Bush dinners, bonfires & memories wilder than the tigers.

A wife had been planning her husband’s 40th birthday for an entire year, and Gothangaon was her chosen destination. My friends and I were secretly added to the plan along with their family, making it a jungle-style surprise.

Arriving in Gothangaon felt like a breath of fresh air:

a) we were finally on a break, and

b) there was no network, a blessing in disguise.

The Bamboo Forest resort welcomed us so warmly that even our sleep-deprived faces felt special. Our friend had no idea we were part of the surprise, and his expression made all the secrecy worth it. The room felt like a second honeymoon - stunning interiors, beautiful height, chic furniture, and that bathtub… perfection.

After waking up at 3:30 am, a nap was non-negotiable. Soon, we geared up for the first safari, something my friends treat like an annual festival. I enjoy safaris too, just not with their level of wild enthusiasm.

We split into four jeeps, the boys in one, us girls in another, and the families in two. Within minutes, luck found us. The guide sped up, and suddenly we were staring at five tiger cubs casually sitting on the road before heading into a water body. They swam, chased birds, attempted climbing stones, failed adorably, and put on a full Cartoon Network performance.

Five cubs on the first safari? Unreal.

We drove around hoping for more, and after hours of nothing but pugmarks, we were about to settle, when a call came. Another tiger. A majestic male this time. He walked ahead of us on the road before disappearing into the bushes. Six tigers in one day - pure safari jackpot.

Back at the property, we reunited with the non-safari folks. Since tigers roam near the cottages (yes, literally), the staff escorted us to our rooms. No fences, just vibes and caution.

Game Night was next planned by the wife. We learned the birthday boy has evolved from Pav Bhaji to Samosas and now to action-packed Sundays. There was a bonfire, starters, a small bar, and games that ended with many people receiving “birthday boy kisses” as prizes. Funny for everyone else, traumatic for the receivers.

We ate dinner and slept early because the forest wasn’t done with us yet.

Day 2: Morning Safari

We woke up at 5:40 am, half asleep but fully excited. The forest air felt dreamy, the kind you only understand once you breathe it in. As Indians, we’re lucky to have tigers in the wild, and even luckier to witness them.

Hours went by with no sightings until we returned to where the cubs were last seen. They were planning a hunt on a deer, failing adorably again. It looked like their mother had told them to stay put while she searched for food.

Then came the call, the mother tiger was close. Our driver sped like we were on a jungle roller coaster. We reached just in time to see her walking like she owned the world.

Our friend’s jeep was already there; they had smelled something that hinted at a kill, followed the pugmarks, and found the tigress. She passed right by us, giving a fierce and beautiful stare.

More jeeps arrived, blocking her path humans forgetting, as always, whose territory it is. Still, she moved gracefully into the bushes. The boys’ jeep, naturally, was stuck somewhere off-road.

We headed back thrilled, dusty, and desperate for a bubble bath. My husband looked like he had showered in cocoa powder, unintentionally funny.

Day 2: Afternoon Safari - The Final Episode

This was the episode we were waiting for the reunion of the mother with her cubs. The boys took one jeep, we girls took another. The cubs followed their mother, except one who got distracted trying to catch a peacock and fell behind.

We waited near a lake for hours, getting tanned and sleepy, until finally the call came.

And there they were: the mother and all the cubs entering a small pond, splashing and play-fighting like oversized kittens. They walked out one by one, marking trees. The lost cub followed the scent trail and reunited with the group.

At the kill site, two cubs tried climbing a tree, fell repeatedly, and after many attempts, one finally succeeded. The others rubbed themselves on the tree, playing around like children.

The boys’ jeep, of course, arrived after the show. If patience were money, their jeep would be bankrupt.

One cub even stared into a jeep and licked its tyre and the people inside nearly froze in fear.

Three safaris, countless magical visuals, and a whole lot of memories.

Glam Night: Bush Dinner

That night, we dressed in black for a glam-themed bush dinner. A long table, bonfire, fire mashals, everything looked straight out of a dream. Something I had always wanted to experience with close friends.

The birthday boy began his never-ending speech (we prayed for mercy), and then everyone shared their favourite memories with him. He truly is a character, funny, dramatic, and unforgettable.

The night ended with a group photo and full hearts. Two days felt REAL, not a dream.

And the celebration wasn’t over yet, the wife had planned one more safari for Sunday, now that he’s officially an action-packed-Sunday guy.

Next year, it’s his turn to plan her 40th. Good luck to him.

Photographer : Vrutika Doshi