Ranthambore National Park is a government tiger reserve of India, where you will not only get an opportunity to see the endangered Indian Tiger (incredibly beautiful) but also there will be a wide range of other wildlife from Rajasthan’s northern state. Half of the world’s tiger population is in India. Tigers are still somewhat elusive in Ranthambore and during the jungle safari there are not guaranteed to see tigers. But going to Jungle Safari in Ranthambore National Park is a great wildlife experience, where, we can have great opportunity to see these fantastic wild animals in their natural habitat.
During my November visit at Ranthambore National Park, fresh air of the forest and beautiful landscape of the park has fascinated me. Even without wild animals, it is beautiful to see the park’s grasslands, slope and valley and mountain ranges of the Aravali and Vindhya .
Valued, Mysterious, Rare and Preserved
Tiger is always respected and feared in India for his power and strength. Tiger has a long legendary and mythical history in India. There is no doubt in his ability to show his power, why the Indian royals and the invaders of the country hunted this beautiful animal. At the end of the 20th century, the estimated population of tigers in India was 40,000. But according to 1972 census in India, the estimated population of tigers was 1800 and the Government of India established Project Tiger in 1973. Under the project tiger, Indian Government has created nine wildlife tiger reserve, which aimed to increase the Tiger population in India. After this, till now the number of tiger reserves in India has reached 50, which are governed by Project Tiger. And while the poaching remains a problem not only in the country but in the whole world, as per the Global Tiger Forum and World Wildlife Fund. The numbers of tiger population have increased to an expected 3,890 as of 2016.
Jeep safari experience in Ranthambore Park
It was early morning. We were taken into the Park by Jeep. Jungle safari in Ranthambore National park is under control of the Forest department (Govt. of India). There are two slot for visit the park, one in early mooring and second one afternoon. Hours and reach are regulated in different parts of the park. There is critical habitat of the Park (CTH) of the park where park is visited by Jeep and Canter. It covers around 150 square miles. Although statistics and experiences are different, of course, there is a 60-70% chance tiger sighting on any one drive.
We entered the park with the rising sun. Our jeep went through the ruins of the pavilion built in the park, which are scattered everywhere in the Forest. You will see many banyan trees on the way, which includes India’s second largest Banyan tree, located near JogiMahal. The Spreading roots and dangling branches make it more beautiful. Driver stopped our Jeep Just before for a herds of deer, we were allowed take some pictures.
“Shall we go?” Our Nature guide asked a little later.
“Tiger on!” A woman from our group cheered. The tragedy of his rally was our apprehension that we would get an encounter with our prestigious tiger.
Jungle Safari in Ranthambore National Park: More than Tigers
A jungle safari trip at Ranthambore National Park provides a surprising variety of wildlife, as well as fauna and flora in natural habitat.
We saw beautiful and big sambar deer in those three safari zones and we visited also spotted young deer, langur , blue bull and many birds.
There are herds of the spotted deer in the Ranthambore National Park, these types of deer are also known as cheetal or axis deer. They appear more like the North American deer, but they are certainly the native inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent. Obviously, they often have seen near trees which are home to Langur. Because the langurs monkeys will be vocal about warning them because the predator is all around, and the langur drops the leaves and fruit, that deer will eat them.
Watching monkey’s activities was great fun, especially with their children.
Marsh crocodiles were visible into the water and on the shores of the grass on the water. These crocodiles were quite large in sizes, who were sunbathing in a serious posture.
I really enjoyed seeing the blue bull or Nilgai in the tiger reserve. It is Asia’s largest antelope species. And this is the only member of its genus. Its scientific name is Boselaphus. Apart from its bluish color coat, I liked his head which is a little like a combination of deer, antelope, and horse. And its size and perimeter were impressive. They are really unique.
We saw also group of wild boar which were roaming both the small and the big packs. There are some other wild animals in Ranthambore National park, living in their natural habitat including such as leopards (mostly in the hills), Jungle Cat, Jackal, hyena and sloth bears.
Tiger !Tiger !Tiger !
“Tigress Arrowhead is still the main attraction of the Ranthambore National Park”
Same day we were in our second afternoon drive to Ranthambore National Park , as soon as we entered the main route of the allocated safari zone, we saw foot print of the Tiger on the roadside. We came to know from our nature guide that footprints are fresh and we could feel this, and I felt that the first thrill might be that, we may be lucky and see the elusive tiger.
We went a little further that driver sudden stopped the jeep. We Saw TIGER, She was going from the road to the hill side. She was walking slowly along the Road and she was simultaneously spraying urine on the bushes for her territory marking. We saw it, this was real. We were getting a chance to see a Royal Bengal Tiger in Ranthambore National Park. Her paws were fabulous. She was magnificent. Our excitement has made us better. The guide told us about this tigress that this is the arrowhead and she is granddaughter of Machli (T16) . Machli was Ranthambore’s most famous tigress, who has recently died in 2016. And gradually Tigress “Arrowhead” (known officially as T-84) has disappeared into the bushes. And in this way we enjoyed the Jungle safari in Ranthambore National Park.
Reach There, Stay There
Ranthambore National park is located at Sawai Madhopur district in Rajasthan and it is well connected by Road and rail way line with all major cities in India. Ranthambore is around 175 km from Jaipur and it is nearest airport of the Ranthambore National Park. Nearest Railway station of the Ranthambore is Sawai Madhopur which is approx 14 kilometer from the Park.
There are many options to stay in Ranthambore National Park. There are many Hotels and Resorts in Ranthambore National Park, Includes Budget, Standard, Deluxe and Luxury Hotels. There are also luxury jungle tented camps in Ranthambore National Park.
You can make plan your trip to Ranthambore for 2 or 3 nights stay, so that you can take more than one jungle safari into the park and also can visit Ranthambore Fort, which is 10th century old fort, It is situated on the top of a hill and in 2013, Ranthambhore Fort was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the group Hill Forts of Rajasthan.
 but also there will be a wide range of other wildlife from Rajasthan's northern state. Half of the world's tiger population is in India.){kind=link}