After an overnight train journey from Mumbai, you reach Sawai Madhopur. A princely town in the state of Rajasthan, and a 45-minute drive from the famous wildlife reserve – ‘Ranthambore National Park‘. Park, also known as ‘TigerWoods’ is famous for being home to the beautiful Bengal Tigers.
Home to approximately 65-70 Bengal Tigers this 1734 Sq. Km Forest area includes in its ecosystem other wildlife including Leopards, Deer, Wild Buffaloes, Crocodiles, and various species of avians among others.
Incidentally, only 20% of its entire area is open for gaming and even this is divided into 10 different zones. Tourists are barred from going beyond these demarcated areas/zones.
As a tourist, you are served with three different safari options that can be booked online at: http://www.ranthamborenationalpark.in/online-safari-booking-ranthambore.html
1) Normal Safari: This takes place Two times each day wherein tourists are taken inside on a 6 seated open-top Gypsy. The first game is from 6 am to 9.30 am in the morning and the next is between 3 pm to 6.30 pm in the evening. (Another cheaper option is to venture in on a 20 seater open top Canter)
2) Half Day Safari: This takes place between 6 am to 12 Noon or from 12 Noon to 6.30 PM.
3) Full-day Safari: Opting for this, you can remain in the Jungle from 6 am in the morning to 6.30 pm in the evening.
During any Normal Safari, you are restricted to travel within a single zone. This allotment is generated randomly by the Park’s computer. So arguably, it inhibits your movement beyond a particular Zone.
Whereas in the other two cases, you have no zone restriction, thus can freely travel between different zones. This undoubtedly increases your chances for better wildlife sightings. However, only a limited amount of vehicles is issued permission to undertake Half Day or Full day Safari.
So, from Sawai Madhopur Station you reach your pre-booked ‘White Mushroom – Resort” in a taxi. This impressive tented A/c accommodation is situated in Chharoda Village, fortunately, close to the forest entrance. After check-in, you soon settle yourself in one of the 14 tents that exist on this property.
Safari begins
On the first day. you begin with the half day Safari. It’s 12 noon and Firoz and Sunil are ready to take you for a 6 hour sojourn into the fabled forest. Firoz incidentally is driving a 4WD Gypsy and Sunil is the Guide.
After crossing the main gate, armed with your camera and other necessary gear you reach Jogi Mahal, Gate 3. This is also the entrance to get into Zone No. 3. Sunil gets down here to collect the master key necessary to lock-unlock gates while traveling between Zones.
Opposite Jogi Mahal Gate, right on the hilltop, is an imposing 10th century Ranthambore Fort. Visitors come here to pay their obeisance at the Ganesh Temple, Shiva Temple, Digamber Jain Temple of Lord Sumatinath (5th Jain Tirthankar) as well as the Hanuman Temple built within its precincts.
Once inside the reserve, you pass through the muddy trails amidst deciduous forest of Zone 1. (The most sought after area however is zone 3 and zone 6, reputed for better Tiger sighting.)
So as you meander through the trails looking for your first glimpse of the big cat, you see a safari gypsy stationed at a distance and its occupants watching in a particular direction.
No sooner you get close to them, they point to get your attention towards the wall of the dam. Ah!! there you are! The first sight of a Big Cat is for you. Sunil, exclaims excitedly – “He is Kumbha, male Tiger numbered T34 by the forest officials”.
Excited !! you pull out your Nikon D850 with 200-500 mm lens and begin to take pictures of this beautiful stripped Cat.
Kumbha somehow gets conscious and begins to walk towards another area that incidentally fell under Zone 6. (Males Tigers are supposedly shy compared to their female counterpart). Luckily Sunil has the keys and he opens the gate between Zone1 and Zone6 with alacrity.
You now move parallel along with Kumbha. He then walks towards a cave, gives you a glance before settling down presumably for an afternoon siesta.
Sensing Kumbha’s reluctance and his likelihood to rest for a while, you now move to Zone 1.
As Feroz drives deeper inside the forest you come across a tiny pool of water. Close to the pond is a beautiful striped feline lying lazily under the shade of a tree. You are undoubtedly thrilled.
She is “Noor” (T39), suppose to be the glowing beauty of Ranthambore. With bead like stripes on her side flanks, she looks naturally garlanded thus earning moniker – “Mala” for herself. The sparkling wavy patterns on her long slim body are unmistakable too.
Promptly, you position yourself at a vantage point and start clicking her pictures. Sunil, meanwhile, is of the opinion that she may get-up soon and walk towards the pond to quench her thirst. Capturing a Tiger drinking water is any photographer’s delight.
As you wait, your eyes never lose sight of Noor’s slightest movement. Meanwhile, myriad birds with attractive plumage keep coming to the pond to douse their thirst. After a few sips and they get airborne. So without losing an opportunity, you point the lens towards them, focus, and capture their pictures.
Over there it has now been over 2 hours that you have been waiting. Meanwhile, more Gypsies have gathered around. Noor, however, continues to enjoy the slumber under the shade of this leafy tree. Her occasional ‘Yawn and Stretch’ nevertheless provides you with some fascinating images.
It is amusing to watch that even a deer close by fails to engender the animal spirit within her. Plausibly she’s satiated, Noor nevertheless raises her head, looks at the deer, watches him for some time, maybe even appreciates his audacity, and then goes back to sleep, probably expecting him to offer himself on some other day.
By now, It’s is 6 pm. Sleepy Noor doesn’t seem to be in mood to walk-up to the pond. So your desire to click her while drinking water shall remain unfulfilled.
Dejected, Gypsies, one after the other begin to leave. It’s time for you to return too. Slowly you too leave but not before giving her a long admiring look for the last time.
Finally you have two Big Cats sighted in a single day. Not a bad score by any count.
You leave pleased as Firoz drives you back to your resort. Before saying good bye for the day, you plan to meet once again at 5.30 early next morning.
Once inside your tent, you pour-in a large Vodka for yourself even as the day’s pictures get backed-up into the hard drive. Post dinner you hide between two pillows with an satisfactory smile and with anticipation of having even more eventful day tomorrow.
Anonymous
You had a great time
Anonymous
5
Jagjeet Saluja
Nice write-up with detailed information about the whole day. One who is interested in wild life sanctuary will Love it 😊
Rajesh AJMERA
Excellent description of the day
Anonymous
1
Anonymous
0.5
Anonymous
Beautifully clicked pictures of Kumba and Noor and beautiful birds keep going
Anonymous
4.5
Suresh
Beautiful summary of the events of the day with stunning pictures
Anonymous
If only noor was on a bed of green grass she would have been a sleeping beauty . Its a visual treat otherwise to see such pics of the bengal tigers.
Anonymous
Beautifully clicked pictures and excellent write up. Ur write up can inspire people to go and visit such beautiful places which are in our very own country.
Dr MD Khubchandani
Excellent description of the day with awesome pics….
Raghuveer
Excellent you have a wonderful hand and you know how to get the moment never seen 3 tiger and their sleeping you are in a wrong profession but never late wonderful