It was 2:00 pm, our guide called our names and we ran to find the perfect seat in the canter. There was some different sort of enthusiasm for the Jungle Safari in tiger rich Ranthambore National Park despite the one we had done earlier at Sariska National Park.
Our guide checked our ID’s and in minutes we had hit the road & our canter started swaying on the laden paths of Ranthambore. Just a few Kilometers ahead from the registration counter, and we entered the enclosed Jogi Mahal Gate and then an old gate decorated with one of the oldest Banyan trees for Zone 3. On one side stood the grand Ranthambore fort whereas on another side the crazy enclosed wild world. My eyes were transfixed to the door. It looked extremely magical. Indeed, Tashi was mocking that have you got some binocular power and will trace the tiger from far in the jungle.
View this post on InstagramRay of Hope!! . . . As we checked into @fernresidency at #sawaimadhopur, we saw this painting on their reception wall. We were in awe and wanted to see it in real and there we were!! This gate was huge and hundred years old tree added magic to it. So, this is the magical entrance to #ranthamborenationalpark !! . . . . . . #ranthambore #ranthambhore #ranthambhorenationalpark #ranthamboretigerreserve #nationalparks #nationalgeographic #nationalparkphotography #naturephotography #nationalgeographic_ #india_clicks #tigerreserve #indiaphotography #indiaeveryday #indiatourism #allgudthings #naturelovers #nature_photography #indiaphotos #travelbook #travelphotos #traveltheworld #rajasthan_tourism #rajasthan_diaries #rajasthantourism #rajasthantrip #nature_of_our_world #incredibleindia
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From there on our canter started noodling on the dusty narrow roads and guide took his position to be in action. And in the next 5 minutes, he noticed some animal sitting in the old structure. Stop there, he said and everybody in the canter started gazing in the pointed finger direction without blinking. In the bold tone he continued, look there – There is something. Oh really, What? Everybody stood up and started moving here and there to find is it Jungle King or Queen in its natural habitat. It was far from us and completely camouflaged, but did it came out to break our suspense? Could we find what it was? Wait to know the complete story! And before that, let’s learn a little about Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and the jungle safari there.
About Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore national park lies near Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan, North India, between the Aravalli and Vindhyan Mountain Range. It has got its name from the Ranthambore Fort located within the jungle. The national park was initially spread over 282 km2 but today it covers an area of 1334 km2. In the year 1955, it was just a hunting ground for the Jaipur Royals and today after all the measures it is one of the biggest national parks in the world with numerous types of species, flora and fauna.
 100vw, 1200px”><figcaption>Entry to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, India</figcaption></figure>
</div>
<p>Looking<br />
at its <strong>history</strong> year wise </p>
<ul>
<li><strong>1955</strong>– Established as Sawai Madhopur Gaming Sanctuary by Government of India (GOI)</li>
<li><strong>1973 </strong>– Declared as the Project Tiger Reserve</li>
<li><strong>1 Nov 1980</strong> – Became Ranthambore National Park</li>
<li><strong>1984</strong> – Adjacent Forests were declared – <strong><em>Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary</em></strong> and <strong><em>Keladevi Sanctuary</em></strong></li>
<li><strong>1992</strong> – Tiger Reserve was expanded. The adjoining Keladevi Sanctuary was merged in the north and Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary in the south. And the total area became 1334 km<sup>2.</sup></li>
</ul>
<p>Today the Ranthambore Park is divided into 10 zones where the <strong>Zone 1-6 </strong>are designated as the <strong>“core zones”</strong> and <strong>zone 7-10</strong> are known as the “<strong>buffer zones</strong>“, and note that all zones have tigers.</p>
<p>Ranthambore forest is highly rich in flora and fauna. The vegetation here is almost dry deciduous type, because of the scanty rainfalls. Dhok’ (Anogeissus pendula) is the most prominent tree in the forest and it constitutes about 80% of the vegetation here. Apart this, there are several medicinal plants (like Neem (Azadirachta Indica), Babul (Acacia Nilotica), Gum (Sterculia Urens), Kadam (Authocephalus Cadamba), Khajur (Phoenix Sylvestris), Khair (Acacia catechu) and fruit trees (like Mango, Jamun, Ber, Tamarind, etc) in the forest. Also, the national park is home to the oldest Banyan trees. </p>
<div>
<figure><img data-attachment-id=)
[email protected]
Cancellation
of Advanced Wildlife Tickets
All types of Advanced, half-day / full-day wildlife tickets can be canceled within the time frame.
| Cancellation From Date of visit | Refund Amount |
| 271 or more days | 75% |
| 181-270 days | 50% |
| 90-180 days | 25% |
| Less than 90 days | 0% |
Safari Registration Counter, Ranthambore National Park
For booking safari at the registration counter be ready to stand in a queue in the afternoon and get up early for the morning shifts. Also, the chances of getting pass purely work on first come first served.
