Tiger Safari at Ranthambore

Ranthambore is one of the most charismatic parks in India famous for its wildlife and birds. Ranthambore has a history as well. Long ruled by the Rajput clans that created magnificent structures some of which still remain intact. While on safari you can see manmade lakes, a fort, and the famous Ganesh Temple.   

Tiger at  Ranthambore

The Ranthambore fort is now devoid of humans and only the tigers inhabit it. On a tiger safari tourists see tigers sheltered in the ancient structure and ruins which makes the safari not only exciting but romantic as well.

Ranthambore National Park

The park was first established as Sawai Madhopur Game century in the year 1955. The former hunting ground of the Maharaja or Jaipur the last ruler was declared a Tiger Reserve in the year 1973 and a National Park in the year 1980.

Tigers of Ranthambore

The park was made famous by Machli the tigress who had developed a hunting method in water. She would hide near the lakes in the bushes to wait for the deer to come to the lake to browse aquatic plants. At an opportune moment, she would rush into the waters to kill the panicked deer and drag them into the shores to consume. This is not the end of the story for many times her prey would be grabbed by the crocodiles and an exciting tussle would ensue. This made Ranthambore famous all across the globe and major documentary makers and wildlife photographers arrived on a filming spree to Ranthambore.

Tiger in Lake

Many documentaries have been made of Macchli hunting the deer and a tussle with crocodiles has also been filmed. Ranthambore is famous for its tigers and some of the tigers like Macchli, Ustad, Sundari, Bina, Romeo, Laila, Dollar, Zalim, have become legendary and famous for the period of their rule.

Ranthambore National Park is famous not only for tigers it is host to a number of enchanting mammals. On a tiger safari, you can find leopards, sloth bears, deer, Nilgai, langur monkeys, rhesus macaque, wild boar, wild dogs, and more. There are more than two hundred and fifty avian species that make the park their home.

The park is situated near Sawai Madhopur township at a distance of 14 km. Sawai Madhopur is 175 km from Jaipur the capital city of the State of Rajasthan in India. Jaipur is well connected to New Delhi by, rail, road, and air.

A number of hotels are situated in Sawai Madhopur for accommodation.   Ranthambore National Park is famous not only for tigers but it is hosting a number of enchanting mammals. On a tiger safari, you can find leopards, sloth bears, deer, Nilgai, langur monkeys, rhesus macaque, wild boar, wild dogs, and more. There are more than two hundred and fifty avian species that make the park their home.

The park is situated near Sawai Madhopur township at a distance of 14 km. Sawai Madhopur is 175 km from Jaipur the capital city of the State of Rajasthan in India. Jaipur is well connected to New Delhi by, rail, road, and air.

A number of hotels are situated in Sawai Madhopur for accommodation. The hotels range from budget lodges to high-end hotels. For enjoying a tiger safari at Ranthambore a safari permit is a must. Along with the permit a zone is allotted in the tourism area. You have to keep to the zone.' Remember to book the permit in advance. The rides are conducted two times a day one in the morning and the other in the evening. The safari excursions are conducted on open jeeps and canters.          

Where can I see the tiger?

Lot of tourists come to India hoping to see the tiger - rare and endangered - charismatic and powerful. Many ask me where can I see the tiger best?

There are many qualities about the Bengal tiger which makes it extremely popular all over the World. Myths and legends galore and the superhuman prowess of the tiger's strength the list is endless and would go on and on. Certainly I have encountered very few tourists who wished to see a tiger because it was endangered - Believe me!

Another reason is the thrill that the animal exudes among humans at its sight. Unfortunately many myths and mysticism associated with the animals has been the reason for its persecution. The tiger's power and strength has made many people believe that any part you consume of the tiger will deliver potent effect....nothing can be far from truth. Hence Chinese system of medicine is committed to the same fallacy and the tiger suffers. For most of the tiger poaching is due to the demand for its bones and other body parts in Chinese medicines. (SIC!)

Well, coming back to the question the best places to see the tiger in India are definitely as follows:

Kanha National Park - Central India

Bandhavgarh National Park - Central India

Pench National Park - Central India

Ranthambhore National Park - Rajasthan

Corbett National Park - Uttaranchal

Panna National Park

Choose these places in order for a tiger safari tour to see the tiger. Kanha and Bandhavgarh are my favorite places. All the above are tiger reserves and receive good degree of protection under Project tiger hence the tiger population is growing here.

When planning for a tiger safari in India one must first find out all about where to see the tiger best in accordance with one's itinerary. Contact a good travel agent online and get maximum tour details possible.

It is best to plan our trip in advance and assure all the travel details before leaving for the trip. There are many luxury hotels in Kanha and other National Parks. Choose the one that fits your budget and delivers what you desire. Many luxury hotels at Bandhavgarh, Pench and Kanha arrange tiger safaris for your trip. Some even provide trained naturalist guide service withing the package.

A minimum three nights package tour is advised since in that period you have an optimum chance of tiger sighting in the parks. Though tiger tourism in India is expensive some what but it is worth going for a tiger safari on your visit to India. Safaris are the best ways to celebrate holidays and long vacations.

The best season is always except during the holiday period and festival times when the traffic in the parks could be unnerving and hinder wildlife sightings. These places are by all means good for birding trips especially in winters when the migrants arrive.

Tiger Cubs

This year has been good for Ranthambhore tiger reserve in Rajasthan and Pench tiger reserve (Seoni Hills)in Madhya Pradesh. Tigers are prolific breeders but the extent to which their population has been decimated in last hundred years that this fecundity is hardly noticeable.

The reckless poaching has resulted in extermination of population all over India and has even resulted into skewed sex ratio at places. Combined with stress of human interference and continued threat of live stock and prey base depletion tigers survived in reserves and bred well. There was a marked rise in population of tigers in some National Parks. But when places which are disturbed and suspected of being under attack by the poachers - as Ranthambhore - report fourteen tiger cubs being born in the park, it is indeed heartening news. This also shows that the sex ratio among male and female tigers there is in balance and mating is taking place regularly.

Similarly at Pench nine tiger cubs where born recently. Pench is an upcoming tiger reserve in terms of sighting and successful breeding of tigers has resulted in good tiger sighting in the wild in recent times.

Another benefit of larger number of tiger reserves reporting good tiger sighting is that the tourism pressure will spread even and let off some air from Kanha and Bandhavgarh. The lodges and resorts at Pench and Ranthambhore tiger reserve will also see greater number of visitors if this trend continues.