Monday, March 10, 2025

পান্নায় হীরা পান্না -  into the wild : Exploring Panna Tiger Reserve


 Itinerary


13.03.2025 - 14.03.25  HWH (2340 hrs) - Satna (1505 hrs) by Mumbai Mail ( Ticket Rs 1368/-)

14.03.2025 Satna (1635 hrs) > Aryan Riverside Camp - 45 Km ( by Car arranged by resort -3000/- for 5 passenger) NH at Aryan Riverside Camp (@Rs 5,000 per room for 2 people - all food included)

15.03.2025  Morning + Evening Safari - both at Madla+ Night Safari - NH at Aryan Riverside Camp 

16.03.2025  Morning at Madla + Evening Safari at Akola - NH at Aryan Riverside Camp 

17.03.2025  Morning Safari at Madla > Aryan Riverside Camp 

17.03.2025 Aryan Riverside Camp>Lucknow Airport - 320 Km, 7 hr 31 minutes  (2100) > CCU (2235 - Rs 5500)

5 Travelers: Soma, Sourabh, Mohua, Siba Prasad , Dipankar. One person dropped out



Panna Tiger Reserve, a jewel of Madhya Pradesh's wilderness, is known for its rich biodiversity, deep gorges, plateaus, and dense teak forests. Spanning 542 sq. km, it was declared a tiger reserve in 1994 as part of Project Tiger. The Ken River, which flows through the park, enhances its beauty and Ken Gharial Sanctuary, located within the reserve, is a haven for crocodiles.

🚪 Main Entry Gates of Panna Tiger Reserve. Unlike other forests, you can enter from Madla / Akola gate and come out of Hinota gate (say). The only consideration is the travel time. We entered from Madla gate and saw tiger at Hinota gate zone and initially thought we saw it at Hinota. At one point it overlaps. Unlike Ranthambhor, they do not fine for changing the Gates.

1️⃣ Hintota/Hinouta Gate (Hinauta Range) – Western Side

  • Closest to Khajuraho (~30 km)
  • Known for steep gorges and vulture point

2️⃣ Madla Gate (Madla Range) – Southern Side

  • The most popular and busiest entry gate
  • Closest to Panna town (~25 km) and Khajuraho (~22 km)
  • Entry point for most jeep safaris

3️⃣ Akola Gate (Akola Zone) – South-West Side - should not be the preferred zone and it is  30 Km from Madla gate : quite far; we had to pay Rs 2000 extra just to commute to Akola gate and back to our resort. Safari car will not come to Akola to pick you up , if you stay near Madla gate

4️⃣ Hathni Gate (Buffer Zone - Jinna Area) - It is not very far from Madla

  • This is the place for Night safari - Charges Rs 4500/-

🛶 Special Entry Points

🔹 Ken Gharial Sanctuary Entry –

  • Located outside the Core zone, offering boat safaris & crocodile spotting for 15 minutes @ Rs 150/-

🔹 Jinna Buffer Zone Entry (Near Ken Gahrial Sanctuary)

  • Good for night safaris 

🚗 Best Gate for Your Safari?

✔ For first-time visitors & better tiger sighting chances – Madla Gate

The booking of the permit (@ Rs 2500 + Commission of Rs 500 for booking per permit) was done by my trusted and very knowledgeable friend Avijit Ganguly who runs a wildlife magazine Aranyok and a "Company" for Wild life safaris (only). 

avijitwildlife@gmail.com / +91 94330 67783 / +91 98319 18004

🗓️ Day 1: March 13-14, 2025 (Thursday-Friday) – Overnight Train (23:40) to Satna

We paid Rs 250 to the Taxi, booked through Yatri Sathi.

📍 Journey: Howrah → Satna

🔹 23:40 PM (March 13) – Board Mumbai Mail (Train No. 12321) from Howrah Junction.

