Visiting the Sariska Tiger Reserve has always been on my bucket list since I started my wildlife exploration journey. It’s one of the few tiger reserves in our country where the tiger population has almost become extinct, and new ones from other national parks have to be brought here to keep the tiger population intact. It’s a beautiful tiger reserve in Rajasthan and is located near the city of Alwar. This blog is about my experience visiting Sariska on a morning jungle safari in Zone 1 in the hope of spotting some tigers and hopefully having a unique wildlife sighting experience.
Sariska Tiger Reserve is a beautiful National Park located in Rajasthan and is one of the premier tiger-spotting destinations in the country. After National Parks like Jim Corbett, Bandhavgarh, and Kanha, Sariska is another wildlife spotting place in India that is always on the bucket list of tourists who plan to visit the wonderful state of Rajasthan. You can plan your trip to Sariska and pair it with 2-3 other activities to have a more wholesome travel experience in Rajasthan.
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Starting Sariska Tiger Reserve Zone 1 Morning Safari
I started my safari journey sharp at 6 AM, and my jeep was the first one to proceed towards the entry gate area. Although the timing for check-in at the Sariska wildlife park is 6:30 AM, I left a bit early since getting through the documentation also takes time. So, I didn’t want to be late.
How Many Zones are There in Sariska?
There are a total of four safari zones in Sariska Tiger Reserve. As my Morning safari was in zone 1, I have been told by my guide that it’s hugely popular for many tiger sightings, given the perfect combination of luck, timing, patience, and persistence. The main gate from where I entered leads to zones 1, 2, 3, and the famous Pandupol Hanuman Temple.
Are there Peacocks in Sariska Tiger Reserve?
Yes. During permit checking at main entry gate, I spotted a beautiful sight, which was really a treat to the eyes, so early in the morning. I saw a large number of peacocks in front of me, and none of them had many feathers due to their molting period. During this period, they shed their old feathers and regrow new ones.
After a while, my entry formalities were done, and I entered the Sariska Gate 1, beginning a truly adventurous journey into the wild jungles of one of India’s famous National Parks. In that moment, I left the outside world behind to get truly immersed in nature and its authentic beauty.
Quick Facts:
- In 2004-05, tiger population in Sariska almost became ZERO.
- Tigers ST1 and ST2 restarted the growth of tiger population in Sariska.
- Bengal tigers ST1 and ST2 were brought in from Ranthambore National Park.
- ST2 was the daughter of Ranthambore’s famous tigress Machli.
- Tigress Machli was the descendant of Arrowhead tigress.
- Arrowhead died due to old age and weak health.
- ST2 was the first tigress to have cubs in Sariska.
What is the Tiger Safari Plan for Sariska Zone 1?
My guide, Mr. Pankaj, told me that for the day, he will be taking us through Route Number 1, which has the territories of two tigers en route. Those belong to tigers ST9 and ST2. He told us that during the entire safari, we would be tracking them, and also, as we embarked on a morning safari, there were good chances of spotting hyenas. Pankaj told me that he will try his best to get a sighting of either ST9 or ST2.
He then showed me the boundary wall that was created on the left side, as we drove further on our pathway, by the forest department to ensure the safety of the grassland area. The weather was perfect, quite cold in fact, and it seemed like rain was probable later during the day. Under these circumstances, it becomes a bit challenging to spot a tiger in Sariska, Jim Corbett, Ranthambore, or, in fact, any of India’s National Parks.
As our safari progressed, Pankaj told me that he was tracking the pug marks of ST2 but hadn’t found anything substantial. He told me that ST2 is quite active during early morning hours, but no activity was seen till then. So, we decided to move further.
How is the Jungle Landscape in Sariska National Park?
The jungle landscape was changing every few minutes, and it was a serene experience that was hard to put into words. You have to be there to experience the silence, peacefulness, and calmness, which is impossible in bustling city life.
As we all were searching for some tiger pug marks or even looking out for an alarm call of other animals. We knew that if found suddenly, it could change the entire ambiance and make us more excited and motivated, and make the safari trip even more exciting.
Finally, after looking out for a while, we came across tiger pug marks. I realized one thing: here in Sariska, the landscape is quite different compared to Jim Corbett, which you might have seen in my other videos. I was expecting that tiger movement might be happening somewhere ahead of us and was hopeful to find something interesting soon.
What is the Sariska Tiger Reserve Surrounded by?
Sariska has Aravalli hills on all sides and a population of more than 50 tigers. Although in the national park, you will see only a small area dedicated and reserved for conducting wildlife safaris. It’s a good thing as it keeps the jungle and its animals safe from outside disturbance.
As I continued further in my safari, I saw that water was abundantly available in Sariska, which is a good thing for animals. They don’t have to face water scarcity even in the weather in which I was here. It kind of reminded me of Jim Corbett’s Bijrani Zone, which also houses many natural water bodies.
Then my Guide Pankaj told me that he would take me to meet some of the interesting individuals out here who are also known as Tiger Trackers. They simply gather any and every information about the tiger’s pug marks, their movement, calls, and territories. Later, they share it with the forest department, which takes necessary steps as deemed fit.
I then reached a spot where there was lots of water and the Aravalli Mountains all around. Suddenly, my eyes caught sight of a beautiful Shikra bird on a dry branch near the water. It seemed like the bird was waiting for its prey.
My guide told me that the entire area belonged to the tiger ST21, but there were no signs of its presence due to the cold weather.
