Introduction
Satpura national park has special status among popular tiger reserves of Central Indai. Although primary motive of most of the tourists is to see tigers in wilderness and it is equally known fact that Satpura national park has less tiger population and tiger sighting record is also poor. It is the reason that here Elephant safari is also not demanded. Still in Satpura national park, 3 luxury safari lodges are existing and doing good business and even the average stay duration of tourists is also more than in compare to its surrounding popular tiger reserves. Their should must be something in this national park that binds tourists to stay longer here and enjoy its wilderness. In you consider on this point, you will realize that it ist he avtivities and hastle free atmosphere that lets the tourists feel really relaxed and get soaked into this forest.
Tiger Show by Elephant Ride
Tiger Show in Tiger reserves has been
closed for tourists since year 2012. Still just for your information here we have discussed about this this. Tiger Show was organized by park management in which tiger is showed to visitors on elephant back for 5-10min duration. It serves two purpose: first and foremost is the urge to see tiger/s in its natural habitat and second one is elephant safari ride. Although it is for very short duration but still those who don't afford to pay high price of Elephant Safari in Satpura can at least feel the fun of ride. Usually in early morning, Mahaouts (Trackers) went inside the jungle in search of tigers. On successful tiger tracking they pass the information to control-room through walky-talkie radio-sets they have with them. Control room passes the message to check-points inside forest. Through such check-points or through control room information, safari vehicle guide takes the vehicle to that location (if it lies in his allotted route/zone). Here against a fixed fee, tokens for viewing tigers are issued on a "first come first serve" basis. The vehicles carrying visitors reach the tiger spot in a systematic way and wait for their turn. An adult elephant can accommodate 4 visitors at a time in the seat fastened on its back, called hauda, and ferries them to the tiger spot where the tiger is seen at its most natural. The management ensures well controlled and hassle free tiger viewings for the visitors and least disturbance to the tigers.
Elephant Safari Booking
It is special safari organized by Park Management after written permission given by Field Director of Satpura National Park. In this safari, elephants are provided for safari purpose. Visitor do the safari on elephant back with his allotted safari-guide. In order to get the permission letter from Field Director, we are required to fill-up the requisition form attached with Demand Draft of specified fee and submit it to the Department Office (in Umaria) far before the required dates. Forest Department will scrutinize the information provided in the submitted Form and check the availability of Elephant/s and accordingly take the decision on application in stipulated time. Before giving the permission, information like purpose of visit, number of visitors, date/s of visit etc. provided information are taken into account and considered deeply. It is the policy of Forest Department to
discourage usage of Elephant for commercial purpose as limited elephants are available at each Tiger Reserve and are mostly engaged in duty of patroling, tiger tracking etc. Thus it is an message for tourism world that Elephants are not for commercial use but for Wildlife management and to support conservation activities. In case elephants were not available of requested dates then department may return the requisition for re-considering the dates of visit. Availing the elephants for Elephant Safari is discretionary power of Field Director and usually it is not so easy to get the permission. So purpose, recommendation & influence play decisive role in getting the permission letter. Once written permission is obtained in positive, we can expect to do Elephant Safari in Satpura National Park. On stipulated date, Elephant/s will be made available at a declared place (usually in elephant camp) )inside the Tiger Reserve. In order to reach the place, safari jeeps are used for transfer. Visitor/s can do the Elephant Safari according the Morning/Evening safari timing. Practically Elephant rides are not for normal tourists so we should not expect here.
Alternate Activies
Friends, don't disappoint, if you will not get elephant ride. Take it in positive way as Elephant ride is often taken as animal curelty. Here we have many alternate activities to do like Canoeing, Walking Safari, Night Safari etc. These are some great safari activities which makes Satpura national park as different from other surrounding national parks. They are some unusual safari activities which makes you feel getting some new nature experience that we miss in other national parks. Here Canoeing is done on backwater of Denwa river in which you can enjoy boating on water with crocodiles are very close to you. Canoe ride is operated by park management team thus irrespective of any resort, you are staying, you are can do canoe ride in Satpura national park. You need not to depend upon resort management team. Similarly in normal cases, we are not allowed to do walking safaris in core zones of tiger reserve but here you can do walking safari on core zone, a real dense forest, away from any human disturbance, in company of trained guide. This is really awsome & thrilling experience. Similarly we can do Night safari in Satpura National Park. This is offered in buffer zone area where we have chance to see mammals like Sloth Bear, Hyena, Wolf, Jackal, Leopard etc. All these collective experiences make your holiday a memorable safari experience.
