Safari in the Jungle

On the plains at the bottom of the mountains, called the Terai, is the Chitwan National Park. It was here in the colonial days that the British came to shoot Rhinos, Tigers and Elephants. My guide was armed with a stick and the plan was to spend the day tracking down the animals in the park. First came a warning, if a Rhino charges, run in a zig zag and drop a piece of clothing. If a tiger attacks, look directly into the eyes and walk backwards slowly and for elephants... run for your life.

The two guides, two Kiwis, an Irish lass and myself crossed the river by dugout canoe at 7am in search big game. By lunch time we had spotted, monkeys, spotted deer, crocodiles, plenty of birds, butterfly’s and lots of Rhino’s poo.

Our guide was super confident, he has spotted Rhinos for the last 27 days and knows all the secret places to look. By 2pm we started making our way back and I doubted we would see a Rhino. Tigers are nocturnal and there are very few wild elephants left, the highlight was to be the Rhinos (3.5 tonnes which can move at 25km/h). The day ended with no spotting of a Rhino but it was a fantastic experience walking through the forest.

Luck was with us the next day on the elephant safari, spotted three Rhinos in the first 5 minutes!