Tiger! Yelled the guide. We froze. There was an undercurrent of excitement in his voice even though the only thing that we could see from the enclosed jeep was a brown barren rock amidst the knee high grass. The guide handed us the binoculars and we scanned the range ahead of us. There, lo and behold, was a small black spot which was certainly not a rock because it was moving. There it was just as we had seen in magazine and films making its way slowly towards the lake in Ranthambore National Park. It seemed to be in no hurry giving us ample opportunity to scan it, almost flaunting its beauty. Our jeep followed it through every bent and corner and again and again it disappeared. Just as we would imagine it had actually vanished it would reappear again to lift our spirits. Jeep Safaris in Ranthambore National Park was an experience that I would remember hereafter for the rest of my life. We moved on from one zone to the other that the forest has been demarcated into. Each zone offered a new excitement- a new adventure. For instance one zone was a virtual forest looking ghostly pale in the sunlight. A jungle cat fleeted by in front of our jeep. Our vehicle came to a standstill. The driver informed us that it is ominous to pass immediately unless other jeep passes through the same track. We used that time to look through the different flora and fauna of the region. Spotted deer and Chinkaras darted in and out all the time. We were told by the optimistic guide that we could also spot a leopard if luck is on our side.
If you are going on a Jeep Safaris in Ranthambore National Park make sure you make prior bookings from your hotel. The forest authority allows a maximum of forty vehicles in the park. Vehicles that do not have valid licence are not allowed inside the park. Moreover a special permit is needed to enter the park. Foreigners have to register with their passport number to enter the park. It is advisable to maintain silence while you are on Jeep Safaris in Ranthambore National Park. Human association of any kind generally frightens away animals. Do not be tempted in any way to touch the animals. You may be fined for that by the forest officials. The jeep should be parked only at proper parking places in the national park and not haphazardly. Your Jeep Safaris in Ranthambore National Park will bring back fond and contrasting memories. You will recall the majesty of the tigers in total parenthesis with the innocent look of fear in the eyes of the Chingara. We can only hope that our wisdom will allow nature its space and preservation.