First day of New Safari Season
The much-awaited day for all wildlife lovers in India has finally arrived. After a wait of three months on account of annual rains, most of the prominent national parks in India have reopened today for visitors. Wildlife lovers can now visit their favourite national parks namely Ranthambore National Park, Sariska National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Kanha Tiger Reserve, Pech National Park, Panna Tiger Reserve, Satpura National Park, Tadoba National Park, Jim Corbett National Park and other parks in India. Jeep safari is the most popular way for wildlife viewing in India and is much in demand, especially in popular destinations.
Safari permits for all these parks are to be booked prior and the advance period ranges from 365 days to 45 days. Safari permits for Ranthambore National Park can be booked 365 days prior whereas parks in Central India have a 120 days prior window, Jim Corbett safaris can be booked 45 days before. Some of the lesser-known parks and zones can be booked last minute as well, however, we do strongly recommend that one should plan a trip 3-4 months in advance to avoid any inconveniences.
What's New this Season- Before we share today's sighting across various National parks in India here's a summary of new rules and regulations introduced across parks. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of rules/ guidelines and more additions are expected in due course.
Weekly off at Ranthambore- Ranthambore National Park will remain closed on Wednesday full day for visitors starting 1st October 2023. Eventually zones 1-5 will remain closed on Tuesday and zones 6-10 will remain closed on every Tuesday.
Hike in Safari costs for Parks in Central India- There has been a revision in safari costs for parks in MP and Tadoba. The increased rates for Tadoba are already available but there is suspense over safari costs for MP Parks. Safari permits for MP parks are getting booked at previous rates as of now, the differential amount will be payable at the time of safari. Do check with your agent/ safari service provider regarding new safari rates.
Introduction of Camera fee in Corbett National Park - Corbett National Park has not only increased fees for regular jeep safaris and stays in Forest Rest Houses, but they have also proposed to introduce a camera fee as already applicable in some National Parks of India. More details on this are still awaited and we will share more information as soon as it is published.
Highlights of Day One of Park Opening across National Parks in India
Safaris started this morning as per schedule and we have encouraging sighting reports from most of the parks on day one. Let us take a look at day-one sightings in each park.
Ranthambore National Park- The news of the birth of new cubs in the tourism area before the closing of the park in June had almost set the tone for the coming season. There were some concerns around the safety of the cubs on account of local tiger dynamics though. The sighting of Riddhi, the current queen and resident of the lake area of the park with her three small cubs today morning brought not only relief to wildlife lovers but also raised expectations of much-awaited action around the lakes. Her partner and father of the cubs T 120 a popular male from the tourism area was also sighted during morning as well as evening safaris. There are also reports of sightings in Zone 4 - a popular zone for tiger sightings and in Zone 10 where male tiger T108 was sighted in evening safari time. Zone 10 was the zone with the maximum sightings last season and also had frequent sightings during the monsoon period.
Kanha National Park- Another popular wildlife destination in Central India, visitors at Kanha were lucky to witness multiple sightings across the tourism zones of Mukki and Kanha. There are reports of sightings of Mohini and Junior Bajrang in the Kanha Zone whereas Sharmili, Bijli, cubs of Dhawajhandi female, MB 3 female and T 46 and a leopard on the tree were sighted in the Mukki Zone across morning and evening safaris.
Bandhavgarh National Park- Another popular destination to see wild tigers in their natural habitat, Bandhavgarh has a fan base of its own. There are reports of sightings of Gauri Male in the Khitauli zone of Bandhavgarh.
Panna National Park- reported sighting of P 652 with 2 cubs in the evening safari on the day of park opening.
Tadoba National Park- there are reports of sightings of Maya's sub-adult male cub and another tigress in the Agrazari buffer zone of Tadoba, T 178 male tiger in the Belara buffer zone, Junabai tigress in Madnapur and Kolara Buffers, K mark female in Kesalghat buffer, Male tiger Mowgli was sighted in Kolara Core zone during evening safari.
Sariska Tiger Reserve- Yuvraj male, another popular tiger from the tourism zone of Sariska was also sighted on the first day of the new season.
Pench National Park- sighting report of Patdev female with cubs and group of four leopards in morning safari and Bindu Tigress with Kill in the afternoon safari.
Overall, the new season looks promising across all parks and we will continue to share more safari-related news and updates with you as the season progresses.
What's New this Season- Before we share today's sighting across various National parks in India here's a summary of new rules and regulations introduced across parks. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of rules/ guidelines and more additions are expected in due course.
Weekly off at Ranthambore- Ranthambore National Park will remain closed on Wednesday full day for visitors starting 1st October 2023. Eventually zones 1-5 will remain closed on Tuesday and zones 6-10 will remain closed on every Tuesday.
Hike in Safari costs for Parks in Central India- There has been a revision in safari costs for parks in MP and Tadoba. The increased rates for Tadoba are already available but there is suspense over safari costs for MP Parks. Safari permits for MP parks are getting booked at previous rates as of now, the differential amount will be payable at the time of safari. Do check with your agent/ safari service provider regarding new safari rates.
Introduction of Camera fee in Corbett National Park - Corbett National Park has not only increased fees for regular jeep safaris and stays in Forest Rest Houses, but they have also proposed to introduce a camera fee as already applicable in some National Parks of India. More details on this are still awaited and we will share more information as soon as it is published.
Highlights of Day One of Park Opening across National Parks in India
Safaris started this morning as per schedule and we have encouraging sighting reports from most of the parks on day one. Let us take a look at day-one sightings in each park.
Ranthambore National Park- The news of the birth of new cubs in the tourism area before the closing of the park in June had almost set the tone for the coming season. There were some concerns around the safety of the cubs on account of local tiger dynamics though. The sighting of Riddhi, the current queen and resident of the lake area of the park with her three small cubs today morning brought not only relief to wildlife lovers but also raised expectations of much-awaited action around the lakes. Her partner and father of the cubs T 120 a popular male from the tourism area was also sighted during morning as well as evening safaris. There are also reports of sightings in Zone 4 - a popular zone for tiger sightings and in Zone 10 where male tiger T108 was sighted in evening safari time. Zone 10 was the zone with the maximum sightings last season and also had frequent sightings during the monsoon period.
Kanha National Park- Another popular wildlife destination in Central India, visitors at Kanha were lucky to witness multiple sightings across the tourism zones of Mukki and Kanha. There are reports of sightings of Mohini and Junior Bajrang in the Kanha Zone whereas Sharmili, Bijli, cubs of Dhawajhandi female, MB 3 female and T 46 and a leopard on the tree were sighted in the Mukki Zone across morning and evening safaris.
Bandhavgarh National Park- Another popular destination to see wild tigers in their natural habitat, Bandhavgarh has a fan base of its own. There are reports of sightings of Gauri Male in the Khitauli zone of Bandhavgarh.
Panna National Park- reported sighting of P 652 with 2 cubs in the evening safari on the day of park opening.
Tadoba National Park- there are reports of sightings of Maya's sub-adult male cub and another tigress in the Agrazari buffer zone of Tadoba, T 178 male tiger in the Belara buffer zone, Junabai tigress in Madnapur and Kolara Buffers, K mark female in Kesalghat buffer, Male tiger Mowgli was sighted in Kolara Core zone during evening safari.
Sariska Tiger Reserve- Yuvraj male, another popular tiger from the tourism zone of Sariska was also sighted on the first day of the new season.
Pench National Park- sighting report of Patdev female with cubs and group of four leopards in morning safari and Bindu Tigress with Kill in the afternoon safari.
Overall, the new season looks promising across all parks and we will continue to share more safari-related news and updates with you as the season progresses.
