I could hear the sound of rain hitting against the window. Accompanied by thunder, it was a familiar sound that filled me with a sense of calm. I was half awake, still lost in the world of dreams, when I looked at my phone. The time was 6:00 AM. One hour before the morning safari starts. I sighed deeply, knowing that the rain meant that the tigers would not come out to drink today.

I had been waiting for weeks to go on this safari, and I had hoped to see these majestic creatures up close. But the weather was not on my side. I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of the rain. It was a soothing sound, but it also filled me with a sense of disappointment. I knew that I would have to wait for another day to see the tigers.

But as I lay there, half-awake, I began to notice other sounds around me. I could hear the sound of birds singing, and the rustling of leaves in the wind. The forest was alive, even in the rain.

The following day, we arrived at the park’s office to reserve our safari. Unfortunately, the fee for the two of us was quite steep, and we were charged 10000 NPR. However, our vehicle and guide arrived shortly after, and they greeted us warmly. We were given a quick briefing on the proper etiquette to follow during the safari, particularly when inside the park. Our guide suggested we wear dark clothing. As soon as we entered the wilderness, we were captivated by the aroma that surrounded us. The vehicle moved at a slow pace to minimize noise. We engaged our guide in conversation, and I inquired about the population of tigers in Bardiya. According to him, there were over 152 tigers. Our first stop was one of the most popular spots for tiger sightings. There were several areas tourists could visit in hopes of encountering a tiger. We reached the shoreline of a stream, where tigers frequently come to drink water. Our guide shared a memory of narrowly escaping a rhinoceros attack.

The safari guide continued his story, reliving the adrenaline rush and the fear that he had felt. It had been a close call, and he had been lucky to escape unscathed. The memory was still vivid in his mind, even though it had happened several years ago.

As he spoke, we leaned in, fascinated by the tale of the rhinoceros attack. We could almost feel the heat of the sun and the coolness of the water as we imagined themselves in the same situation.