The Ranthambore travel guide will indeed be beneficial for those of you considering a trip to the magnificent Ranthambore National Park. When we initially decided to go, I did extensive research on the internet to find out how and when to book a safari, where and when to stay, what to do, and so on. We journeyed to Ranthambore with my pals equipped with little to no knowledge about the place.
What is Ranthambore?
Ranthambore National Park is located in one of the towns of Rajasthan, Sawai Madhopur. This is recognized for its dense population, which increases the probability of seeing the big cat and everyone’s beloved, the ‘Royal Bengal Tiger’. Apart from these, Ranthambore National Park is home to many other birds, animals, and reptile species.
As I previously stated, while surfing I did not get the important details about the location, Ranthambore. As a result, my main objective to create a blog on Ranthambore is to create an informative blog with precise data and in-depth facts on visiting this national park.
Before we jump on the specifics and here are some points to note about touring specific location:
Location – Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan
Cheapest Mode of External Transport – Trains
Cheapest Mode of Internal Transport – Pool in Jeeps (Rs.30/head) from the railway station.
Nearest Airport – Jaipur
Nearest Railway Station – Sawai Madhopur Junction
Best Time to Visit – November- April
Costing – Safari costs between Rs.500 and Rs.1000 per person for Indian nationals and foreign nationals between Rs.1000 and Rs.2000 per person.
Essentials:
- When you’re travelling during winters, carry a muffler and a jacket. It’s very cold in the early mornings and late evenings!
- If you are interested in birds, you will need binoculars to sight them.
- Wear a hat to shield your face from the sun.
- Identification Card for Photographic Equipment
What is the best-priced way to get through Ranthambore National Park?
Ranthambore National Park is situated in Rajasthan near Sawai Madhopur. The closest airport to the park is Jaipur, whereas the closest railway junction is Sawai Madhopur Junction.
The railway is the least expensive way to go to Ranthambore National Park. Trains to Sawai Madhopur run daily via Jaipur and Delhi. It’s a 5 to 6-hour rail travel via Delhi, but only 2 to 2.5 hours from Jaipur.
Visitors can also hire cabs from Delhi or Jaipur to even get to Sawai Madhopur. A cab via Jaipur can cost you approx Rs.2,200. Once at Sawai Madhopur City, there are numerous taxis and cars to take you to your accommodation.
Is it feasible to spend the night at Ranthambore National Park?
There seems to be no way to remain within the national park. However, in Sawai Madhopur, there are several cheap and luxury accommodation options. You may book these accommodations beforehand through sites like Agoda or Booking.com, or you can reserve them when you arrive. I usually book in advance and have used Agoda for quite some time.
Expect higher costs and packed safaris if you’re on a weekend. If you travel with companions, the fees are immediately reduced because of the division.
Tip: Before considering a guesthouse for your vacation, properly examine Google reviews.
Timeframes for Ranthambore National Park Safaris
The Safari Trips, which run around 3 hours, are offered at various periods throughout the year. The following are the times:
Safari dates for: –
1st Oct to 31st Oct
Morning Trip: 7.00 A.M. to 10.30 A.M.
Evening Trip: 2.30 P.M. to 6.00 P.M.
1st Nov to 31st Jan
Morning Trip: 7.00 A.M. to 10.30 A.M.
Evening Trip: 2.00 P.M. to 5.30 P.M.
1st Feb to 31st March
Morning Trip: 6.30 A.M. to 10.00 A.M.
Evening Trip: 2.30 P.M. to 6.00 P.M.
1st April to 15th May
Morning Trip: 6.00 A.M. to 9.30 A.M.
Evening Trip: 3.00 P.M. to 6.30 P.M.
15th May to 30th June
Morning Trip: 6.00 A.M. to 9.30 A.M.
Evening Trip: 3.30 P.M. to 7.00 P.M.
Everything You Need to Know About Ranthambore National Park Safari
For the safari, there are two vehicle alternatives. The first is a jeep with a capacity of six people, while the other is a 20-seat open-air Gallop. At Ranthambore National Park, you may also opt between morning and evening safaris and half-day and full-day (private) safaris.
