Best secret of Sarhi

Amahi Family

Two days into Kanha and the forest had already been generous. It was our guides Shyam and Viren who suggested we try Sarhi as it was rumoured to be home to one of the most secretive tigresses — Amahi — and her four cubs. It would take about an hour’s drive each way from where we were to reach her territory and we had no guarantee that it would be a success. We took our chance. When we got there around 1 pm, everything was quiet and there were no calls to tell us Amahi was present. We parked by the creek and decided to wait a bit. We all talked and glanced over the shaded creek once in a while. It was my husband who suddenly pointed to the shaded creek: 'She is coming.'" One after another Amahi and her cubs came down and stared at us for a minute, trying to figure out the jeep and us, who were frantically grabbing cameras and binoculars. She wasn’t too happy, but she didn’t walk away. The cubs watched us with curiosity. A few short minutes of them stopping and looking at us allowed for a few shots before they settled in the water behind the rocks. We waited still, hoping to get a better view. But once they cooled off they slowly rose, gave us a glance, and quietly walked back into the forest. On the drive back, Shyam turned in his seat and told us quietly that we were the first to see her and the cubs this year. Viren was smiling. I looked down at my camera, scrolled through the frames, and felt the kind of gratitude that needed no words — only the click of a shutter, the warmth of the afternoon, and the profound memory of a queen - Amahi, who chose to show herself on her own magnificent terms. © Natalia Venkatesh 2026 (instagram.com/terralenz.focus)