India – Ranthambore National Park

October 27, 2024

The day started off with a bang as fireworks to celebrate the upcoming Diwali holiday started going off at 12:45am. What a fun way to start what I hope is going to be an epic day…it’s Bengaltiger day for me!!!

Early in the morning we headed out for our five-hour drive through rural countryside and along bumpy roads to reach Ranthambore.

Along the way we stopped at a small town and walked round the local market interacting with the local merchants. It was a really enjoyable experience as it was not crowded and the locals were as interested in us as we were of them even the cows welcomed us!!!

In the early afternoon we arrived at our hotel in the jungle. Water Buffalo greeted us as we approached the hotel.

Soon after lunch we boarded the canters and headed to the park in search of Bengal Tigers.

Ranthambore National Park is known for its Bengal tiger population. Located near the town of Sawai Madhopur, the park is one of the eleven sites chosen for Project Tiger, India’s national tiger conservation program, and the largest such effort in the world. The park is comprised of more than a hundred square miles of deciduous forest and several large lakes, and until 1970, it was a hunting preserve of the maharajas.

A recent census showed 85 tigers, including 15 cubs in the reserve, an increase of approximately 34 tigers in the last couple of years and a clear indication conservation effort are having a positive effect.

We did not have to wait long for our first encounter with the tigers. Shortly after entering the park we found a tiger sleeping under the shade of a pergola. All we could see were the beautify stripes but we saw a tiger.

Just up the dirt road we saw one in the deep forest but he was shy and didn’t want to come out.

As we move deeper into the jungle we had a tiger come out and walk directly behind our canter without a care in the world.

Tigers are solitary creatures and live on their own after about 2 years with their mom. They each have their own territory and do not stray out of it.

We continued tracking the tigers and saw a few deer along the way but no additional tigers.

As the sun started to set we headed back out of the park then we were blessed with seeing two tiger cubs playing in the water. They were so joyful as they played in the water and even tussled with each other.

Every moment that I experience animals in the wild brings me joy and today was absolutely one of the best! Overall we ended up seeing 7 tigers which is very unusual. I am feeling very blessed.

Absolutely a “Best Day Ever…So far”!!