The alarm went off at 3:45 AM. Most people on vacation would curse it. But when you’re heading out for a safari in Tadoba, that early hour feels like a privilege.
We were staying at Nature Sprout’s Zeal Resort, and our first safari of the trip was at Somnath Gate — about 54 kilometres away. With a mandatory entry time of 5:30 AM, we needed to leave by 4:15 AM to make it on time.
An Early Start — With a Packed Breakfast to Match
Before we stepped out, the resort staff had quietly packed us breakfast for the road. Aloo parathas and sandwiches, neatly wrapped and ready. It was one of those small touches that made the whole experience feel looked after. We would have time to eat during the safari itself, but knowing the food was sorted made the early departure far easier.
The drive to Somnath Gate was smooth. It was still dark when we started, and the roads were largely empty. The morning air was crisp — a welcome change from Hyderabad’s summer heat. Travelling with a four-year-old, we had packed enough snacks and distractions for the drive, but honestly, the excitement of the morning kept everyone wide awake.
We reached the gate just in time. After a quick ticket check, the forest department handed each vehicle two glass bottles of cold water — a simple but thoughtful touch. And just like that, we were inside Tadoba.
Into the Forest
The initial drive through the Somnath buffer zone was immediately calming. Dense bamboo forests lined both sides of the track. Sections of bamboo had been cut and neatly stacked near the forest office — part of regular forest management. In the half-light of early morning, with a cool breeze flowing through the open jeep, it felt like the world had slowed down entirely.
Travelling with a four-year-old, we half-expected questions every few minutes or restless energy from the back seat. Instead, from the moment we entered the forest, our son went completely quiet. No questions, no fidgeting — just wide eyes taking in the bamboo trees, the morning light filtering through the canopy, and the sounds of the forest waking up around him. At that moment, even our four-year-old seemed to understand that this place deserved a different kind of attention.
Our guide explained that in summer, wildlife concentrates around water sources. The heat forces animals — especially tigers — to stay close to streams and waterholes. That detail would turn out to be very important later in the morning.
A Flash of Spots — The Leopard Sighting
About 30 minutes into the drive, we reached a small water stream — a spot our guide knew well. This was the territory of K Mark Female, a resident tigress of the Somnath buffer zone named after a distinctive marking on her body. She had given birth to two male cubs in 2025, and at the time of our visit, they were approximately 8 to 9 months old. Our guide was confident they would be somewhere near this stream.
We waited. After 30 minutes with no sign of movement, our guide decided to take us deeper into the forest.
That turned out to be a good call.
As we moved through the trees, we heard it before we saw anything — a langur had climbed high into a treetop and was calling loudly in one direction. An experienced wildlife guide knows exactly what that means. A langur alarm call almost always signals a big cat nearby.
Our guide and driver scanned the treeline carefully. And then, in a split second, a leopard darted through the undergrowth and vanished into the bushes. There and gone before anyone could raise a camera.
We spent about 15 minutes searching the area slowly. The leopard had completely disappeared. But even that brief glimpse was thrilling — a reminder of how fast and unpredictable wildlife encounters can be.
Back to the Stream — The Hour of Patience
We made our way back to the water stream. K Mark Female and her cubs were known to be in this territory, and our guide was confident that patience would eventually reward us.
So we settled in to wait.
This is the part of a wildlife safari that first-timers sometimes find difficult. There is no script, no guarantee, and no fast-forward button. You sit, watch, and trust the forest. We kept ourselves occupied watching birds move between the trees and listening to the sounds around us.
Meanwhile, the guides were coordinating quietly over WhatsApp — every vehicle in the zone sharing real-time updates on animal movements. It sounds surprising at first, but it works remarkably well. When you are spread across a large buffer zone with multiple jeeps covering different areas, shared information is how experienced guides maximise sighting opportunities for everyone.
At around 8:30 AM, everything suddenly changed.
Every vehicle in the area accelerated at once. Jeeps that had been parked quietly roared to life and moved fast in one direction. Our driver immediately followed.
“They found the animal,” our guide said.
The Tiger Cubs
Within five minutes, we had reached the other side of the stream.
And there he was — one of K Mark Female’s cubs, roughly 8 to 9 months old, playing in the water. Climbing up rocks and jumping back in, completely unbothered by the line of jeeps watching from the bank. It was like watching a large kitten discover water for the first time.
Our guide maneuvered us closer. Then we heard rustling in the nearby bushes. The second cub.
Taking a different route, our driver positioned us alongside — and suddenly the second male cub was right there, sitting on a rock just a few metres from our vehicle. Looking at us with the easy curiosity that only a young animal who hasn’t yet learned to fear can manage.
Both male cubs. Born in 2025. Completely at ease in their element.
We watched them for almost half an hour. The first cub continued playing in the water. The second came down to join him. Whatever game they were playing, it was entirely on their terms — and we were simply lucky enough to witness it.
We glanced over at our son. He wasn’t jumping or shouting the way children sometimes do when they see something exciting. He was completely still, eyes fixed on the cubs, not saying a single word. Fully absorbed. In that half hour of watching, he did not speak once — and honestly, neither did we. Some sightings just do that to you.
Heading Back
At 9:00 AM, our guide indicated it was time to leave. All safari vehicles must be back at the gate by 9:30 AM, and the rough forest trails do not allow for late departures.
The drive back felt different from the drive in. There was that particular lightness that comes from having seen something truly special — the kind of morning that stays with you long after the jeep dust has settled.
We were back at the gate at 9:30 AM sharp and reached the resort by 10:45 AM, where a proper breakfast and a well-earned cup of tea were waiting.
Practical Tips for Somnath Gate Safari
Planning a safari at Somnath Gate? Here is what to keep in mind:
- Distance from resort: Somnath Gate is approximately 54 kilometres from most Kolara area resorts. Allow at least 1 hour 5 minutes of drive time and plan your departure accordingly.
- Safari timings: Morning safari runs from 5:30 AM to 9:30 AM. Late arrivals are not encouraged, so build in extra buffer time.
- Summer is ideal for sightings: Visiting in April–June works in your favour. Animals concentrate around water sources, making sightings more predictable — though patience remains essential.
- Water and food: The forest department provides cold water bottles at the entry gate. If your resort offers packed safari breakfast, take them up on it — ours made the early start much easier.
- Don’t underestimate buffer zones: Somnath is a buffer zone, not a core zone. Yet a single morning here gave us tiger cubs and a leopard sighting. Go in with an open mind and realistic expectations.
Final Thoughts
The Somnath Buffer Zone safari gave us everything — the slow anticipation of the wait, a heart-stopping leopard flash, and the pure delight of watching K Mark Female’s two cubs completely in their element. For a family travelling with a young child, the combination of an engaged guide, a manageable early drive, and a sighting we will not forget for a long time made it the perfect opening safari.
If you are planning a Tadoba trip, put Somnath Gate firmly on your list. Bring patience. The forest will do the rest.
We barely had time to catch our breath before heading out again the same afternoon. Read about our Navegaon Ramdegi safari and the two-hour wait for Balli → Navegaon Ramdegi Safari
And our final morning at Palasgaon — sloth bears, a peacock, and a tigress called Veera → Palasgaon Safari“
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