Whether it’s your first time or the hundredth, there’s no denying that one is almost always engulfed by a wave of palpable excitement ahead of a safari experience.

Will you get lucky and spot the Big Cat or should you make peace with the sightings of wild elephants, sambar deer, and bears in the midst of scenic wilderness? Blame it on the fault in your stars if things don’t go as expected. Because truth be told, nobody knows for sure. And, that’s precisely where the excitement lies.

It was no different for me, ever since I’d said yes to the Taj Corbett Resort & Spa safari experience—although it entailed doing unlikely things on a weekend, like waking up at the crack of dawn and strolling across unhabituated zones, isolated grasslands in an open jeep.

The plush property, spanning 11 acres, boasts myriad experiences such as forest bathing, butler services and popular relaxation therapies at their award-winning wellness spa (J Wellness Circle spa). But, when the country’s oldest national park is in your vicinity, one is naturally attracted to the area’s biggest highlight: the jungle safari.

How it all began…

In all honesty, not all of us are cut out for travels with packed itineraries. But, I knew from get-go that the whole trip had to be wildlife-focussed—getting up, close and personal with varied species of mammals and birds at a permissible distance—without expecting too much. “The months between November to February promise great weather, making it conducive for safaris as well as mammal and bird sightings,” suggested our guide Harry, as he looked pointedly at a litter of pin-tailed green pigeons perched atop a dense sal tree, as we navigated rocky terrains upon entering different zones on a chilly Sunday morning (Yes, the cold has kicked in up north, with Corbett recording 12 degrees during the day at the time of our visit). You can choose between the morning (6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.) or the afternoon safari (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.). The naturalists and forest authorities follow rules to a t, so expect to enter and leave the area on time unless you wouldn’t mind attracting a fine.

While there are 8 zones, we explored the ones that are open year-round—Jhirna and Dhela, besides the iconic Bijrani zone which is usually open between October to June. It goes without saying that the Royal Bengal Tiger happens to be the main attraction of a Corbett safari. However, the spotted deer (which we were told are found in plenty, with reportedly as many as 40,000 in Jim Corbett alone, at present), langurs, baby boars, and a parade of wild elephants make for equally delightful sightings, especially if you’re one to haven’t seen animals much beyond the screens in this mobile age. Barring a tea and loo break, the safari prohibits any movement (walking, running) or pitstops unless in the case of emergencies.

And, much like most things in life, there’s no fun without some wait, peppered with uncertainty and suspense. The rule applies even when one is on a wildlife safari—our trip entailed sporadic moments of waiting in radio silence around various riverine belts to spot animal sightings without disrupting the harmony of the forest. Tiger trails piqued our hopes, but we did not chance upon a sighting and ended the drive just being contented to having spotted wildlife thriving in their natural habitat—unthreatened and away from human interference.

Stay

Flanked by the majestic Himalayan foothills, The Taj Corbett Resort and Spa houses cottage-styled stays as well as 11 newly opened uber-luxurious suites. We chose the latter, because what’s even a staycation without some indulgence? The hospitality, as expected, was top-notch. While most local cuisines are often an acquired taste; the Kumaoni thali, albeit an expansive spread, feels light on the stomach. The hearty Pahadi fare comprises aloo ke gutke, kheere ka raita, and Jhangore ki kheer, alongside meat preparations like homestyle pahadi chicken and mutton curry.

It goes without saying that savoring the stunning views of the mystic Kosi River is possibly one of the best sights to wake up to, a trip to the Taj Corbett Resort & Spa property promises moments of witnessing some of India’s most prized wildlife at an arm’s distance in real-time. Besides safaris, one can sign up for outdoorsy activities like river rafting, rappelling, temple trends, river aartis, and rock climbing that can be availed via prior booking of packages. However, I chose to head back to the hotel and hit snooze for obvious reasons. (Just in case it slipped your mind, I’m someone who prioritizes 8-9 hours of daily sleep above most things.)

On our way back, I couldn’t help but ponder over the bigger stuff that we most usually don’t think about— how disconnected we really are, how you needn’t travel too far to unravel some of nature’s marvels, and most importantly, our significance (or may I say insignificance) in the grander scheme of things. 

There goes a popular adage that ‘Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer’. With a long weekend not too long away, I’d like to believe that the mountains, beaches, and forests are calling. The question is, are you even listening?