My visit to the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in February 2022 was no less than a Jungle Vogue Extravaganza, where real catwalks stole the show. It had felt like I had snagged an exclusive invite to an event like the Paris Fashion Week, but here at the Animal Kingdom. After months of COVID-led closures, the national park had opened its gates for visitors, and the forest was unveiling its latest collection of flamboyant designs, showcasing its unparalleled creativity with various fauna & flora.
I was just thrilled to enter the forests that felt akin to having a backstage pass to nature’s fashion show as herds of deer, sambhars, and peacocks strutted their swag, flaunting their signature prints and styles on the luxurious greens of the runway locations, like seasoned fashion models. Although I secretly hoped to steal an invite to witness some VVIP wild couture shows where the tigers – the supermodels of the forest – would unleash their untamed demeanour.
Like the Anna Wintour (Vogue editor) of the wilderness, our safari guide shared tales of the tiger sightings, some local beliefs and omens, adding intrigue much like the whispers that flutter around before a grand fashion reveal. As we explored the opulent show venues of the core zones, our desi Wintour hinted at a darting mongoose being a precursor to the appearance of the ultimate showstopper of this wild, wild runway – the tiger. I was amused but sceptical.
The Mongoose Myth & the Feline Supermodel
Voila! The mongoose myth turned out to be the real deal, and we were treated to some front-row peeks of the stunning tigresses of Tadoba, sashaying down their forest catwalk like the supermodels they are, flaunting their grace, beauty, and a touch of wild attitude.
The opening show on the runway was the stunning progeny of the legendary Choti Tara tigress, lounging in the middle of the road like it was her personal stage. The young tigress was enjoying a mid-noon beauty sleep, elongating her majestic silhouette, rolling and occasionally twirling as if luxuriating in some exotic mud spa before a grand show.
Our safari vehicle was in quite a vantage position, with an unobstructed view of this Gigi Hadid of the jungle. Silently, we captured her various moods and poses, like pro-fashion photographers (wink) at a runway event. Our wild Gigi laid there for quite some time unbothered by her audience’s awe, a true professional in her element, until a pesky mosquito, acting like an annoying paparazzi, buzzed out her peace.
She did a graceful swat at the intruding nuisance, and rose from the slumber to retreat to the deeper, more secluded sanctuaries of her lush, green boudoir. But before disappearing backstage, she paraded past us, giving us a fiery snarl, a kind of stern warning to maintain our distance from the exclusive green rooms of the wild.
This exhilarating encounter made me believe in the local mongoose theory, as I silently prayed for more exclusive, wild, glamorous shows.
Maya: The Enigmatic Showstopper
The next day, our morning safari was filled with anticipation after spotting a mongoose, but alas, the elusive tiger remained a no-show. I decided to recalibrate my expectations and paid attention to capturing the other accessories of nature’s runway – the giant crocodiles sunbathing by the Tadob Lake and symphony of the colourful birds creating medley of runaway style music beats.
Come evening, whispers announced the arrival the most sought after supermodel of Tadoba – the Ruling Queen of the jungle – Maya. She is no less than the Naomi Campbells and Kendall Jenners – the epitome of grace and power, the ‘highest-paid attention’ to supermodel of the Tadoba runway.
Maya is the most famous, celebrated and photographed tigress of Tadoba. Wildlife enthusiasts and photographers have been known to wait for hours and hours, like fervent paparazzi, to capture the elegance and majesty of this diva. She even has a documentary in the works, chronicling her regal life – a true testament to her sovereign status.
When I first saw her, my heart raced as she made a grand entrance from the thickets of the forest to cross the road to reach the lake. There were at least 20-25 jeeps stationed there, but she remained unperturbed. With casual elegance, she indulged in a refreshing dip in the lake, soaking and swimming in the shallow banks, oblivious to the venerating gazes fixed on her.
Emerging from the water, she embarked on the most gracious of catwalks, right in the middle of the road, utterly indifferent to the human spectators around her. And, like the final bow of a showstopper, she marked her territory beneath a tree before gracefully retreating into the wings of the dense forest.
For me, witnessing Maya was akin to having a front-row seat at the most grandiose fashion show, observing an unforgettable showstopper in her natural elegance.
The Reserved Charm of Male Elegance
While the female supermodels of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve had dazzled me with their glamorous catwalks and elegant poses, the male models, or should I say, the ‘Gentlemen of the Jungle,’ also made quite the entrance, albeit a bit more reserved.
One sub-adult male tiger, a progeny of the diva Maya, was like a shy, emerging model, trying to avoid the spotlight, hiding amidst the long, dry grass. Our guide, the desi Anna Wintour of the wilderness, managed to spot him, giving us a sneak peek of this exotic, elusive model behind the stage curtains.
Then entered Rudra, the muscular, bold, and dashing hunk of the jungle, the one who had conquered territories and won the heart of the queen, Maya – he was being the Bad Bunny to the Kendall Jenner of the jungle. Rudra, with smoking beautiful blue eyes, was the epitome of strength and masculinity. However, much like a celebrity overwhelmed by the flashing cameras, he retreated quickly into the deep greens, leaving us yearning for more.
Amid the wild spectacle, an unexpected entrant unfolded, akin to the revelation of a surprise celebrity showstopper at a high-end fashion parade. A full-grown bear made a bold, distinguished entrance as we traversed the forest’s natural runway. Cloaked in its thick fur coat, he moved with a leisurely, contemplative gait, standing in stark contrast to the male feline counterparts of Tadoba. This Johnny Depp of the forest seemed to have imbibed a thing or two from the supermodel tigresses, adding a touch of eclectic elegance to the vibrant tapestry of the wild.
The Afterparty & Encore Anticipations
Our last safaris were filled with anticipation; whispers of tigress Lara and her cubs were in the air. We drove towards the rumored locations, but the feline celebrities decided to play hard to get, their growls echoing but their presence unseen. It seemed the grand fashion show of Tadoba’s core zone had drawn its curtains for us.
Yet, Tadoba had more treasures to reveal. Its buffer zones, unlike other reserves, are realms where humanity and the animal kingdom coexist in harmonious juxtaposition. Our expedition through these zones felt like a journey through exclusive, secluded boutiques, each twist and turn unveiling a fresh, pristine facet of nature’s masterpiece. Although the renowned Matkasur of buffers eluded us, we encountered the formidable Indian Bisons, resembling the vigilant bouncers outside a high-end fashion gala afterparty, ready to ward off any unwarranted intruders or intrusive paparazzi.
My visit to Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve was a harmonious blend of wild elegance and untamed beauty, orchestrated by the passionate and knowledgeable Camila Malvestiti, who unveiled the hidden gems and untold tales of the forest making every moment a captivating dance of nature’s grandeur. The anticipation for the next invitation to this wild, luxurious show is already building, to witness more of the untold tales and unseen elegance of the majestic beings of Tadoba.
Amazing photography and inspiring adventures. Experiencing these big cats up close and personal must have been a life-changing experience!