Ranthambore National Park has always been the center point of wildlife enthusiasts’ den. Taking a safari to see the majestic tigers was one of the highlights for any traveler by any means. Due to the lack of fear for the tigers from human presence in vehicles, the safari has made even exciting for the tourists. I basically inspired to visit this place while I used to watch Indian naturalist Valmik Thapar’s TV episode of Land of the Tiger on Animal Planet in 2004 or 2005. Ranthambore Wildlife Enthusiasts’ Den is in Sawai Madhopor District of Rajasthan state, India. This is one of the finest places to view wild animals because it contains a huge variety of animals, birds, and reptiles within it. Ranthambore National Park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and it got the status of a National Park in 1981.
Guide tour to Ranthambore, Wildlife Enthusiasts’ Den
This predator’s land is one of the best forests in the world to see magnificent creatures. The chances of seeing a tiger in Ranthambore National Park are quite good, especially if you take several safaris. But there are other animals including sloth bears, monkeys, birds, deer, crocodiles, and leopards, amongst others. I was lucky enough to go on safari in Ranthambore 2 times in 2019, experiencing canter safaris in both cases. So I have plenty of tips and information for my readers if they plan to visit someday in Wildlives Enthusiasts’ Paradise. Find out everything you need to know through my personal experience. At the end of my blog, readers can get the excitement of safaris through videologue.
How to get to Wildlife Enthusiasts’ Den
Sawai Madhopur is the closest city to Ranthambore National Park, which makes it the ideal for me to visit. Thankfully the city has good public transport links with several major cities of Rajasthan and Delhi. So it’s both easy and relatively cheaper to get there.
How did I reach to Wildlife Enthusiasts’ Den
I was planning to visit Ranthambore since long. Finally, it was made possible when I visited India to meet my friends after 2 decades of our graduation. I connected a couple of Ranthambore tour operators through a google search. After rigorous follow-ups and checking especially to book train ticket as a foreigner and safari schedule, I finally decided to go with Cultural Safari Tours service. To do it smoothly, I had to take support from one of my close friends who lives in Delhi for advance payment and all. Fortunately, everything was set before onboarding to the train from Delhi. And I was well received by the head of the tour operator, Mr Sudhir at Sawai Madhopor railway station in the designated time.
Ideal Time to Visit the Park
There is no such suitable time to visit Ranthambore National Park. However, the probability to see tigers in the month of May and June. During these months of extreme summertime, tigers come out from deep jungle to lakeshore for cooling down. Visitors have a high tendency to spot tigers during these 2 months. Having said that, luck is a big factor. That’s to say, I went to Ranthambore in early October of 2019 with an abortive mission. Just after a couple of days of my visit, few lucky visitors found big cats in great action.
Jeep vs Canter Safari
There are two different types of safaris visitors can take in Ranthambore National Park – a jeep or a canter safari. Jeep safaris are sometimes referred to as gypsy safaris, but it’s just a different name for exactly the same thing. In both safaris, one commonality is there i.e. hoodless safari. Canter has an interesting shape to draw attention while it plies on the road of Madhopor. But it was befitting while it was in the safari park. I had taken 2 safaris that were both in canter.
Best Safari Zone
Ranthambore National Park has 10 zones altogether. But per safari, a visitor can visit only one zone at a time. There were lots of discussions over which zones have the possibility of seeing the big cats. In reality, there is no ‘best zone’ in Ranthambore National Park, as it mostly depends on tiger luck.
Safari Times
Safaris in Ranthambore National Park are split into two-time slots – morning safaris and afternoon safaris. My plan was so immaculate that I could utilize the whole day without hampering safari times. In my case, I had taken 7 am to 10.30 am slot in the morning in Zone 3 and 3 pm to 6.30 pm slot in the afternoon in Zone 6.
How to Book a Safari?
Booking a safari in Ranthambore National Park is relatively straightforward if you decide to book through a local tour operator. In my case, Cultural Safari Tours did all the formalities. I just paid his service fees soon after lodged to my hotel which was also booked by them. I was pretty happy with all the services they had given me as they are experienced in giving services to foreigners on a daily basis.
Budget Indication of the Safari
If I sum up my tour expenditure, it costs only US dollar 150 only. Train ticket – both ways, 2 canter safaris cost included US dollar 110 which I had paid to the tour operator. Whereas accommodation in Ankur Resort Ranthambore, 3 meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and souvenir shopping cost around US dollar 40.
Conclusion Note
Both ways of my journey by train were scheduled at night. It was so relaxing for me to take proper sleep and food aboard before getting into action in both ways. Covering 724km from New Delhi-Sawai Madhopor-New Delhi (up-down) took 12 hours in total. My advice to the readers to avail overnight train journey for their comforts in a smarter way.