🗓️ Day 2: March 14, 2025 (Friday) – Arrival at Aryan Riverside Camp

🔹 17:05 PM (March 14) – Arrive at Satna Railway Station 

Our adventure begins with an overnight train journey from Howrah to Satna, followed by a scenic drive to Aryan Riverside Camp, our eco-friendly retreat nestled by the Ken River.
 (@Rs 5,000 per room for 2 people - all food included)


🔹 17:15 PM – Depart from Satna Train Station to Aryan Riverside Camp (~45 km, ~2 hrs)

🔹 16:15 PM – Tea at local Dhaba. Most of the tea shops were closed due to Holi. In the process we missed the Pandav falls which is on the way to the resort, since it was dark. If you want to see the falls do not stop on the way to the resort.

🔹 19:30 PM – Arrive at Aryan Riverside Camp, an offbeat riverside stay surrounded by pristine wilderness.
🔹 21:30 PM – Dinner at the camp with local Bundelkhandi cuisine.

📍 Night Halt: Aryan Riverside Camp

  • The road from Satna to Panna is a mix of smooth and some uneven patches, but overall, it is fairly motorable. The last stretch towards Aryan Riverside Camp is through forested terrain, making the approach scenic .

🗓️ Day 3: March 15, 2025 (Saturday) – Morning & Evening Safari

📍 Night Halt: Aryan Riverside Camp

Morning Safari

🔹 04:30 AM – Wake-up call, quick tea/coffee.
🔹 05:45 AM – Depart for Madla Gate
🔹 06:20 AM – Depart for Safari (Morning entry: 6:00 AM - 11:30 AM).We took some pillow from           the resort. The roads inside the Park are rough, because they did not use morrum.
🔹 09:00 AM – Toilet break and breakfast - Packed breakfast inside the Park 
🔹 11:30 AM – Exit the park and return to Aryan Riverside Camp (~05 min drive).

Sightings : Tiger 141, 151 and many birds




Afternoon at the Resort

🔹 12:00 PM – Power nap
🔹 01:30 PM – Lunch at the resort.

Evening Safari

🔹 14:30 PM  – Depart for  Madla gate
🔹  15:00 PM – Safari (Evening entry: 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM).
🔹 18:05 PM – Exit the park and return to the camp

Sightings : Tiger 151 with a kill and many birds


Night Safari
🔹 18:30 PM  – Depart for  Jinna Gate 
🔹 19:00 PM  – Night Safari
🔹 20:00 PM – Dinner by the Ken River, enjoying the sounds of the jungle.

Sightings : zero sighting

##    The Panna night safari starts from 6.30 pm to 9.00 pm. And it happens only in the buffer zones.Ten gypsies are allowed during the night safari.

##    We paid Rs 4500 for Night safari which includes permit + car + guide. It is  30 Km from Madla gate : quite far; we had to pay Rs 2000 extra just to commute to Akola gate and back to our resort. Safari car will not come to Akola to pick you up , if you stay near Madla gate

🗓️ Day 4: March 16, 2025 (Sunday) – More Safaris 

📍 Night Halt: Aryan Riverside Camp

Another thrilling day of morning and evening safaris

Morning Safari

🔹 04:30 AM – Wake-up call, quick tea/coffee.
🔹 05:45 AM – Depart for Madla Gate
🔹 06:00 AM – Depart for Safari (Morning entry: 6:00 AM - 11:30 AM).
🔹 09:00 AM – Toilet break and breakfast - Packed breakfast inside the Park 
🔹 11:30 AM – Exit the park and return to Aryan Riverside Camp (~05 min drive).

Sightings : Tiger 243 (injured due to territorial fight) and many birds





Afternoon at the Resort

🔹 12:00 PM – Power nap
🔹 01:30 PM – Lunch at the resort.

Evening Safari

🔹 14:45 PM  – Depart for  Akola gate
🔹  15:30 PM – Safari (Evening entry: 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM). We were late, becuae it took lot of time                                to reach Akola Gate from our resort near Madla Gate.

🔹 18:30 PM – Exit the park and return to the camp

🔹 19:00 PM – Return to the camp, tea and Pakora.
🔹 21:00 PM – Dinner and sharing safari experiences.

