27th – 30th December 2013
Ranthambore National park is one of the most accessible forests
in India. It is just 15 km from district headquarters of Sawai Madhopur which
is 150 km from Jaipur and well connected by train. And hence it attracts far
more visitors than other parks. Thanks to several documentaries from leading TV
channels like BBC, the name Ranthambore is also well known among generic
public.
in India. It is just 15 km from district headquarters of Sawai Madhopur which
is 150 km from Jaipur and well connected by train. And hence it attracts far
more visitors than other parks. Thanks to several documentaries from leading TV
channels like BBC, the name Ranthambore is also well known among generic
public.
Tigers are the main attraction here though luck plays a
major role in sighting them. For example, I went on four safaris but found
Tiger only on the last one at the eleventh minute. If you are targeting tigers,
go in summer when water scarcity drives animals to the very few water holes in
the forest. Sighting becomes relatively easier then. For less tiger hungry
people, Ranthambore has much more to offer (and so are the other forests).
major role in sighting them. For example, I went on four safaris but found
Tiger only on the last one at the eleventh minute. If you are targeting tigers,
go in summer when water scarcity drives animals to the very few water holes in
the forest. Sighting becomes relatively easier then. For less tiger hungry
people, Ranthambore has much more to offer (and so are the other forests).
What I missed were my friends Elephants and Bison. They are
simply not there in Ranthambore. Sambar deer are in huge numbers compared to
our forests in Karnataka. And there are Nilgai.
simply not there in Ranthambore. Sambar deer are in huge numbers compared to
our forests in Karnataka. And there are Nilgai.
Birds are innumerable. I am not a serious birder and hence
it is possible that I missed most of them!! But there are plenty of them.
it is possible that I missed most of them!! But there are plenty of them.
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| Cormorant |
Peacocks are almost tamed and so are the treepie.
There are several lakes in Ranthambore which are picturesque.
Whether it is against the backdrop of falling sun or the moss that covers the
lake, they all look beautiful.
Whether it is against the backdrop of falling sun or the moss that covers the
lake, they all look beautiful.
And there are many crocodiles to watch in these lakes and streams!!
Where to stay?
The road from Sawai Madhopur to the national park is teaming
with lodges and resort. Prices vary from Rs 500 to > 50,000!! Choose your
budget and luxury levels. Unlike in Karnataka one need not stay in luxury
resorts to get into a Jeep safari in Ranthambore.
with lodges and resort. Prices vary from Rs 500 to > 50,000!! Choose your
budget and luxury levels. Unlike in Karnataka one need not stay in luxury
resorts to get into a Jeep safari in Ranthambore.
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| Brahminy Duck |
How to book safari?
This is the most important part of your Ranthambore trip.
Whether you book a lodge or not does not matter. But make sure you book your
safari before arriving to Ranthambore. The easiest option for common man is online
booking on their website (http://www.rajasthanwildlife.in/make_your_trip/Ranthmbor/planyourtrip.jsp
). The website was extremely buggy when I booked but that is the only option.
Route 1 -5 have good animal sightings while 6, 7 and 8 lie on the other side of
the park and not favourite among tourists.
Whether you book a lodge or not does not matter. But make sure you book your
safari before arriving to Ranthambore. The easiest option for common man is online
booking on their website (http://www.rajasthanwildlife.in/make_your_trip/Ranthmbor/planyourtrip.jsp
). The website was extremely buggy when I booked but that is the only option.
Route 1 -5 have good animal sightings while 6, 7 and 8 lie on the other side of
the park and not favourite among tourists.
The advantage is that you only book for your seat and not
for entire vehicle. A great boon for solo travelers!! I do not know the procedure
if you want entire vehicle for yourself but it is possible as I saw few Jeeps
with one or two people. (Book entire Jeep with dummy names??). When you book,
the website asks for the hotel to pick you up!! Looks cool!!
for entire vehicle. A great boon for solo travelers!! I do not know the procedure
if you want entire vehicle for yourself but it is possible as I saw few Jeeps
with one or two people. (Book entire Jeep with dummy names??). When you book,
the website asks for the hotel to pick you up!! Looks cool!!
But it is not so simple!! While booking, you will only pay part
of the money with rest being paid just before safari at forest department
office!! And only then you get boarding rights!! Ah!! So much so for asking
pick up points while booking!!!! The easiest way is to ask hotel person to do
it on your behalf. They will take additional money as service but that avoids
the hassles of standing in the queue and dealing with unfriendly people.
of the money with rest being paid just before safari at forest department
office!! And only then you get boarding rights!! Ah!! So much so for asking
pick up points while booking!!!! The easiest way is to ask hotel person to do
it on your behalf. They will take additional money as service but that avoids
the hassles of standing in the queue and dealing with unfriendly people.
Jeep safari is the best. Canters are also available but consider it if Jeep is not available.
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| Tree pie!! |
Oh!! I missed one more important place…. In the next post!!
If you are still searching for tiger, click here!!
Siddhartha Joshi
Fantastic pics dude! 🙂
R Niranjan Das
Lovely post and informative too.
Aravind GJ
Siddartha, Niranjan,
Thanks for your comments.
Shahib Alam
Aravind here in you post, you have clicked superb quality pics.
You Aravind, you must visit Dudhwa National Park because you will have lots of click of tigers and deer with superb and classic birds pics..