Johanna and Micheal visited Pilibhit Tiger Reserve from 9–12 January 2025 for a short winter safari, perfectly fitting their tight travel schedule in India.
Despite cold and foggy conditions, every safari delivered tiger sightings, including multiple encounters with the famous male tiger Rocket.
Report by Mr. Sudhir Sharma
Fog, Frost and Tigers: Johanna & Micheal’s Memorable Pilibhit Safari
09 Jan 2025to 12 Jan 2025.
Johanna & Micheal wanted to enjoy safaris in Indian parks for tigers. But they had limited time. They were invited to a marriage in Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) and they were willing to visit Varanasi and the Buddhist sector i.e. Bodh Gaya.
They got late for safaris in Panna and Bandhavgarh tiger reserves, as these parks quickly get sold out due to high demand. So, we suggested Sanjay Dhubri Tiger Reserve, but the train timings did not match with our purpose.
Finally, we suggested Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (Uttar Pradesh) near Bareilly. This park is well-connected with Varanasi with an overnight train. After visiting, one can get to Delhi by train as well.
09 Jan 2025: Pilibhit Tiger Safari
We took the overnight train from Varanasi at around 23:00 . The next day, at 11:55 we reached Bareilly station. Later 02-hour drives brought us to our homestay. After it was to relax.
10 Jan 2025: Morning Safari / Zone 02
It was chillingly cold in the morning. We all dressed up in warm clothing & entered the park. We started checking the territories of different tigers. We were expecting some warning calls which could help us with spotting tigers, but the forest was quiet. Later, while checking the area, we saw a huge male coming towards us. The star tiger Rocket male of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve.
10 Jan 25: Afternoon Safari / Zone 02
In the afternoon, we luckily got to zone 02 via the roaster system. As we had an idea for the morning safari, we drove directly to the morning spot. After waiting for some time, the same tiger was seen again. It was trying to make a kill. He was targeting some spotted deer but was unsuccessful.
11 Jan 25: Morning Safari
This morning the weather was cloudy and the sun seemed to be very difficult. So, in the beginning, we assumed that it would be a blank safari . So, we decided to check zone one completely. After driving for 20 minutes, our driver saw something moving very slowly. At first instant, we thought it to be Huge Sambhar deer. But later it was a Big Huge male tiger. We decided to keep the proper distance of 50 meters from him. He was calmly marking his territory. It was a great morning, even on a foggy day.
- It was very dark & no photos were taken due to dim light.
- All safaris with Tiger sightings . What a trip to remember.
Plan a Pilibhit Tiger Safari
Create your own winter wildlife story in Pilibhit
Pilibhit can be a practical addition to a North India journey for travellers who want quiet forest safaris, winter birdlife and a chance to explore a lesser-known tiger reserve. We can help you plan the right travel route, safari drives, stay and transfers.
A well-planned Pilibhit stay can include:
01. Morning and afternoon jeep safaris
02. Comfortable stay near the safari area
03. Rail and road connections for your wider India route
Travel thoughtfully: Winter mornings can be cold and foggy. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but planning multiple drives gives you more time to experience the forest.
FAQ
November to March is generally a comfortable time to visit Pilibhit, with cooler weather and pleasant forest conditions. January mornings can be cold and foggy, so warm clothing is essential.
Yes, tiger sightings are possible during winter in Pilibhit, including on cold or foggy mornings. However, weather, visibility, safari zone, animal movement and luck affect every drive.
Plan at least three or four safari drives for a better experience. Multiple morning and afternoon drives give you more time to explore different zones and observe changing wildlife movement.
A two- or three-night stay is a practical choice for Pilibhit. It allows enough time for several jeep safaris without making the itinerary feel rushed.
There is no single best zone for every safari. Wildlife movement changes daily, and safari zone allocation can depend on permit availability and forest department rules. Zone 1 and Zone 2 both featured in Johanna and Micheal’s January 2025 safari story.
Yes, Pilibhit can suit first-time safari travellers who want a quieter wildlife experience. Choose a reliable stay, book multiple drives, carry warm layers in winter and keep realistic expectations about sightings.
Bareilly is a practical rail and road gateway for Pilibhit Tiger Reserve. Johanna and Micheal travelled overnight from Varanasi to Bareilly, then continued by road to their stay; travel time and connections should be checked for your own dates.
Yes, Pilibhit can fit into a Varanasi–Bareilly–Pilibhit–Delhi route. It can be useful for travellers who want to add a short tiger safari to a wider North India itinerary.
Wear warm layers, a jacket, cap, gloves and comfortable closed shoes. Early-morning jeep safaris can be cold and foggy in December and January, while afternoons may feel more comfortable.
No, tiger sightings are never guaranteed in Pilibhit or any other tiger reserve. Johanna and Micheal saw tigers on all their drives in January 2025, but that was their individual experience and should not be treated as a promise for future visitors.
Pilibhit is a quieter alternative, while Ranthambore and Bandhavgarh usually have more established safari infrastructure and broader hotel choices. The best park depends on your travel route, dates, budget, preferred landscape and how many safaris you can plan
Written By
Sudhir Sharma
India Wildlife, Safari & Cultural Travel Specialist
Sudhir Sharma helps travelers plan thoughtful wildlife safaris, birdwatching tours, Rajasthan heritage journeys and customised India holidays. His practical local guidance helps couples, families, photographers and nature lovers choose the right national parks, travel season and itinerary for a comfortable, memorable trip.
