Option 1 -> The passage doesn't mention experiencing a tree house feeling as the purpose; the machaan was a strategic observation point.
Option 2 -> The passage explicitly states "So we sat, hoping that a tiger or leopard would come down for a drink," indicating they were waiting to observe predators like tigers and leopards at the waterhole.
Option 3 -> The elephants dropped them off and would return later for pickup; this wasn't the purpose of the machaan visit.
Option 4 -> While the machaan overlooked the forest, enjoying scenic beauty wasn't the stated objective; they had a specific wildlife observation goal.
Hence, Option 2 -> The text clearly mentions they sat on the machaan "hoping that a tiger or leopard would come down for a drink" at the waterhole, which directly indicates their purpose was to observe predators (tigers and leopards) in their natural forest habitat -> correct