Ranthambore - A tete-e-tete with the Royal Bengal Tiger

For many years up until the beginning of 21st century very few would plan a great outdoor holiday in India or explored the dense Indian forests and the rich wildlife experience they offered. But with the turn of the millennium, India saw a shift in the travel trends and witnessed both domestic and international tourists thronging the many interesting national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of the country.

One such national park to catapult into limelight, of course for good reasons, is the Ranthambore National Park. Situated right next to Sawai Madhopur (nearest railhead) on the eastern fringes of Rajasthan, the park boasts of one of the highest density of tigers and promises a good sighting to its visitors. About 130kms from Jaipur (nearest airport) and 385kms from Delhi, Ranthambore can be reached both by road and rail.

Ranthambore is one of the most popular national parks of the country, it is an extensive reserve host to various animals, such as leopards, crocodiles, sloths, hyenas, even birds and most prominently, tigers. What differentiates Ranthambore from most other national parks is that it is not just a place to see nature and wildlife, the town is also filled with rich history. Once considered as a famous and preferred hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, Ranthambore is home to an impressive fort with historical palaces, temples and a prominent lake. The Trinetra Ganesh temple inside the fort is the only one in the world where Lord Ganesha is depicted with three eyes and should be on every must-do list. Even if one is not a wildlife photographer or die-hard enthusiast, a 2-3 day trip is a perfect opportunity to savour the town and say a quick hello to the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger. And trust us, that one meeting with the tiger is enough to get anyone hooked and keep wanting to return for more.

A typical 2-day itinerary to Ranthambore should include one morning, one evening safari, half a day for visit to the fort and some shopping for souvenir. Ranthambore National Park is divided into many zones, for logistical and surveillance purposes and safaris have to be booked zone wise for morning or evening time slots in either private jeeps or canters. They can be booked at https://www.ranthamborenationalpark.in/online-safari-booking-ranthambore. html with valid Govt issued ID proofs for each tourist. You can select the zones you would wish to visit, though it is good to remember that tigers, or any other animals, do not follow any zones in their movement.

Ranthambore offers a wide array of stay options in all luxury, mid and budget range. One can choose from the uber luxurious Aman-i-Khas or the Oberoi Vanya Vilas to truly live the royal wildlife experience. The RTDC’s forest lodge called Jhoomar Bawri is a unique option as it is the only property situated atop a hillock, thereby has the most enviable views of the national park from top. For major meals, one must book with the hotels as some of them are located quite far and away from main market areas. However it is highly recommended that on your way back from the morning Safaris, just outside the national park gates, one must stop for some fresh hot poha, crisp kachoris and sweets for breakfast. This also makes for a perfect opportunity to share with fellow tourists stories of sightings, games and the forest feel. For shopping souvenirs one can visit Dastkar’s Ranthambore centre which has exquisite handicrafts and proceeds from all sale directly benefits local women.