Excited about what we’ll get to see during our safari, we boarded the safari vehicle the next morning while the Kia Seltos took a well-deserved rest at the rest-house. Kanha is one of the initial nine Project Tiger Reserves with over 1,000 square kilometres of lush green jungle. Located in the Satpura range of the Maikal hills, this tiger reserve is the largest of its kind in the heart of India. However, not all of the core zone is accessible to tourists; only a tiny fraction is open for safari.
What an adventure it was to drive in an open-top vehicle through the national park with the golden light of the sun peeping through the thick forest. This is the only region where you can watch barasingha grazing in the misty meadows and hear their mating calls. These swamp deer were on the brink of extinction; however, the forest department did an excellent job of conservation and set an example for the rest of the world. There’s a whole gamut of animals too, including wild boars, Indian gaur, jackals, wild dogs, best friends — langurs and spotted deer, and hundreds of birds. So even if you don’t spot the magnificent Royal Bengal Tiger, there’s so much to witness that you’ll never return disappointed.
But we were in luck, as we spotted not one but two tigers. First the male. Driving past the lake, our eagle-eyed guide pointed to an orange patch on the other end of the water body. Even with the vehicle stationary and the guide directing us, we really had to strain our untrained eyes to find the camouflaged jungle cat resting in the grass. What we saw next made a chill run through our spine. There was a floating carcass of a spotted deer not too far away from the tiger. The male was resting after the kill and seemed in a trance-like state. Probably waiting for the female tiger to show up. What a breathtaking sight!
Still reeling from the experience, we drove ahead. Following the pug marks, heeding to the warning calls of deer, chasing a scent of a kill, and following the instincts of the driver and guide are absolutely thrilling. Lurking silently in the shadows was the female. A mild snarl, a snap of a twig and flash of stripes in the bushes. Prowling with feline grace the powerful figure took shape. And no matter how many times you’ve seen the tiger, every time you spot one, the sight leaves you spellbound. That’s the aura this predator possesses. In a fraction of a second, the wild cat disappeared into the forest yet again.
After this fantastic experience, it was time to pack up. We loaded our bags and camera equipment into the large boot of the Kia and began our drive of over 1,000 km drive back to Pune. With mission Seltos Tiger Trail — II a success, our mood was upbeat. To heighten things further, the well-surfaced roads of Maikal hill gave the Seltos another chance to flaunt its dynamic handling.
When it comes to putting it to test on the road, the only thing that matters is how well engineered a car is. Unlike the regular SUVs, the Kia remained planted like a sporty sedan as we blazed through the winding roads. No unwanted body-roll or wallowing. Its composure impressed us all. I say “all” because my colleagues on the rear seat were comfortable and didn’t feel nauseous as we raced down the hill.
Vented seats, in-built air-purifier, and the sublime sound of the Bose music system kept our spirits high. We couldn’t stop talking about our life-changing jungle experience. While we laughed, reflected, and relived the entire experience, the Kia’s 1.5-litre diesel got busy devouring miles effortlessly. Being BS VI-compliant, this is one of the cleanest diesel engines in its class. Shifting into sixth gear and switching to Eco mode keeps fuel economy in check further. Switch to Sport and the 115 horses unleash riveting performance, while the sorted handling accentuates the entire driving experience.
Soon we were in Maharashtra and in no time crossed Nagpur before heading towards Pune. This has been one heck of an adventure. The Seltos with its great road dynamics made our search for the tiger not just comfortable but also immensely thrilling. And we’ve been enjoying this Tiger Trail so much that we’re all set to head to the next Tiger Reserve.