Sightings : No Tiger, but many birds

🗓️ Day 5: March 17, 2025 (Monday) – Final Safari & Departure

📍 Night Journey to Kolkata

Morning Safari

🔹 04:30 AM – Wake-up call, quick tea/coffee.
🔹 05:45 AM – Depart for Madla Gate
🔹 06:00 AM – Depart for Safari (Morning entry: 6:00 AM - 11:30 AM).
🔹 09:00 AM – Boating safari inside the Park and saw crocodile
🔹 10:00 AM – Exit the park and return to Aryan Riverside Camp (~05 min drive).

Sightings : Tiger 151 with 2 suckling cubs











🔹 10:00 AM – Had breakfast at the camp

🔹10:30 AM – Depart for Lucknow Airport (~320 km, ~7.5 hrs). 

🔹13:30 AM – Had some lnch in a dhaba

🔹17:30 AM – Bought Tunde Kababi from Transport Nagar,Lucknow around 1.5 Km from the airport.
🔹18:30 AM – Reached airport.

  If you have time, you must see Ajaigarh Fort on the way (or Kalinjar Fort ) to Lucknow. But there are 2 routes - tell the driver to take the correct route

Evening Flight to Kolkata

🔹 21:00 PM – Board flight from Lucknow to Kolkata.
🔹 22:35 PM – Arrive in Kolkata, marking the end of an incredible wildlife adventure.

About Panna Tiger Reserve

🔹 Location: Madhya Pradesh, India
🔹 Established: 1994 under Project Tiger
🔹 Area: 542 sq. km
🔹 Landscape: Dry deciduous forests, deep gorges, and the Ken River
🔹 Major Wildlife:

  • Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Sloth Bear, Sambar (largest deer), Nilgai (largest antelope), Chinkara, Indian Wolf
  • Birdlife: Over 200 species, including Paradise Flycatcher (state bird of MP), Indian Vulture and Changeable Hawk-Eagle
  • Some of the Birds which we have seen – Grey Hornbill, Nightjar, Green Pigeon, Shikra, Shrike, Plum headed Parakeet,Vulture
  • Tiger population became 0 because of poaching in 2009. So Tiger 151 means , 1- T-1 : 5 - 5th litter of T1 and 1 : 1st litter of T15
  • You have to book from 90th day of the safari date, unlike 45 days of Uttarkhand (Corbett)
  • Famous Attractions:
  • Ken Gharial Sanctuary – Home to gharial crocodiles and turtles
  • Raneh Falls – A stunning natural canyon formed by volcanic rocks
  • Pandav Falls – Mythological connection to the Pandavas from Mahabharata

Why Stay at Aryan Riverside Camp?

Aryan Riverside Camp offers a unique and secluded experience, allowing guests to stay by the Ken River, surrounded by nature and it is only 5 minutes from the Madla Gate.
✔ Quiet and peaceful ambiance, away from the tourist rush

Safari Entry & Exit Timings in Panna Tiger Reserve

🔹 Morning Safari: 6:00 AM - 11:30 AM
🔹 Evening Safari: 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Final Thoughts

Panna seems to be very special -  

# breathtaking terrain (part of Vindhya mountain range),  wonderful forest, 

# amazing sighting, safari timing 6.00 -11.30 am  and Evening from 3.00-6.30 am ! 

# No shortened safari timings like Bandipur / Corbett and no booking scam like Corbett - you can enter from Akola gate and come out of Hinota gate/Mandala gate ! 

# No Camera charges unlike Maharashtra. 

# No aggresive rates like Ranthambhore/Bandipur : Car (2500) + Guide fees (500)  + Permit (2500) - for 6 people, per safari is Rs 1000/- per head approx.

# And not too far from Kolkata. Nearest station is Satna (Mumbai mail from Howrah at 2340 hrs - no need to rush after office and reach next day at 1630 hrs) is only 45 km from Panna - so lesser distance to be covered and lesser amount to be paid to the pick up car ! 