 100vw, 1200px”><figcaption>Registration Counter for Safari at Ranthambore National Park</figcaption></figure>
</div>
<p>There are fixed<br />
operational timings and the schedule for it vary according to the months. </p>
<figure>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td> <strong>Month </strong></td>
<td><strong> Morning Shift </strong> </td>
<td> <strong>Evening Shift </strong> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
October
</td>
<td>
5:00<br />
am – 6:30 am
</td>
<td>
1:00<br />
pm – 2:30 pm
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
November<br />
– Dec- January
</td>
<td>
5:30<br />
am – 7:00 am
</td>
<td>
12:20<br />
pm – 2:00 pm
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
February<br />
– March
</td>
<td>
5:00<br />
am – 6:30 am
</td>
<td>
1:00<br />
pm – 2:30 pm
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
April<br />
– June
</td>
<td>
4:30<br />
am – 6:00 am
</td>
<td>
1:30<br />
pm – 3:00 pm
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<h3><span><strong>Through Hotel / Safari Operators</strong></span></h3>
<p>The<br />
easiest option for current booking is through hotel staff or safari operators.<br />
They definitely charge you somewhat more amount but also helps on the time. For<br />
booking via them, remember to carry your I – card & Photograph. </p>
<p>We<br />
booked all our safaris through hotel staff by just handing them documents, cash<br />
and telling them the preferable zones. For Canter Safari we paid Rs. 1000/-<br />
each whereas for Gypsy safari we paid Rs. 1500/- each.</p>
<h2><span><strong>Cost for Ranthambore Safari</strong></span></h2>
<p>The cost for a safari in the Ranthambore national park varies according to the type of chosen safari, vehicle and from where you have got it booked. Sometimes, it may vary with the zone too, which means the prices quoted for zone 1-6 can be higher than zone 7-10 whereas there is no discrimination on govt. portal and at the registration counter.</p>
<figure>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<strong>Type</strong>
</td>
<td>
<strong>Vehicle</strong>
</td>
<td>
<strong>On Govt. Portal (per person per seat)</strong>
</td>
<td>
<strong>Private Portals (per person per seat)</strong>
</td>
<td>
<strong>Registration Counter (per person per seat)</strong>
</td>
<td>
<strong>By Hotels / Safari Tour operators (per person per seat)</strong>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<strong>Indian</strong>
</td>
<td>
<strong>Foreigners</strong>
</td>
<td>
<strong>Indian</strong>
</td>
<td>
<strong>Foreigners</strong>
</td>
<td>
<strong>Indian</strong>
</td>
<td>
<strong>Foreigners</strong>
</td>
<td>
<strong>Indian</strong>
</td>
<td>
<strong>Foreigners</strong>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<strong>Morning / Evening Shift Safari</strong>
</td>
<td>
Canter
</td>
<td>
Rs. 600- 650/-
</td>
<td>
Rs. 1400- 1500/-
</td>
<td>
Rs. 1200/- 1400/-
</td>
<td>
Rs. 2000-2500/-
</td>
<td>
Rs. 500- 600/-
</td>
<td>
Rs. 1000 – 1200/-
</td>
<td>
Rs. 1000- 1200/-
</td>
<td>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Gypsy
</td>
<td>
Rs. 1000- 1100/-
</td>
<td>
Rs. 1800- 2000/-
</td>
<td>
Rs. 1600/- 1800/-
</td>
<td>
Rs. 2500-3000/-
</td>
<td>
Rs. 800- 900/-
</td>
<td>
Rs. 1800- 2000/-
</td>
<td>
Rs. 1500- 1600/-
</td>
<td>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<strong>Half Day Safari</strong>
</td>
<td>
Gypsy
</td>
<td>
Rs. 3300/-
</td>
<td>
Rs. 4400
</td>
<td>
</td>
<td>
</td>
<td>
</td>
<td>
</td>
<td>
Rs. 40,000 – 50,000/-
</td>
<td>
Rs. 50,000 – 60,000/-
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<strong>Full Day Safari</strong>
</td>
<td>
Gypsy
</td>
<td>
Rs. 6600/-
</td>
<td>
Rs. 8800
</td>
<td>
</td>
<td>
</td>
<td>
</td>
<td>
</td>
<td>
Rs. 50,000 – 60,000/-
</td>
<td>
Rs. 70,000 – 75,000/-
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<p><strong>Note</strong> –<br />
The pricing mentioned above also includes the vehicle and guide cost. Do check<br />
