Hello guys, this is Part 3 of my Bijrani Zone Safari 2025, which follows the 2nd day staying at the Forest Rest House.
Here, I go on to explore the wild jungles of the Bijrani Zone and have numerous wild animals spotted. If you missed Parts 1 and 2 of my series, you can find them here:
You can also visit my YouTube Channel and watch the complete videos there, which will take you on a virtual safari experience across the Bijrani Zone. Don’t forget to hit the Subscribe Button.
This blog is of the 2nd day morning jeep safari session that started directly from the Bijrani FRH and continued for a good 3+ hours. Once again, this was my last trip to the Jim Corbett National Park, before it closes for the monsoon season.
So let’s get started with me on this virtual wildlife exploration to experience some of the amazing moments I experienced in the wild jungle of Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve.
Table of Contents
Starting my Morning with Hot Chai before the Bijrani Zone Safari Starts
The morning started pretty early at 5 AM, when I came out of my room and stepped outside the corridor of the Bijrani Forest Rest House. It was silent everywhere, and the only sound I could hear was that of the birds chirping around the FRH campus. It was so soothing and peaceful that I wished I could stay here forever, and this moment may never end.
I shortly got my hot cup of tea from the houseboy who takes care of the Bijrani FRH. I looked everywhere, and all I could see was a vast expanse of beautiful jungles. It seemed as if the jungles were telling me to come close to them and explore their true beauty, which lies inside: It’s wild animals and birds.
I stood outside for a while sipping my hot cup of chai and feeling the waking up of the surrounding jungles slowly as the sun rose further. I started taking a stroll in the FRH ground, and it appeared so serene and beautiful. No vehicle, no noise, no pollution, and pure silence.
Within a few moments, the forest guard came and opened the entrance gate. But, for safety reasons, people are not allowed to go out of the boundary as it may prove dangerous. The entire Bijrani Forest Lodge is protected by electric fencing, and once the gate is opened in the morning, the electric connection is deactivated.
Getting Ready for the Morning Safari in Bijrani Zone
In a short while, my safari jeep was ready to go, and I too got ready and started with the 2nd day wildlife exploration inside the Bijrani Zone. I was again joined by Naturalist Bhuvan Pandey, who accompanied me for the first day also.
As I started moving forward in my jeep, I got to know from Mr. Pandey and my driver that since last night, no alarm call has been heard in the nearby areas. Although I was hopeful that I would end up spotting some exciting wild animals and birds today, I was still hoping to spot a tiger, as that would be the ultimate wildlife spotting experience.
Shortly after reaching a few hundred metres ahead, I crossed a small mandir, which is a common tiger spotting place.
I discovered from Mr. Pandey that a female tigress was active in the Bijrani Zone region, and many other jeeps had spotted it a few days back. Hearing this, my excitement rose to another level, and I was hoping that maybe I would end up spotting her today. In search of the tigress, I reached a point and stopped the jeep. I stayed there for a while to see if I could find her somewhere.
Sudden Appearance of Tiger Pug Marks on the Safari Road
Suddenly, I saw pugmarks of a tiger on the road from where I had just arrived. This was a complete surprise to me as I was not expecting them so close to my jeep. I observed them, and they seemed to be fresh ones.
No other jeep was there, so I thought maybe I had a greater probability of finding her somewhere in these forests as the Bijrani Zone Safari continued. In the hope of this, I continued with the journey, as my driver kept on driving the jeep forward.
Arriving at an Open Land filled with Hills and Dry Water Streams
After driving for a while, I reached a spot in the Jim Corbett Bijrani Zone where there were numerous hills and dry land areas filled with rocks. A thin stream of spring water flowed on both sides of the road, and this entire area will be flooded once the monsoon rains completely submerge the roads.
Since no sign of a tiger was to be found anywhere, I decided to move to the other side of the Bijrani Zone Forests. Upon arriving there, I immediately spotted a jackal sitting on the road in front of our jeep a few tens of metres ahead. They are found mostly during early morning or evening hours, and that’s the time they stay active the most.
One of them was healthy, while the other one appeared to be quite sick. They are usually found in small groups. They never leave their counterparts alone and always stay beside them in case one is sick or injured.
Suddenly, my attention fell on a woolly-necked stork on the other side. The jackal was also keeping a close eye on the bird and finding the best chance to hunt and kill it for its next meal.
After spotting the bird for a while, I continued further ahead into the remaining part of the Bijrani Zone Safari. There were dense jungles in front of me, and an excitement to find the tiger.
Took a little Detour & decided to explore an offbeat forest Segment
After driving for a while, I reached a location in the Bijrani Zone of Corbett National Park, which had a road going sideways, and most probably the path through which I saw the elephant group coming yesterday. My driver turned the jeep to the right, and all of us started moving forward on the thin pathway ahead, filled with dense bushes and trees on both sides.