# Very near Khajuraho (25 Km) and Ajaigarh Fort (40 Km). 

# Nice, good value for money Aryan resort -  just beside Ken River on a 5 Acre land @5,000/- per room for 2 people - all foods - Breakfast+L+E+Dinner included, with packed breakfast - 5 minutes from the main Mandla gate...
# Lot of birds inside the resort itself...আর কি চাই ?



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Corbett - Gairal and Bharatpur Tour 2025

 🐅Wild Trails : Our Jim Corbett & Bharatpur Bird sactuary Journey 🦜

Itinerary

27.03.2025   Kolkata (0055 hrs) - Delhi (0325 hrs) by Air India (Return Ticket Rs 10,000)

27.03.2025 Ramnagar (1145 hrs) > Dhangarhi Gate (1215) - 290 Km > Gairal (1415) >Dhikala zone>Gairal (1615) 

28.03.2025 Gairal (0615 hrs) > Dhikala Zone > Dhikala-1015 : Dhikala-1415 >Dhikala Zone>Gairal (Dhikala-1815)

29.03.2025 Gairal (0615 hrs) > Dhikala Zone > Dhikala-1015 : Dhikala-1415 >Dhikala Zone>Gairal (Dhikala-1815)

30.03.2025   Gairal (0615 hrs) > Dhikala Zone >Gairal (Dhikala-1015) : Gairal >Dhanagarhi gate - 1115 >Bharatpur (NH)

31.03.2025   Bharatpur (NH)

01.03.2025   Bharatpur (NH) > Delhi

02.03.2025    Delhi (0200 hrs) - Kolkata (0415 hrs)

Meet the Adventurers

Our group for this thrilling adventure consists of 5 travellers:

  • Sourabh (the planner and narrator of this journey)
  • Mohua dropped out due to some family exigiency
  • Jaideep & Sanchita (joining from CR Park, Delhi, with their own car)
  • Sampa
  • Soma
  • Additionally, Dr Pranab Datta aka Jadu Kaka joined us later from Delhi on March 30, 2025 at Iora Guest House (near Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary) with his family

About Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park, established in 1936 as Hailey National Park, is India's oldest and one of its most prestigious tiger reserves. Located in Uttarakhand, the park spans 1,318 sq. km, including 520 sq. km of core area. It is home to Royal Bengal Tigers, leopards, elephants, gharials, deer species and more than 600 bird species.

The morning safari timing is - 0615-1015 and evening safari timing is 1415-1815

Corbett’s Safari Zones:

The park is divided into 6 major zones:

  1. Dhikala Zone – The most premium and sought-after zone, known for its vast grasslands, high tiger population, and stunning river views. The rest houses near the Dhangarhi gate are: Sultan > Gairal > Sarpadhuli > Dhikala. Dhikala is furthest from the Dhangarhi gate
  2. Bijrani Zone – Dense forested area with a mix of sal trees and open meadows.
  3. Jhirna Zone – Open all year round and known for frequent sloth bear and leopard sightings.
  4. Dhela Zone – Rich in birdlife, making it a great spot for birdwatching.
  5. Garjiya Zone – Relatively new, ideal for nature lovers and photographers.
  6. Durga Devi Zone – A hilly terrain, best for spotting mahseer fish and elephants near the Ramganga River.

Wildlife in Dhikala Zone (Jim Corbett National Park) 🐅🌳

Dhikala is the most biodiverse and sought-after zone in Jim Corbett National Park. The mix of dense forests, riverbanks, and vast grasslands (chaurs) makes it an ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife.

🔹 Mammals Found in Dhikala:

  1. Royal Bengal Tiger 🐅 – The star attraction, often seen in the grasslands and near water bodies.
  2. Leopard 🐆 – More elusive than tigers, found in rocky and forested areas.
  3. Asiatic Elephant 🐘 – Herds frequently roam the Ramganga riverbanks.
  4. Sloth Bear 🐻 – Sightings are rare, but they do exist in the dense forests.
  5. Wild Boar 🐗 – Commonly seen, especially near the chaurs.
  6. Spotted Deer (Chital) 🦌 – The most commonly spotted deer in the park.
  7. Sambar Deer 🦌 – A preferred prey of tigers, found in denser parts of Dhikala.
  8. Barking Deer  – Shy and solitary, often heard rather than seen.
  9. Hog Deer – Found mostly in the grasslands of Dhikala.
  10. Gharial & Mugger Crocodile 🐊 – Seen in the Ramganga River.
  11. Otters – Playful and often seen near the riverbanks.

