Saturday to Monday , 22^nd – 24^th Feb 2020

It was an earlyish start to the day with a little rushed breakfast at 7am to be en route for 4-5 hours to Bera Village to our heaven on earth.  Jawai Sagar is a complex of 3 villas nestled at the base of a granite massif called Nag Pahadi where we stayed for 2 nights to take part in 4 safaris. None of knew what to expect so we were so excited. Our expectations was of course to see leopards in their natural habitat, but we knew we may be disappointed as they tend to stay away from humans. 

Two night safaris (4.30-6.30pm) and two morning safaris (6.30-8.30) were planned with the daytime in between for chilling.  The jeeps were fairly stable and incredibly agile, but so bouncy on the terrain that I was holding for my dear life.  Seated at the back, sometimes I was all up in the air with feet and my bum. How exciting! Kids loved it.  Steve overdosed on photography with his friend Debarshi and I had lovely conversation with Chandrima.  I called her Miss India as she was so pretty, she could be one! Grandma and grandad were quietly soaking it all in but just as excited as we were.  They were fantastic, I tell you, and Debarshi’s comment to Steve that “Your parents are great sports” was spot-on.

We did see one leopard on two occasions, but he was several hundred metres away on top of one of the granite hills, surveying all below him and inaccessible even to our amazing jeeps.  It was however still an amazing feeling and we felt privileged to be there.  After dark, he set off and our guide guessed where he’d go.  Steve, Debarshi and the kids were rewarded with the leopard sat watching them from barely five metres, lit by torchlight.  Grandma and grandpa, Chandrima and me arrived soon after and were rewarded with him walking directly past Steve’s jeep and then our own.  Amazing!  Leopards are beautiful animals and to be so close to one in its natural environment was alone worth the holiday. Kids were so happy!

Rennie