the same with safari operators and hotels. </p>
<h2><span><strong>Timings for Jungle Safari in<br />
Ranthambore</strong></span></h2>
<p>At Ranthambore, Jungle safari takes place in two slots i.e. Morning and evening. But the timings vary every month acc. to sunrise and sunset. Apart from this, there are other options of a full day and half-day safari, mostly booked by photographers, wildlife enthusiasts.</p>
<figure>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<strong>Month</strong>
</td>
<td>
<strong>Morning<br />
Timing</strong>
</td>
<td>
<strong>Evening<br />
Timing</strong>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
1<sup>st</sup><br />
Oct -31<sup>st</sup> Oct
</td>
<td>
7:00- 10:30 am
</td>
<td>
2:30 – 6:00 pm
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
1<sup>st</sup> Nov – 31<sup>st</sup> Jan
</td>
<td>
7:00- 10:30 am
</td>
<td>
2:00 – 5:30 pm
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
1<sup>st</sup> Feb – 31<sup>st</sup> March
</td>
<td>
6:30- 10:00 am
</td>
<td>
2:30 – 6:00 pm
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
1<sup>st</sup> April -15<sup>th</sup> May
</td>
<td>
6:00- 09:30 am
</td>
<td>
3:00 – 6:30 pm
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
16<sup>th</sup> May – 30<sup>th</sup> June
</td>
<td>
6:00- 09:30 am
</td>
<td>
3:30 – 7:00 pm
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<p><strong>Note:</strong> If you have got your bookings done by the hotel, the<br />
designated canter / Jeep will pick you almost 15 -20 minutes’ prior the slot,<br />
from your hotel premises and the hotel will guide you to be ready half an hour<br />
before the slot. </p>
<h2><span><strong>Continuing the Afternoon Jungle<br />
Safari Story … Did we see what it was?</strong></span></h2>
<p>Not 1, but 20 of the gazes were still fixed in the pointed direction and one after another gypsies and canters started queuing behind us. They too started questioning our guide what it is- he said something in code words and then someone from the public said stripped big cat – Tiger or the spotted cat- leopard. Lined up vehicles no. kept growing from 2-3 to 6-7 and it looked no less than a traffic jam. </p>
<div>
<figure><img data-attachment-id=)
Peek-a-boo !! . . . The first look of tigress – cub of T-84(Arrowhead) after a long wait !! . . . . #ranthambore #ranthambhore #ranthambhorenationalpark #ranthamboretigerreserve #nationalparks #nationalgeographic #nationalparkphotography #naturephotography #nationalgeographic_ #india_clicks #tigerreserve #indiaphotography #indiaeveryday #indiatourism #allgudthings #naturelovers #nature_photography #indiaphotos #travelbook #travelphotos #traveltheworld #rajasthan_tourism #rajasthan_diaries #rajasthantourism #rajasthantrip #nature_of_our_world #tigerstripes
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OMG! and behind it came the second one in no time. What a perfect view! Both the cubs of T-84 smiling and looking at each other. Incredible. The scene continued for almost 10 minutes and then one of them took a U-turn back to the bushes.
View this post on InstagramRiddhi & Siddhi (Daughters of T-84, arrowhead) in some secretive talks!! . . . . . . #ranthambore #ranthambhore #ranthambhorenationalpark #ranthamboretigerreserve #nationalparks #nationalgeographic #nationalparkphotography #naturephotography #nationalgeographic_ #india_clicks #tigerreserve #indiaphotography #indiaeveryday #indiatourism #allgudthings #naturelovers #nature_photography #indiaphotos #travelbook #travelphotos #traveltheworld #rajasthan_tourism #rajasthan_diaries #rajasthantourism #rajasthantrip #nature_of_our_world #tigerstripes
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Another one crossed the stream, passed from the vehicles standing all around, jumped on the stone plinth, glistening in the sun, giving the perfect possess for the camera and then camouflaged back to the tall yellowish golden grass.
