Jungle Safari is the major attraction and one of the most popular options to spot animal movement and admire beautiful landscape in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. Ranthambore National Park is one of the best places to explore different kinds of wildlife during safari.
Ranthambore National Park is divided into 10 safari zones. One can select their preferred zone 90 days before at the time of safari booking. After 90 days required safari zones are subject to availability. All safari zones are best and designed by forest department there are no bad zone in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. But, zones 1 to 6 are the popular zones for tiger sighting.
Safari booking at Ranthambhore National Park is controlled by the Department of Forest (Govt. of India). There are two types of vehicles permitted into Ranthambhore National Park- the 4 wheel drive jeeps (Open to roof Gypsys, which seat up to 6 visitors) and 20 seater Canters (open top roof buses).There are a limited number of vehicles allowed into the park, a maximum of 40 vehicles, 17 jeeps for tourist and 3 jeeps for VIP and 20 canters at any one time. All these vehicles are attached to the Forest department and owned and run by local people. Private vehicles are not permitted into the park. Visitors are strongly advised to book their safaris, particularly jeep safaris, well in advance.
There are two safaris in a day from October to June, one starting in the morning and the other late in the afternoon. The tour lasts for 3 ½ hour by jeep or canter (open top roof bus). Both canters and jeeps travel on same zones and offer the same opportunity for wildlife viewing. At the time of entry, each vehicle is allotted a zone and it not allowed straying from their allotted zone. Park entrance fees & vehicles are paid in advance on a first come first served basis against a non-refundable, 100% deposit basis only. Vehicle allocation takes place on the day of safari.
Types of Jungle Safari in Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park consists of two types of jungle safaris, one is jeep safari and the other is canter safari.
1. Jeep Safari
The Jeep is a 6 seater four wheel drive Maruti Suzuki Gypsy while the Canter is a safari bus with a seating capacity of 20 people. Both safari vehicles are open from the top. For wildlife photography enthusiasts, Jeep is the best option for a jungle safari. The open jeep safari provides a wonderful means of seeing the hidden treasures of the forest.
The Jeep, being a smaller safari vehicle than a canter, is capable of traversing narrow and winding paths. Jeep safari increases the chances of seeing tigers in Ranthambore so it is the pride of Ranthambore. Apart from this, only 6 people can sit in the jeep, low number means that you can request to stay in some places as per your choice.
2. Canter Safari
Another option for jungle safari in Ranthambore is Canter. However, this 20-seater canter is a feasible way to explore wildlife in Ranthambore National Park. The Canter Safari is best suited for group excursions. If Ranthambore is included in your travel list then you should book jungle safari well in advance to avoid inconvenience.
Tiger sightings are mostly depends on luck and matter of chance, but in summer the possibility of seeing leopards, tigers and other wildlife greatly increases near the three lakes located in zones 3 and 4 of Ranthambore. A three-and-a-half-hour safari at Ranthambore is a treat for those exploring the topography.
Jungle Safari Timings
The safari is open from 7 in the morning to 10:30 in the morning and 2 in the evening to 5:30 in the evening. The safari might start 30 minutes earlier and later than this time depending on the season. The safari starts half an hour after sunrise and ends half an hour before sunset. Visit the website of the park to learn about the safari timings during the month of your visit.
Best Time for Jungle Safari
The Bakaula region of Ranthambore National Park has numerous watering holes, which will be rich with wildlife if you are visiting during summer. Summer starts in April and ends in June. If you are looking for spotting sloth bears, you ought to take the evening safari. Chances of spotting a tiger is a little less and people take multiple safaris to increase their odds.
The best time to visit Ranthambore for safari is between October and June. If you are visiting during winter, the chances of spotting animals with their little ones are higher. Early morning is the best time to spot colorful birds.
To enjoy the eco-friendly tour of Rajasthan amidst the tales of the chivalrous Rajput kings which the journey unfolds, it is imperative for each visitor to undertake the safari tour of Rajasthan. This amazing state offers varied safari options for its ultimate exploration. Following the unconventional route by a camel, horse, or jeep safari will get you directly acquainted with the life, culture, people, and traditions of the colorful Rajasthan. The safaris of Rajasthan have an enticing charisma and zeal that leave the tourists asking for more. The safari tour is going to be like a caravan journey which the traders in the 8th century used to make. Rajasthan's topography is just perfect for different safaris like camel safari, horse safari, jeep safari, and elephant safari. Find out by reading further how and by what means you can enjoy the safari tours of the sun kissed Thar Desert.