Bardia National Park Safari - Day 7

 


No riding today so the butts get a rest. Instead we are going on Safari in the National park. This park is around 950 square kilometres and is home to unicorn rhinorceros, bengal tiger and asiatic elephants to name a few. Around 150 tigers inhabit the area so to see one in this would be a stroke of luck.

The day started early and we were ready for our safari by 7.00 AM. On entry to the park we were greeted by a pack of monkeys. One of them took a dislike to Michael taking it picture and hissed and snarled at him. We were shown a tiger who unfortunately had to be detained because he was having trouble for the local people, and a rhino who was orphaned and partly blind. He didn't want to be released and kept returning to the people who rescued him, Ann was lucky enough to give him a rub on the nose and horn and he seemed to enjoy it.


We also got the see an elephant who unfortunately has cancer in her front left foot and rear right hip. They are really looking after the animals here. We eventually entered the park and made our way through the countless termite mounds, strangler figs and jungle. Memories of Rudyard Kipling's Jungle book started to come to mind. Would we see Bahgeera, Bahloo, here Khan, Mowgli and Kaa during the day? Well it seems a few were beyond our reach but Shere Khan made an appearance although it was in the distance. Even so to see a Bengal Tiger in the wild was an experience not many will ever get, and we were blessed with its presence. We saw plenty of paw prints and one had 3 cubs in tow so it is refreshing to see they are reproducing.

We came across plenty of deer of all types and monkeys, and down by the river we even saw a freshwater dolphin. Now I hear you asking where are the pictures of these elusive animals. Well when we were packing I debated whether to bring the camera with the long lens or not. We decided not to because of the fragility and being on bikes it would be difficult to handle. Guess who is kicking himself for not bringing it now!


We had a lovely lunch prepared by the hotel and did some more touring, and then the fun began. We went to a waterhole on the hope of finding a tiger or rhino. There was a damp patch in the middle of the track and our driver thought he could make it through. In a 4WD he probably would have but we were in a 2WD TATA and you guessed it, we were bogged. it took all of us about 30 minuted to free the vehicle and a few of us got muddy but it was another experience not many will get.


With the vehicle finally free we drove around a bit more and avoided any signs of water in the track. A few more deer were spotted and a few more monkeys and soon it was time to exit. We spent a full 11 hours in the park and the experience was well worth it even if it was just for the scenery. On our exit we stopped to see the Crocodile Hatchery and the different types of crocs. (See my facebook pics for these) Our day in the National Park was done but our day not over.

Arriving back at the resort we had a couple of drinks and snacks and went back to the room for a hot shower. Dinner was at 7.30 and we had a surprise in store for us at 8.00PM. Prabin had organised traditional dancers for us. They danced and sang for the best part of an hour and we were invited up to dance with them. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the show and after photos and thanks everyone retired for the night. Then it was straight into this blog!


What a day to remember!

Day 8 - Bardia NP to Lumbini

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