Safaris in the morning and evening
The morning and evening safaris last around 3 hours overall. You pay per seat, and the driver and guide will take you through the designated zone within that time. The costs are as follows:
- 20-seat open-air canter
Price per person (Indian Nationals): Rs.500-Rs.600 per person
Cost per person (foreign nationals): Rs.1000-Rs.1200 per person
- 6-seat open-air gypsy
Price per person (Indian Nationals): Rs.800-Rs.900 per person
Cost per person (foreign nationals): Rs.1800-Rs.2000
Tip: If you only have time for one safari, go for the early one. It’s a terrific time for animal sightings, and the photos in the dawn light are simply stunning!
How did we locate a tiger in Ranthambhore National Park?
The Ranthambore National Park is a great place from October to June each year. The possibilities of seeing the star at Ranthambore are pretty good, but it all relies on individual fortune. It is not uncommon for individuals to spend large sums of money on private entire and 1/2 day safaris only to see a single big cat.
It takes around half an hour to arrive at the safari’s gate. It will all be ecstatic! Drive your way slowly down the Zone 4 track, and be assured that the driver does all possible to provide the finest safari experience including a tiger sighting.
As soon as we stepped inside, we noticed a huge Sambar deer drinking from a local creek. The gallop came to a halt for a moment so we could have a look, but the guide suggested moving further and giving maximum time to seek a tiger. We came across some Chital deer feeding a bit very far on. As we proceeded on, we noticed another herd of deer feeding. By this point, the sun had begun to warm up a little.
We had just gone a short distance when we saw a gallop had ground to a standstill and people were gazing at something. “There it is!” said the tour leader. All were ecstatic! A tiger had been sighted by the instructor.
Finally, there it was, a shadow gliding in the thick grass beyond the bushes on the horizon. It was heading straight for us. As it got closer, the expert identified it as T 84 aka Arrowhead, a three-and-a-half-year-old female tiger. She was first seen in March of 2014. Because of an arrow mark on her left cheek, she is known as Arrowhead. She looked incredible in the early morning light. Her orange coat glistened when the early sunshine shone on it, and it was stunning.
We were satisfied and very happy.
Well, we are also able to see a number of these birds around the lake, including the Crescent Serpent Eagle, Bulbul, Sandpiper, Darte, Heron, Egret, Shrike, Common Iora, Pipit, Common Snipe, Rufous Treepie.
Enjoy Sawai Madhopur’s Local Sightseeing
Sawai Madhopur is a tiny village that may be explored in a single day. Some must-see locations are as follows:
Ranthambore Fort Complex: From Sawai Madhopur train station, take a pool in can service that will drop you off at the Ranthambore Fort entrance. All of the key locations you discover on Google (including Ganesh Temple) are within the grounds.
The Ganesh Temple
Jogi Mahal and Padam Talao
Jogi Mahal and Padam Talao
Jain Temple
Rani Haveli
See ex-poachers making a living in Dhonk, near Ranthambore.
It is a social handicraft program aimed at rehabilitating the families of ex-poachers and country dwellers. They are schooled in handicrafts, and their work is sold.
Where should you dine in the vicinity of Ranthambore National Park?
Sawai Madhopur is a tiny town with few luxury and excellent eating establishments. Vivanta by Taj, The Oberoi Vanyavilas, and The Dining Room are the fine dining alternatives available here. There are very few alternatives for non-vegetarian meals in Sawai Madhopur.
Now we go to the cheap meals. Here are the top suggestions.
Restaurant and Cost for Two
- Asha’s Restaurant: Rs.300-Rs.500
Must-Try:
- Sweet lassi
- Bajre ki roti
- Lehsun ki chutney
- Paranthas
2. Ram Shyam & Kanha Hotel: Rs.200-Rs.400
Must-Try:
- Rajasthani food including Daal Baati Churma
3. Hotel Riddhi Siddhi: Rs.300-Rs.500
- Vegetarian food
The trip to Ranthambore National Park was fantastic. We were fortunate to see all we had planned for and more. Seeing the animals in their native environment was a really rewarding experience. One could tell how enjoyable the entire trip was by the fact that I returned with over 1000 photographs!! Highly recommended for wildlife enthusiasts, bird watchers, and photographers.
However, I have endeavoured to include all relevant facts in this Ranthambore long ride.