🔹 Birds Found in Dhikala: 🦜

Dhikala is a paradise for birdwatchers, with over 600 bird species recorded! Some highlights include:

  1. Crested Serpent Eagle – Often seen perched on high branches.
  2. Fish Eagle – Spotted near water bodies.
  3. Osprey – A migratory bird often seen diving for fish.
  4. Hornbill – Found in the dense forested areas.
  5. Ruddy Shelduck  – Seen in flocks near the river.
  6. Changeable Hawk-Eagle – A common raptor.
  7. Black Stork – Found wading near water sources.
  8. Kingfishers (Pied, White-throated, Common, and Stork-billed) – Found along the riverbanks.
  9. Himalayan Griffon Vulture – Seen soaring in the sky.
  10. Peafowl (Peacock) – A common sight throughout the park.
  11. Barbet - Lineated, Coppersmith, Blue throated

Why Dhikala zone is Special  ?

  • Dhikala is the largest and most scenic part of Corbett, renowned for its grasslands (chaurs) where tiger sightings are most frequent. It is definitely the most picturesque of all the National Parks in India.

  • Staying inside the Dhikala Zone is  allowed only at forest rest houses (FRHs). There is no private property here.

  • Day visitors can enter via Canter safari, but they are not allowed to stay overnight. These visitors do not access the core zones, as they mostly stick to the main roads—limiting the chances of significant wildlife sightings.

  • People staying in other zones are not allowed to enter Dhikala zone.
  • The Ramganga River runs through Dhikala, making it a prime area for wildlife movement.
  • This zone is also famous for elephant herds, crocodiles, and raptors/birds of prey.

         Sultan/ Gairal / Sarpadhuli Forest Rest House 

  • Staying at these rest houses gives you early access to core areas—unlike outside lodges.

    • Distance from Dhikala:

      • Sultan: ~1 hour away

      • Gairal: ~45 minutes (17 km)

      • Sarpadhuli: ~35 minutes

    Hence, if you're not staying at Dhikala FRH, you must return earlier to avoid fines. The main sighting area is Dhikala.

    • Food:

      • Only vegetarian food is served. Prices: ₹500 (Dhikala), ₹400 (Gairal).

      • Personally found it overpriced—e.g., 2 toasted breads with butter and an omelette cost ₹120 at Dhikala!

      • Outside food is not allowed.

    • Network:

      • No mobile network in Dhikala or Gairal (we had Airtel, Jio, BSNL, Vodafone—none worked).

      • Only a faint signal exists near one pole in Dhikala.

    • The whole tour is booked through Banzaara Travels. Booking safari in Corbett has become a big scam. So we were forced to book through Banzaara Travels. We were in touch with Priyanka - who did everything for us. We paid Rs 120,000 for 6 people for 6 safaris - without food (from Ramnagar to Ramnagar)

📅 Date-Wise Itinerary

🛫 March 27, 2025 – The Journey Begins

  • 00:55 AM – Flight from Kolkata (CCU) to Delhi (T3) via Air India.

  • 03:25 AM – Arrival in Delhi.

  • 04:15 AM – Our car (arranged by Banzaara Travels) picked us up. Jaideep and Sanchita joined from Sarai Kale Khan.

  • 09:00 AM – Breakfast at the well-known (but expensive) Mama Yadav restaurant.

  • 11:30 AM – After a 6-hour drive, we reached Ramnagar, bought 45 litres of water, parked our car at Ringora, and headed to Dhangarhi gate, where our driver Mushaid was waiting.

  • 12:30 PM – Completed entry formalities and entered the park.

  • 01:30 PM – Checked in at Gairal FRH inside Dhikala Zone. We had snacks for lunch.

