Ranthambore – An adventurous stay in a jungle
This year had
been an exciting year, not only I got to see two National parks in distinct parts of India, (Read:Bandipur) but also in two discrete terrains with different adventure
altogether. I was never a person who would enjoy watching these wild beasts in
their natural habitat, but these two trips certainly changed my perspective.
Perhaps it had to do with the fact that I was in a land where the rules were
different, where a day was marked with sunrise and sunset. Perhaps it came from
the knowledge that the survival is only of the fittest. Whatever the reason,
the very sight of an animal in its own territory, on its own terms, makes for a
breathtaking moment and can change your perspective forever.
There is
something so mystical and exciting about being in a forest that for many of us,
a visit to the wilderness ranks as one of our best holiday experiences. For the
wildlife adventure enthusiasts, Ranthambore National Park in the Sawai Madhopur
district of Rajasthan is a perfect destination. Known to be one of the best
parks to spot the majestic Indian Tigers, the park is also the home to several
other endangered species. (Read: Rajasthan Wildlife Tour Package)
Birds: Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Common Kingfisher, Cormorant, Indian
Pitta, Painted Stork, Rufous Treepie, Stork-billed Kingfisher, White-breasted
Water hen, Sandpiper, Jacana, vultures, fowls and many more.
Animals: Crocodiles, Jungle Hare, Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar,
leopards, hyenas, blue bulls or neel gais, jackals, civet cats etc.
If you and your
partner are inclined towards the nature or the fascinating wildlife, you must
plan your honeymoon in Ranthambore National Park. The enthralling wildlife
safaris, tracing the beasts and moments in the luxury camps will surely make it
for an amazing honeymoon trip.
Just the bare necessities
Travelling in
the wilderness requires a special sensitivity. The laws of the jungle are
different but there are several ways to get the best out of your trip without
disturbing the natural habitats that you visit. Some tips that you can use from
those who’ve been there:
- Dress in muted forest colours
like greens, browns, beige and dull browns. Avoid orange, red, pink and bright
prints.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes
and don’t forget hat and sunglasses. High boots with socks are a sensible
option for jungle walks. Always check your shoes before you wear them for
creepy crawlies like scorpions.
- Try not to talk too much or
make loud sounds while journeying into the jungle.
- Do not get too close to the
animals and do not ever attempt to feed them.
- It is important to have your
own survival kit, such as a torch with extra batteries, basic medicines, salt
for leeches and other toiletries.
- Dress according to the season. An
outdoor jacket is necessary in winters. While it can be quite warm in the day,
evenings can get cold.
- Take some nuts/biscuits to
nibble (especially for the early morning safari) and water.
How to book your Ranthambore Trip
You can either plan your own trip or
leave it to wildlife experts. Booking through a travel agent or a wildlife
expert may cost you more but then you have the comfort of being in the hands of
professionals who personally travel to Ranthambore (and other such places)
several times a year, can assign you guides knowledgeable about the region’s flora
and fauna, and know the local and administrative people and processes very
well. Click here to book this tour
Wildlife Safari in Ranthambore National Park
There are two types of vehicles
permitted in Ranthambhore National Park, the Jeep and the Canter. The Jeep is a
six seater open-top vehicle, and the first choice for many. Demand for Jeeps is
very high, and so we recommend that you book at least 60 days in advance to
guarantee a Jeep safari. The Canter is a 16 seat open-top bus - its elevated
seats mean that you can see far into the jungle ahead, further than a Jeep
would allow. While the canter is a lot cheaper, I recommend a jeep as it gives
more flexibility to pause-stop-go.
 |
| Luxury Stay : Oberoi Vanya Vilas |
 |
| Stork |
 |
| One glimpse of the big cat gives an adrenal rush to its spectators |
 |
| Canter Safari |
 |
| Wood pecker |
 |
| Tiger in its hunt |
There are loads of things to do in
Ranthambhore besides the safari park. In particular, I would highly recommend a
guided tour of Ranthambhore Fort. The locals visit the fort to worship at the
famous Ganesh Temple, which lies within. The fort will enhance and complete any
visit to Ranthambhore National Park.
Note: The Ranthambore safari timings
change depending on the season
S. No.
|
Month
|
Morning Trip
|
Evening Trip
|
1
|
1st October to 31st October
|
7.00 A.M. to 10.30 A.M.
|
2.30 P.M. to 6.00 P.M.
|
2
|
1st November to 31st January
|
7.00 A.M. to 10.30 A.M.
|
2.00 P.M. to 5.30 P.M.
|
3
|
1st February to 31st March
|
6.30 A.M. to 10.00 A.M.
|
2.30 P.M. to 6.00 P.M.
|
4
|
1st April to 15th May
|
6.00 A.M. to 9.30 A.M.
|
3.00 P.M. to 6.30 P.M.
|
5
|
15th May to 30th June
|
6.00 A.M. to 9.30 A.M.
|
3.30 P.M. to 7.00 P.M
|
Ranthambore Safari Park Booking Tips
Visitors would
now have the option to take Safari for full day in the National Park. Maximum 5
jeeps are allowed to stay inside the park from sunrise to sunset and are
provided zone free access across Entire Park. This safari will give you the
best opportunity to see the variety of wildlife animals in the park.
*Breakfast and Lunch will be provided to
Visitors who take Full day Safari.
Fact file :
State : Rajasthan
Location
: Ranthambore lies at the
junction of the Aravallis and the Vindhyas in the south eastern quarter of
Rajasthan.
Distance by road: Delhi - 480 km (via Dausa), Jaipur -
180 km (via Tonk)
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