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The Ranthambore National Park:
Wildlife Safaris
The best time to visit the park is between October and April, and the park is closed during the monsoon from 1 July to 1 October. Early morning and late afternoon are generally the best times for spotting wildlife.
There are four trails within the park, and on each safari two or three jeeps take each trail. There are also large trucks (open topped), called canters, which seat 20 people, but
they're limited to only two of the trails. If you've ever been on Safari in Africa, you might think this is an unduly risky venture, but the tigers appear unconcerned by jeep loads of garrulous tourists touting cameras only metres away from where they're lying. No one has been mauled or devoured - yet!
If you are taking photos, it's worthwhile bringing some 400ASA or 800ASA film, as the undergrowth is dense and surprisingly dark in places.
There's a Rs 20/100 park entry fee for Indians/foreigners, plus Rs 200 for a video camera. You'll also have to pay the entry fee of Rs 125 per jeep (the entry fee
for canters is included in the ticket price). A seat in a canter costs Rs
80, and you can arrange to be picked up if your hotel is on the road between the town and the park.
Jeeps cost Rs 600 per trip, and this can be shared by up to five people.
A guide is compulsory and is included in the ticket price for a canter, but will cost an extra Rs 100 if you go by Jeep.
In winter (October to February), both canters and jeeps leave at 7am and 2.30 pm: the safari takes three hours. In summer ( March to June), they leave at 6.30 am and 3.30 pm. Jeeps and canters must be booked at the Project Tiger office. Bookings for morning trips can be made between 4 and 5 pm on the day before, and between 11am and noon for the afternoon safari. Jeeps fill up fast, but can be booked up to one month in advance.
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