 100vw, 1200px”></figure>
</div>
<p>We still waited for the other cub to cross but it didn’t and then finally our guide decided to move. From there, he further decided to circumambulate around the Padam Talao and there we saw the spotted deer’s munching on the Dhok trees (Anogeissus pendula). The Spotted Deer’s were completely camouflaged in between the golden trees and golden trails, completely unaware of the passing vehicles. </p>
<div>
<figure><img data-attachment-id=)
Morning Glow !! @ranthamborepark @ranthamborenationalpark @ranthambhorepark @rajasthan_tourism . . . . . . #ranthambore #ranthambhore #ranthambhorenationalpark #ranthamboretigerreserve #nationalparks #nationalgeographic #nationalparkphotography #naturephotography #nationalgeographic_ #india_clicks #tigerreserve #indiaphotography #indiaeveryday #indiatourism #allgudthings #naturelovers #nature_photography #indiaphotos #travelbook #travelphotos #traveltheworld #rajasthan_tourism #rajasthan_diaries #rajasthantourism #rajasthantrip #nature_of_our_world #incredibleindia
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Further, we kept moving on the track of Zone 2 and it was time for sunrise. The sky was on fire and everything looks well painted in orange-gold. We noticed we were almost on the opposite side of the location, where we had seen T-84 cubs yesterday and there we heard a loud Call. The guide said probably it is of a Tiger. He asked the driver to halt and started looking all around with the telescopic eyes. Simultaneously we crossed our fingers, wished ourselves luck to see another one. 5 minutes passed to 15 minutes and a group of people started pouring on this track too and the chances of him coming out almost went to zero.
View this post on InstagramGates of Ranthambore!! . . . . Do you know locals circumambulate i.e. do the Parikrama in clockwise direction along the Ganesha Temple on every chauth i.e. on the fourth day of every month of Hindu Lunar calendar. This Treenatar Ganesha temple lies on the edge of cliff of #ranthamborefort & one can only complete the Parikrama just by walking along the hill, passing through the zone 2 – I.e. heart of #nationalpark ! . . Imagine every month thousands of pilgrims walk through it, despite the leopards and tigers 🐅!! . . . . . #ranthambore #ranthamborenationalpark #ranthambhore #ranthambhorenationalpark #ranthamboretigerreserve #nationalparks #nationalgeographic #nationalparkphotography #naturephotography #nationalgeographic_ #india_clicks #tigerreserve #indiaphotography #indiaeveryday #indiatourism #allgudthings #naturelovers #nature_photography #indiaphotos #travelbook #travelphotos #traveltheworld #rajasthan_tourism #rajasthan_diaries #rajasthantourism #rajasthantrip #nature_of_our_world
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With
a bit disappointed heart, we moved ahead on a different track where there will
be no devotees. And from here the jungle looked extremely different. Sunrays
had already painted it in golden hues. Nilgai/ Blue Bull was standing in
between the trees, looking for the food.
A few meters ahead, on one side we saw a herd of spotted deer/ Chital – some were hovering over the bushes, whereas others were digging the soil. There we learned something new from our guide that they too eat soil like the human kids. On another end, the herd of Sambhars was moving in a line towards the pond to quench their thirst. And Peacocks, peahens too had come out and started making noises to communicate with each other.
Village Women Craft
At village women, craft one can find and buy the local craft and artwork created by the village women of Ranthambore. These women use natural dyes and environmentally friendly material for fabrics. The patchwork, tie & die, block-printing, woodwork and handloom are the major attractions here.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Q. How to book for
Ranthambore Safari?
A. You can book it online as well as offline. We have explained all the options with pricing in detail.
Q. What is the best time
to visit Ranthambore?
A. October to March is considered as the
best time to visit.
Q. Which Zone is best
for Tiger Spotting?
A. Ranthambore Park has 10 zones and all zones have tigers. Still, the locals say Zone 1-6 are considered as the best zones.
Q. How early I need to book a safari?
A. Ranthambore Safari can be booked 365 days prior to the day of the visit.
Q. Can I book it
online on the same day?
A. You can definitely try. But the chances of getting gypsy
are almost zero.
Q. Can I choose the Safari
Zone in Ranthambore national park as per my preference?
A. You can only choose the zone as per your
preference, one year prior to the trip.
Q. Can we take our cars inside Ranthambore National Park?
A. Cars are allowed only up to the entry gate i.e. till
Ranthambore Fort.
Q. Are still and video
cameras allowed inside the park and do one need to pay extra for it?
A. One doesn’t need to pay extra for still cameras but yes there are extra charges for videography cameras.
Q. Is Safari safe for Adults & Children
A. Ranthambore Safari is safe as per our experience. On Safari, a naturalist guide will accompany you.