Gairal FRH: Offers more peace and privacy than Dhikala FRH. Located right next to the Ramganga River—ideal for spotting gharials, otters, and even tigers. Due to dense tree cover, tiger sightings from the rest house are unlikely (unlike Sarpadhuli or possibly Sultan - I have not visited Sultan).

🌿 Evening Safari (02:15 PM – 06:15 PM)

Our first safari in Corbett's wild terrain. We explored dense sal forests, riverbanks, and grasslands.

  • Sighting: Two 15-month-old tiger cubs and a tiger crossing the road.

  • 06:15 PM – Returned to Gairal FRH.

Dinner: Skipped the overpriced vegetarian meal. Had Maggi, Anda Bhurji, and Bread Omelette instead.

The vegetarian dinner costs Rs 400 ! 

 🐾 March 28, 2025 – Into the Heart of Corbett

🐾 March 28, 2025 – Into the Heart of Corbett

  • 06:15 AM – 10:15 AM – Morning Safari: No tigers, but plenty of birds.

  • 10:15 AM – 02:15 PM – Break at Dhikala. We didn't return to Gairal to save time. Had a light breakfast at 1030 am and snacks at 1330 pm.

    • Snacks counter has reasonably priced items.

    • Didn't opt for pricy lunch (₹500) at  the main Restaurant 

    • Relaxed —There is a nice place beside the Dhikala Reception, where we took some rest and had chitchat

  • 02:15 PM – 06:15 PM – Evening Safari:

    • Wonderful elephant sightings.

    • Left Dhikala at 5:30 PM to reach Gairal by 6:15 PM.

08:30 PM    Dinner: Skipped again,  had Bread omelette and made Maggi in the room.


🐾 March 29, 2025 – Another Day in the Wild

06:15AM - 10:15 AM – Morning Safari. No Tiger sighting - but lot of birds

  • 10:15 AM – 02:15 PM – Break at Dhikala. We didn't return to Gairal to save time. Had a light breakfast at 1030 am and snacks at 1330 pm.

    • Snacks counter has reasonably priced items.

    • Didn't opt for pricy lunch (₹500) at  the main Restaurant 

    • Relaxed —There is a nice place beside the Dhikala Reception, where we took some rest and had chitchat

🐅 02:15 PM - 06:15 PM – Evening Safari 

  • Explored another section of Dhikala.

  • Finally saw the tiger!

  • Returned to Gairal by 6:15 PM.

08:30 PM    Dinner: Skipped again,  had Bread omelette and made Maggi in the room.

🐾 March 30, 2025 – Final Safari & Transfer to Bharatpur

06:15 AM – 10:15 AM – Last Morning Safari
Our final chance to experience the morning wilderness of Corbett. Although we didn’t spot any tigers, we saw plenty of birds. I spotted the Coppersmith Barbet, Lineated Barbet, and Blue-throated Barbet.

We had to rush back to Gairal and didn’t have the option to stop at Dhikala. Unfortunately, our vehicle had a mechanical issue today, and the driver, Mushaid, took some time to fix it—so our safari time got shortened.

We were told there was a tiger sighting near Gairal FRH, so we hurried back, but unfortunately, we didn’t see it.

11:00 AM – Check-out from Gairal FRH

12:00 PM – Reached Ringora
At this point, our group split into two: Sampadi and I continued on to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, while Didi (Soma) returned to Delhi with Jaideep and Sanchita. Didi will catch her 9:00 PM flight from Delhi to Kolkata. She skipped Bharatpur as she’s leaving for Ladakh on April 3, 2025.

I made a mistake while booking our car to Bharatpur—it’s near Agra. I mistakenly selected the date as 30.04 instead of 30.03!

13:45 PM
Anyway, our trusted Gozocab managed to arrange a car within 1 hour 45 minutes. It will take us to Bharatpur (about 320 km) on an 8-hour journey. The charge was around ₹7,300.

23:10 PM – Arrival in Bharatpur & Check-in at the hotel
We had our dinner at Iora Guest House.


Bharatpur, also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world. Spread over 29 sq. km, it is renowned for its wetlands, marshes, and forests, attracting migratory birds from as far as Siberia, Central Asia, and Europe.

