Ranthambore National Park- Land Of The TIGER!!!

It has been more than 2 months since I went to Ranthambore but had not been able to take out time to write and share my experience with you. This time I took train to Sawai Madhopur from Delhi. It's really convenient, just take an overnight train and by the time you wake up you are already in Sawai Madhopur. 

 

 

 Road distance between Delhi/Gurgaon and Ranthambore- 350Kms

 

Road Map between Delhi/Gurgaon and Ranthambore- 

 The road condition is good thru out with small bad patches here and there. 

Kingfisher- Waiting for the Fish!!!

 

 

  

 

Water Snake

 

 

 

 

Spotted Deer- I can be spotted in Plenty!!!

 Ranthambore National Park is hardly 10 kms drive from Sawai Madhopur railway station. It is located at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya hill range. I don't even remember how many times I have been to this park!!! I guess it should be close to 12-13 times. It always excites me, gives one the opportunity to connect back with nature. A boon for wildlife lovers. 

 

 

 

 

 

Tree Pie

 

 

Nahargarh Ranthambore

  

 

 

 

Jungle Babbler AKA Saat Bhai in Hindi

 

 It's the Land Of The Tigers!!! Though I was not lucky enough to sight one this time but that's how it is, this uncertainty keeps the interest alive. Here the King is the Tiger, he chooses to see you, you wander around the whole park hoping to be seen!!! It's said that Tigers of Ranthambore are the most camera friendliest Tigers in the world. I personally have sighted them many times  and sometimes for 25-30 mins in one go. Watching Tiger in the wild, in his own territory, is an experience of its own.  I did 4 safaris back to back this time. It is advisable to book your safari tickets well in advance by logging on to http://www.rajasthanwildlife.in/ .  

 

Following are the park timings according to seasons :-

Oct 1-Oct 31:      6.30am-10.00am & 2.30pm-6.00pm

Nov 1-Jan 31:     7.00am-10.30am & 2.00pm-5.30pm

Feb 1-Mar 31:      6.30am-10.00am & 2.30pm-6.00pm

Apr 1-May 15:     6.00am- 9.30am & 3.00pm-6.30pm

May 16-Jun 30:    6.00am- 9.30am & 3.30pm-7.00pm

   July 1 – Sep 30:     Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve CLOSED

 

According to me, the best time to go to the park is between April and June. This is the time when it gets really hot and the animals come out to quench their thirst at one of the three big lakes in the Park. These three big lakes are Padam Talab, Malik Talab and Raj Bagh. The park lies in Sawai Madhopur distt of Rajasthan covering a total are of 392 square Kms. The park is divided into 8 zones. You are alloted zone randomly right at the counter while they allot you the vehicle number. Zone 3 and 4 are my personal favoutires because of the 3 lakes they cover.  The presence of the these large water bodies gives us good chance to see number of birds in these zones. The most important birds in Ranthambore include Graylag Goose, Woodpeckers, Indian Gray Hornbills, Common Kingfishers, Bee Eaters, Cuckoos, Parakeets, Asian Palm Swift, Owl, Nightjars, Pigeon, Dove, Crakes, Snipes, Sandpipers, Gulls, Terns, Great Crested Grebe, Eagles, Darters, Cormorants, Egrets, Herons, Bitterns, Flamingos, Ibis, Pelicans, Storks, Pittas, Shrikes, Treepies, Crows, Orioles, Cuckoo-Shrikes, Minivets, Drongos, Flycatchers, Ioras, Wood Shrikes, Pipits, Bayas, Sparrows, Finches, Wagtails, Munias, Bulbul, Mynas, Falcons etc. Talking about animals, one can see Tigers, Leopards, Striped Hyenas, Sambar deer, Chital, Nilgai, Common or Hanuman langurs, Macaques, Jackals, Jungle cats, Caracals, Sloth bears, Black bucks, Rufoustailed Hare, Indian Wild Boar, Chinkara, Common Palm Civets or Toddy cat, Coomon Yellow Bats, Desert Cats, Fivestriped Palm Squirels, Indian False Vampires, Indian Flying Foxes, Indian Foxes, Indian Gerbilles, Indian Mole Rats, Indian Porcupines, Longeared Hedgehogs, Ratels, Small Indian Mongoose, Small Indian Civets and Common mongoose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Green-headed Duck - Anas platyrhynchos Mallard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Samber Deer- Tiger's Favourite Food

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Male Spotted Deer

 

 

 

 

 

Baby Crocodile

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crocodile by the Lake

 

 

 

 

 

Parakeet

 

 

 

 

 

Brown Fish Owl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black Headed Heron

 

 

 

 

Black headed ibis

 

 

 

 

  

 

Kingfisher- Sitting in the Shade

 

 

 

  

 

Jungle Babbler- Angry Birds!!!!

There are plenty of options available to stay around the park. Right from The Oberoi VanyaVillas charging close to 25000\- a night for a luxury tent to Hotel Dev Palace charging close to 1500\- a night. Mr Sanju of Dev Palace helped me with Safari Bookings as well as getting me a train ticket back to Delhi. For me, he is one stop solution for any of my needs in Ranthambore. The guy is a local and really helpful. His contact no is +91 9983053968

 

Recommended Places to stay  in Ranthambore:-

1. Oberoi Vanyavilas ( Expensive but an amazing place to stay) Contact no- +91 7462 22 3999

2. Vivanta by Taj- Ranthambore Lodge   Contact no +91 7462 22 0541

3. Hotel Sanctuary Resort ( Decent place, value for money) Contact no-  07462-224890, +91- 9414780956

4. Tiger Moon Resort (One of the oldest resorts in Ranthambore, right at the edge of the park) Contact no- 07462 - 252284

5. Castle Jhoomar Baori ( Govt run Hotel, Excellent location but lacks in service) Website- http://www.rtdc.in/jhoomarbaori.htm

6. The Ranthambore Bagh ( Excellent hotel, very nice staff, great service. Top Recomemded- The Owner Adtiya Singh is a passionate wildlife photographer and runs the property exceptionally well) Contact no- +91 8239166777 ) 

7. Hotel Dev Palace ( Value for money, for budget travellers) Contact no-+91 9983053968

 

8. Nahargarh Ranthambore ( Tariff is bit on the higher side but I would say you get what you pay for!! Recommended ) Contact no- +91 7462 252281, 252282, 252283

  

In Nutshell, Ranthambore National park is a wildlife enthusiast and photographer's dream.