Bardiya National Park

October 9th & 10th

    

     We had heard that if you're lucky, you might have a shot at catching a glimpse of wild tiger in Bardiya National Park, about a hour away by motorcycle.  Netra and Coolraj took us three quarters of the way to the park via motorcycle, at which point our pals than hooked us up with a local guide who took the four of us on foot into the jungle. At this particular point, we weren't in the National Park, and had no idea what we were getting in to.

     It was sweltering hot, and the thick jungle bush scratched our legs. Swarms of ants and other insects keep you from standing in one place for too long, as do the leeches (who had a special affinity for Nate).  We walked for about five minutes before we saw an enormous rhino and her baby wallowing in a muddy swamp.  

             Mamma rhino and her baby

Our guide got the rhino's attention by making pig noises; not to worry, he was carrying a big stick. Yes, I'm serious. When the rhino became irritated enough with the pig noises, she began to crash about as she led her baby further in to the bush. The commotion sent myself and Netra scampering up a tree! 

Mamma in the process of "peacing the scene"

     That night, Netra and Coolraj stayed with an Uncle while Nate and I spent the night at a homestay just around the corner.  For minimal cost, we stayed in a mud hut on a local family's farm.  The whole showering at a water pump thing went down again.

Our mud hut is at left, and the family's home is 

at Center

Greeted by a buffalo on the way to the outhouse

     Before they went back home the next morning, our friends took us the rest the way to the National Park where Nate and I checked into a cottage at the Park's edge.  Two twenty-something year old guides took Nate and I into the jungle on foot for the day to try and see a tiger.  Have no fear; these guides were also carrying big sticks.  It's hard to sufficiently describe the intensity of the heat and humidity. 

    Locals herding their goats through the Park

     We hiked around a couple different watering holes, and saw the tail of a elephant swishing back and forth in the tall grass. We saw another massive rhino chilling out in the watering hole. When this beast became irritated enough with our presence (they have poor sight, but amazing smell), it began to  crash about, again, sending all four of us up a tree. We also caught a glimpse of a crocodile lurking in the water.

This tank turned us into expert tree climber in

seconds

A twisted bridge we walked across. Crocs are here!

             Hot and filthy, but all smiles

     Our guides lead us to another watering hole while we waited in silence for three hours, hoping to see a tiger. It's amazing where you can learn to take naps.  Deer and birds started their warning calls, and finally, we heard two impressive roars, and watched as a beautiful wild tiger swam across the watering hole.  Amazing!

                  Making its way across

            Such a beautiful animal