The park is very well-maintained and tourist-friendly. There is no need for advance booking—we booked our visit on the spot. The sanctuary hosts both water birds and land birds, with different zones catering to each terrain type. I had the wrong impression that it was only home to water birds.

Only 4 people can travel in an e-rickshaw. Just as a gypsy is to a national park, the e-rickshaw is the preferred mode of transport inside Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. There are also buggy carts (which can accommodate more than 6 people) and horse carts available.

  • Entry fee: ₹155 for Indians

  • E-rickshaw rental (3 hours): ₹1,200

  • Guide charges: Approximately ₹1,200 (hiring a guide is not mandatory)

  • Bicycle rental: ₹150 for 3 hours

Key Birds in Bharatpur:

  • Siberian Crane – The rarest winter visitor (now extremely rare)

  • Painted Stork – Seen in large numbers, nesting in trees

  • Great White Pelican – Found in flocks near water bodies

  • Bar-headed Goose – Migrates from Central Asia

  • Spot-billed Duck – A resident species

  • Eurasian Spoonbill – Found wading in shallow waters

  • Black-necked Stork – Rare but striking

  • Indian Cormorant & Little Cormorant – Frequently seen fishing

  • Common Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher – Often seen near water bodies

  • Purple Heron & Grey Heron – Common in marshy areas

  • Night Heron – Active during dusk and dawn

  • Sarus Crane – The tallest flying bird in the world, often seen in pairs

  • Indian Roller – Known for its dazzling blue feathers

  • Oriental Darter (Snake Bird) – Often seen swimming with only its head above water

  • Greater Flamingo – Occasionally spotted in the shallower lakes

  • Raptors (Marsh Harrier, Steppe Eagle, Tawny Eagle) – Seen hunting in open areas

Mammals Found in Bharatpur:

Though mainly known for its birdlife, Bharatpur is also home to several mammals:

  • Golden Jackal – Frequently seen along the dirt tracks

  • Nilgai (Blue Bull) – The largest antelope in India, commonly seen grazing

  • Rhesus Macaque & Langur Monkeys – Often seen near temple areas

  • Indian Porcupine – Nocturnal and rarely spotted

  • Indian Python – Occasionally seen basking in the sun

🐦 March 31, 2025 – Exploring Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

06:30 AM – Early morning at Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary), spotting migratory birds like Pelicans, painted storks, Spotted Owl, Copper smith Barbet by an e rickshaw. We saw a King Cobra.

We had our lunch at Iora Guest house.

3:00 PM – 6:00 PM – This afternoon, we once again explored the park and enjoyed a peaceful rickshaw ride through Bharatpur’s beautiful wetlands. Tapul chose to ride a rented e-cycle. Sampa Di did not join us for the evening safari. 


We had our dinner at Iora Guest House.

🚗 April 1, 2025 – Left for Delhi via Fatehpur Sikri and Taj Mahal

10:30 AM – We left for Delhi. Fatehpur Sikri is only 25 km from Bharatpur, so we decided to visit it on the way. There was a huge crowd at Fatehpur Sikri due to Salim Chishti’s Mazar, as it was just after Eid. Due to time constraints, we had to skip Sikandra.

Next, we visited Itmad-ud-Daulah, also known as the Baby Taj, which is considered a prototype of the Taj Mahal. The entry fee is ₹30.

After that, we had lunch at McDonald’s, and then proceeded to visit the Taj Mahal. The entry fee is ₹50, but if you want to go up to the elevated platform near the minaret, there is an additional charge of ₹200. Previously, there was no extra fee, but I was told the new government has imposed it.

9:30 PM – We reached Jadu Kaka’s house in Vasant Kunj, had dinner there, and left for the airport by Uber around 12:00 AM. We were late, but somehow managed to check in at the airport.

🛫 April 2, 2025 – The Final Goodbye

02:00 AM – Our Air India flight departs from Delhi Airport.

04:15 AM – We land in Kolkata, officially concluding our thrilling adventure.



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