It was quite a dangerous road because, in case you encounter a tiger or an elephant on the road, it would be a little difficult to turn around speedily. But that’s what true wildlife adventure is all about. Exploring the unexplored regions of the wild in the hope of spotting your favourite wild animals.
While driving forward, I also encountered various patches of elephant dung all around the road. This acts as a natural fertilizer for the plantation in the region. But after driving for a while, we reached a dead-end and decided to turn back. There was no road in front of us.
Reaching the Central Part of the Bijrani Zone in Search of Tiger
After turning back, my driver drove the jeep for a while and reached the central part of the Jim Corbett Bijrani Zone area. There was a vast expanse of land, and the road passed through it. There were beautiful trees all around and hills in the backside. Overall, a great scenic place and a pretty common photogenic spot for anyone crossing from here.
I stopped there for a while, trying my best with my binoculars to look everywhere in search of a tiger. I tried for a while but couldn’t see anything anywhere nearby.
But suddenly I spotted a male sambar deer at a far-off distance, trying to stay alert for any danger nearby. Seeing his body language, it seemed that a tiger was active nearby somewhere in the Bijrani Zone Jungles.
After a while, I too left that place and continued forward.
After driving for a while, I reached a place that is often less travelled by tourists. I was surprised to see the fresh pug marks of a tiger on the road on which the jeep was driving. It appeared to be the pug marks of a male tiger.
Seeing those pug marks shot my excitement through the roof as I knew for sure the tiger was around somewhere. It’s just a matter of time before I find him. Male tigers usually have broader and bigger pug marks as compared to female tigers.
I followed the trail of the pug marks to see if we could find him anywhere in the vicinity, but hard luck! Doing this, I reached the point where the Garjiya zone starts. There was another jeep standing there just like us. I stayed there for a while, and after waiting for a while, I decided to head back. Garjiya Zone was earlier part of Bijrani Zone, but now is a separate entity in the Jim Corbett National Park.
Spotted an Elephant Deep in the Bijrani Zone Jungles (Male Tusker)
While I was returning, I saw a male tusker deep in the jungles using my binoculars. He was standing still and had lots of mud on his body. This is done by them to cool off from the intense heat of the summer season.
Suddenly, I heard strong alarm calls of a peacock from far off and turned my Bijrani Safari Jeep towards that.
As I followed the trajectory where the alarm call was coming from, I reached a spot and saw a hawk eagle sitting on the branch of a tree. As I looked more carefully, I saw that it had hunted a baby peacock and was eating it sitting on the tree’s branch.
The alarm call was the mother peacock’s painful cry as her child was killed by a hawk eagle. Nature really amazes me, and in this food chain of superiority, only the fittest ones survive.
Heading back to the Bijrani Forest Rest House
After seeing all of this, I decided to head back to the Bijrani FRH as the time of the morning safari session was approaching its end. The main reason I was able to witness all of the wildlife and amazing dynamics of nature is that I followed the alarm calls and relentlessly kept moving towards them. It takes patience, persistence, and the ability to stay motivated to spot your favourite animals and birds.
After driving for a couple of minutes, I reached the Forest Lodge, and that brings me to the end of the Bijrani Zone Safari.
All the day safari jeeps had left by the time I returned to the FRH. I too reached the room, packed all my stuff, and checked out of the accommodation. While heading back to the entry gate of the Bijrani Zone, as I was leaving the Bijrani FRH, I saw another pair of jackals around. There was one male and one female. The male one was keeping a check around for any danger. The female was busy digging a hole for a hideout.
I hope you enjoyed this virtual Bijrani Zone Safari with me. Until next time, stay tuned for more such exciting wildlife stories.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Garjiya Zone a Part of Bijrani Zone?
No, Garjiya Zone and Bijrani Zone are both separate regions of the Jim Corbett National Park. Earlier, Garjiya was part of Bijrani, but then it got separated as its own distinct zone. Bijrani is a Core Zone of Jim Corbett, and Garjiya offers an off-beat location for nature and wildlife exploration.
What Time does the Bijrani Zone Safari start for the morning session?
The Safari starts at around 5:30 AM to 6 AM in the morning, depending on the weather conditions. It lasts for around 3+ hours. The driver driver and your guide will take you through the entire circle of the Bijrani region.
How to identify whether Pug marks are of a Male or Female Tiger?
Male tigers have broader and bigger pug marks while female tigers have a bit smaller pug marks. This is a major factor that will help you identify if the pug marks are of male or female tiger.
When is the electric fencing of the Bijrani FRH campus deactivated?
Each morning, the forest guard deactivates the electric fencing just before opening the gate of the Forest Rest House. In the evening, when the Forest Rest House closes for the day, the guard activates the electric fencing again. This ensures that no wild animal can barge into the campus and harm the people inside.
What should I pack for my Bijrani Zone Safari?
To understand the various categories of items that you should pack while going on a Bijrani Zone safari, read my full checklist of items that contains essential and additional items. It covers everything that you can need during the safari sessions, be it during morning or afternoon.
