4.30 AM
Our Previous 6 Park visits (including 1 in this Trip) had failed to provide us with any Tiger Sightings, not to mention each time we enter the park was with a stronger desire to see the stripped, feline, beast.Our previous visits in October I feel was not the right time as the climate was cold and it also rained a lot. This makes it very hard to spot the Great Bengal Tiger in thick Bushes,Dense forest & FOG. But Even in this Trip we were disappointed as we had already finished a SAFARI without sightings.
Even then I woke up and was ready to leave from our Hotel for the Forest Office to pay the Balance & confirm our reserved tickets for Canter. Me and Sanjay left with our Usual Return Auto rickshaw Driver to the office.Whispers of the waiting people mix with the barking of stray street dogs roaming nearby.We finished our Formalities returned to the Hotel. We had got Zone 2 this morning and were not as excited because Zone 3 and 4 are considered the Best because of the picturesque lakes and Ruins.
Vehicles enter into the park at fixed times during the morning and evening , they have to follow a fixed route and there are 5 routes , the vehicles have to leave the park by the end of the appointed time. Traffic into the park is highly regulated , at a given time not more than 5 jeeps can travel on a particular route and more than 16 vehicles are not allowed into the zone at the same time.
6.00 AM
Though half asleep Purvi & Hriday were ready with their Hats on, Backpacks on Shoulders with Camera,Binoculars,Water, Biscuits & Snacks to embark on One more fascinating, Enchanting, Thrilling Jungle Safari. Though we all felt that this again should not turn out to be tiring, maybe redundent & eventually Boring Safari without a sighting. To be safe we carried lots of Water as it was Hot the previous evening even though it was cool this morning.
We all reached the Forest office at 6.20 AM as suggested by someone at the office for the morning Canter Safari Pickup. The Forest office is the Starting Place from where all Canter Drivers & Guide depart to collect their respective guests from various hotels dotted on the road towards the Main Ranthambore Park Gate which is 8 km away. But We were shocked to hear that Our Canter had already left as the Park Entry time is 6.00 AM. Our Canter had left half an hour ago.
We were deeply saddened. But the other local drivers and Guides came to our rescue. They started making frantic calls to the Driver & Guide of our Canter to trace his whereabouts. These 5 minutes only thing we were praying was that the Canter should have not entered the Main Gate as it would be impossible to join in then. Someone got connected to the Guide asked him to Stay Put on the main gate. One Driver agreed to drop us on the main gate, and off in a flash, he drove us in his Gypsy to the main gate in 15 minutes for a small TIP.
We thanked him in a hurry and hopped in Our Canter already full with some grunting and mumbling Wild Life Enthusiaists and Tourists still waiting at the gate for no fault of theirs.
7.00 AM
We adjusted ourselves in the remaining empty seats. A bit relaxed after our race against time to the Start Line. 
Hriday was still half asleep, Sanjay occupied the seat next to the Driver & I seated next to an older man who had just been to Bandhavgarh a Day before.
Hriday was still half asleep, Sanjay occupied the seat next to the Driver & I seated next to an older man who had just been to Bandhavgarh a Day before.
But we had already lost interest in these after so many Safaris. We were still waiting for the big cats.
Within fifteen minutes my neighbour started to brag about his encounter with the Tiger in Bandhavgarh & showed my his snaps on camera. I was getting Jealous but that also made my desire and craving for its glimpse more stronger. Suddenly our Guide Spotted a Tiger sitting on a huge Rock some 50-60 meters away. Immediately everyone started to take photographs, though far it was still visible. I hoped to get a better view. I just got a glimpse which i knew would not satisfy me & also i could not snap as we were still moving.
We heard some noises of People just ahead the bend of our Road. Immediatly on instructions from the Guide the driver drove ahead where 1 more Canter and 2 Gypsies were following a Tiger on the road. Yes the full grown male Tiger in its all beauty was walking in the middle of the road.
The Noisy engine was shut off. The excitement was uncontrollable and initially i could not take Proper snaps and was fumbling with the camera. I could see a broad smile on the awe struck face of Hriday. We all were happy and just couldnt belive our luck & the situation.There were 2 canters and 3 jeeps surrounding the tiger, so many people but there was pin drop silence. Every body was busy recording, clicking away or simply gaping.
The height of the canter enabled us to see over the two jeeps in front of us. Some jeeps only had two or four people but this apparently had been due prior arrangements with particular travel companies. Sanjay had some clear shots from the First Seat, & i managed to grab a cool video after climing the safety railing on the canter, though afterwards felt foolish on my actions in the dangerous situation.
Our Driver overtook 2 geeps and Both Purvi and Hriday were busy following every action of Tiger as we drove near him. I was actually surprised that the noisy canters don't aggravate the Tigers. The tiger took a Right turn in the woods and I thought it will disapapear.
We have had our day. We were now waiting for him to come out from the water.
8.30 AM
In the meantime some other Gypsies and canter had found the previous Tigress sitting on the rock, which was coming this way and we could hear their voices. The female tiger was the mating partner of the relaxing male. The female Tigress was T39 & the male tiger was T24. We hoped that the tigress to will join the male in the water hole, but she moved away on the other side. We could see her going deeper in the forest. The Gypsies then came near us and also informed about a Leopard sitting on a tree. We have had enough of clicking and shooting about the Tigers activities & wanted to grab a visual of the LEOPARD. Leopard sightings are rare as they shy away from humans. Whereas Tigers flaunt their Natural Lifestyle which we have already witnessed.
After some more time the Guide decided to move on as the Tiger was not willing to come out of the pool. We bid farewell to the LORD with a sense of satisfation and relief after our first wondefull sighting after trying for 6 attempts . We started to return to the entry gate on the road where there was a Leopard Sighting. We could not find it but still saw a lot of wild life including A Giant Lizard, a Mongoose & an eagle & an Owl.
On the way out people from other zones who were unsuccessfull of a sighting were definately feeling Unlucky if not Jealous. But our happy faces must have made their desire for the BIG CAT in action stronger.
9.45 AM
Once out of the Park we realised we were hungry and started munching on the snacks on our way back to the forest office. The Guests one by one got down at their hotels & they did tip handsomely to the guide. We too tipped & thanked the guide for a wonderfull experience when he droped us at the Forest Office.
We walked back to our hotel from a shortcut still enjoying the experience. Hriday was atounded by the sighting and was ready for another one. We had to get ready for another safari in the next 3 hours.
Hi..i completely enjoyed reading your blog and got to know so much about Ranthambore. Also, there are plenty of hotels in Ranthambore and one can choose to stay at any hotel according to one's budget.
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