Spotting Male Sambar Deer in Sariska
After a long time, I ended up spotting a male sambar deer who was standing completely still at a far-off distance and was being cautious. They are very alert, and even the slightest sound gives them a cause to raise alarm calls and warn other animals of danger. The Sambar deer saw us and was standing upright, very alert to our presence.
Then I asked Pankaj Ji to tell me some interesting facts about the tiger ST21. He told me that it’s a big male tiger of Sariska and a quite handsome one who is the pride of this region. As we were having the conversation, suddenly, I spotted a female Sambar deer in the distance. It was because of her alarm call that my jeep reached the spot where we were present at the moment. She then ran away after giving another alarm call.
Who are Tiger Trackers in Sariska?
The entire time I was there, I continuously heard alarm calls and hoped to see some tiger movement. Then, from a short distance where the alarm calls were coming from, I came across a tiger tracker named Dayaram, who tracks ST21. He told me that he is responsible for tracking the movement of ST21 based on tiger footprints and radio signals.
I even asked him if he feels scared to do the job. To which he replied yes but later emphasised that it was his job. He also told me that the same day, he came across footprints around Ghan ka Chauki. That was probably of ST21 along with ST9. Another interesting thing he told me was that he tracks the tiger both in the morning and evening hours and gives daily reports to the control room of the forest department.
Many staff members work relentlessly like Dayaram to track tigers in Sariska National Park. Although the job is dangerous, with time, they feel that keeping track of their health, movement, and behaviour, and immediately reporting any changes to the forest department, is their responsibility as they keenly understand wildlife conservation.
Teams of Tiger Trackers like this are present in many national parks of India, including the most popular Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve. They not only track the tiger movement but also ensure their safety from external poaching and hunting activities. They ensure wildlife conservation implementation at the ground level to the fullest.
Till now, even though I wasn’t able to spot any tiger, the feeling of exploring the Jungles of Sariska made me happier and fulfilled. It was a fantastic experience going on a morning safari here.
Completing Morning Jungle Safari in Sariska
As my morning safari in Sariska Zone 1 was approaching completion, I was hopeful to spot a tiger. I was being patient and persistent. Then I came to the forest checkpoint and met Mahendra Ji, who monitors the ST7 tiger. He told me that he had just arrived from tracking the tiger and found pug marks. I asked him if he had ever had any face to face encounter with a tiger ever. He said yes, that had happened many times, and the tiger usually backs off during such instances.
Spent some time chit-chatting with him and then set out towards the end of the morning safari. As I was recounting the moments of this morning’s safari, it brought true joy to my heart. Thinking that once Sariska had almost no tigers. And today, many tiger trackers are keeping a check on their every movement in a systematic way.
Today, Sariska Tiger Reserve has a new direction. Possible with the support of the government and people like Mahendra and Dayaram ji. Their hard work and efforts have restored wildlife interest in the region, which was once completely depleted.
Lastly, I reached a part of Sariska where, from November to February every year, many migratory birds arrive. The region also sees lots of tigers swimming in the water many times. As a wildlife enthusiast, you can come here, enjoy the peacefulness. Also, spot some birds and animals, and have a ball of a time.
Then I came to the end of my safari. Although I did not spot ST21, I was happy and satisfied with seeing the true beauty of nature. I hope you enjoyed this virtual safari experience through my blog. Don’t forget to watch my YouTube channel for more updates. Stay tuned.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Sariska Tiger Reserve famous for?
It’s famous for its tigers, as at one point in time, the tiger population almost became zero. So, new tigers were brought in from Ranthambore to restore the tiger population here.
How long is Sariska safari?
The jeep safari almost takes 3 to 4 hours, both during the morning and afternoon sessions. You can choose your choice of shift accordingly.
What is the history of Sariska?
Earlier It was a royal hunting ground for the kings back in the day. Later in 1955, it became a wildlife park to preserve the natural heritage of Rajasthan.
How many Tigers are in Sariska?
There are more than 50 tigers currently present in Sariska.
How many entry gates are in Sariska?
There are two gates for entry. Gate 1 is for Zone 1, 2, and 3. Gate 2 is for Zone 4.
Which is the best zone in Sariska?
Zones 1, 2, 3, and 4 are in the Sariska Tiger Reserve. Each of them is unique in its own way for wildlife and nature exploration.
Is it Worth Visiting Sariska Tiger Reserve?
Yes, it’s absolutely worth it to visit Sariska for a tiger safari because the national park is full of various wild animals and birds and offers a wonderful escape from the hectic everyday life.
How to Book a Tiger Safari in Sariska?
Connect with the Jungle Revives team to plan your next trip to the Sariska National Park. We will help you plan the most appropriate itinerary for your needs and will take care of bookings, accommodation, permits, and any other documentation work end-to-end, so that you can focus on enjoying the trip.
Is tiger spotting guaranteed in Sariska?
Spotting a tiger in Sariska National Park requires a perfect combination of luck, patience, and persistence. Also, you need to carefully follow the alarm calls and track pug marks. Only then will you be able to maximize your chances of spotting a tiger in Sariska.
How many days are enough for a Sariska Tiger Safari?
A 3-day trip is optimal to explore all the major areas in Sariska across all its zones. However, you can definitely increase your trip duration based on your preferences and travel needs. The jungle Revives team will ensure that you have the best tiger safari in Rajasthan.
