After a 2-year long wait and numerous failed attempts to get an accommodation in Kabini, we were blessed with an opportunity to visit this untamed wild land on 6th September 2014. Reading about the mere fables of the blessed jungle, I spent sleepless nights researching on the past and the recent sightings on the internet.

With an exciting 3 days and 2 nights booking at the Kabini River Lodge, we set out from Bangalore on the afternoon of 6th September 2014. As we began our journey, we had the rain Gods blessing us with some good rain throughout our travel, which added a magical atmosphere to our drive. As we drove into Karapura; however, I wanted the rains to cease to enable better spotting during our safaris. As we arrived only in the evening, we had to forego the evening safari.

As I was sipping my cup of coffee in the evening, I noticed the guests arriving from the evening safari with a disappointed look since they were unable to spot anything. I was surprised to hear a familiar voice of an individual with whom somehow I felt connected. I speculated if he was the legend of wildlife photography whose work I have been following for quite some time. While we sat for dinner, I could not believe my eyes when I saw the legend in person. I waived at him without a fore thought in my mind (quite brave sign considering I take time to get to talk/interact with people). I was so touched by him acknowledging my greeting with a pleasant smile on his face. He walked towards us and humbly began a conversation with us. During our conversation, I realized his down to earth nature despite being a renowned and great wildlife photographer. The disappointment of missing the evening safari soon turned into an elated mood since I was lucky to meet and exchange few words with the great man.

Post a good night sleep, we headed to the Gol Ghar, where the guests assemble prior to the safari. With the rain gods not letting the sun rays penetrate the skies, we were looking at bleak chance of any sightings. To make matters worse, we had a noisy couple in our ride, which spoiled chances of any sightings possible. Returning with a bad experience in the morning, I was hoping to sight something in the evening safari and badly wanted the noisy crowd not to be part of our batch.

To our luck, we were grouped together with the legend himself and his friends. He was truly gracious when he introduced us to his friends. As we drove into the Rajiv Gandhi National park, I saw a lush green forest and smelt the breath of fresh air. The rain gods had turned this once dry land into a lush green forest. I only hoped to spot some spotted deer and elephants during our safari and to our surprise we spotted this young male leopard resting on the tree post a good meal. The fabulous moment combined with the legend and his photographer friends travelling with us seemed to be silver lining in the rain-filled journey. I went “click crazy” with my camera and we could hear only shutter sounds going off like the Bofors guns in the Kashmir valley. I had managed to get a total of 204 clicks of the leopard with hunger for more :).

As we continued our safari into the jungle we had number of sightings of a herd of elephants with a calf. The frame was a perfect picture of a family. We also had sightings of various birds such as the Crested Serpent eagle, the greater flame back and the white breasted king fisher. At a distance we could also spot a pack of wild dogs walking alongside the safari path

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As we were heading back from our safari, I was reflecting on the pictures on my camera. The intense look of the leopard’s eyes captured in this full frame is the best capture I have had so far of a predator in the wild. The sightings that we had on this trip coupled with the honour of interacting and sharing space with the legend himself truly puts the Kabini experience an unforgettable one.

To me, Kabini, is truly the mecca of wildlife and will always act as a catalyst in my passion, wildlife photography.

-Prashanth Bharadwaj