Need information on India...

...if anyone could supply information on visiting Ranthambure National Park, such as how the tours work, best places to book etc. We are flying over on 11th March and I definately want to visit te park, long time dream...but info on the web seems sketchy. I know it is a limited timing, am and pm unlike in African parks, but I wonder how limited you are in terms of leaving the jeep or bus? I am presuming it is similar to the tours in Denali where you can leave the bus only at visitor stops etc..???

Any onfo would be greatly appreciated.

PS - we are independant travellers, train and bus but are not against from booking a package from Jaipur or Agra for a few days.

Hi
I'll briefly give you an idea on what to expect :
1. Its a relatively small park (most in India are small) - around 450 sq. kms. Very beautiful, with scattered ruins and an old fortress. And a great place to see tigers.
2. All accomodation is only outside the park boundary
3. There are 2 rides permitted per day - of approx. 3 hours each
4. A limited no. park approved 'gypsies' - 6 seater open jeeps, and 'canters' - 20 seater open minibuses are allowed. No private vehicles are permitted inside. Normally the gypsies are overbooked and may be a bit difficult to get - but some tour operators do advance booking and may charge more for this. Next option is the canter, but you're with 20 people and not the best for photography. These policies screw up the otherwise beautiful destination that Ranthambhore is!
5. I suggest you stay for atleast 3 days (around 5-6 rounds in the park) to get a better chance of spotting the tiger - though there's lots of other wildlife too.
6. The best way to get there is by train to Sawai Madhopur - around 15 kms from the park. This place is on the Delhi-Mumbai mainline and lots of connections are available. You can fly to Jaipur which is around 2-3 hrs road drive.
7. People are not permitted to get off the vehicles inside the park - except at a few designated places where you can pee in the wild!

Enjoy! If you need any more info, feel free to message me.
Cheers
Ritul

So it is as I feared, very limited. We plan to stay 3 days at least, I have contacted some hotels in Sawai-Madhopur already, seems possitive. Many thanks for the info!

Hi,

Just found out that you can book your seats for safaris online here : http://www.rajasthanto​urism.gov.in …bor/seat-availability.jsp

Cheers and all the best!