Sunsets & Safari: The Magic of Ranthambore’s Wilderness

byadmin
-March 30, 2025

When we sat down to plan our winter travel, out of nowhere, Ranthambore came to my mind. At first, I dismissed it without any particular reason, but soon, I started seeing tigers everywhere—on wallpapers, clothes, phone cases, and even on Nat Geo Wild. Was it a sign? Maybe. At least, I took it to be one.

That’s when I suggested to my family, “Why not Ranthambore?” My dad was surprised—how did I come up with it? After all, it wasn’t a very popular choice among youngsters. But to my delight, everyone agreed, and we began to plan.

After weeks of preparation and travelling from Chennai to Jaipur and then a tiring road trip to Ranthambore while munching onto lots of yummy seasonal guvavas, we were welcomed by its raw, untouched beauty. It felt like there was so much left to discover. On our first day, we decided to explore the property, spend quality time playing games, and simply relax. But the real adventure was set for the next morning—our safari ride.

At the pickup point, while we waited for our safari ride each of us embraced the early morning in our own way. My dad enjoyed a bonfire with our driver and a few strangers, my mom sipped on hot tea, while my brother and I chose to nap. When our safari bus finally arrived after picking people from their pick up points, we found out we had been assigned Zone 10—not the best zone for spotting the king of the forest.

As expected, we didn’t get to see a tiger. But the jungle had other wonders to offer. I spotted fresh tiger footprints, a reminder that the majestic creature had passed through. We also saw deer, a bear, peacocks, crocodiles, and so much more. It was all truly breathtaking.

What struck me the most was how the jungle belonged to them, and we were merely visitors—caged inside our vehicle, while they roamed freely in their home. It was a pause from city life, a break from all the fancies of the modern world. And in that moment, it felt truly special.

My favorite part of the safari was how passionately the guides spoke about the tiger and Ranthambore. It felt like it wasn’t just a job for them, but something deeply personal—words and emotions flowing straight from the heart.

And as the safari slowly came to an end after a 45-minute search for just one glimpse of the tiger, I realized that along this journey, I had left a piece of my heart—and my hope—in the forest. The hope to return one day, to finally see the mighty tiger in its natural home, and to relive the excitement my younger self once felt upon seeing a tiger for the first time in a zoo.

After the safari, we also set out to explore the much-spoken-about Ganesh Temple, located within a historic fort. Getting to the temple was an adventure in itself—a challenging trek that tested our endurance. We walked for almost an hour, passing through various historical sites inside the fort, each one telling a story of its own.

Left a piece of my heart in the Jungle

Finally, when we reached the temple, the energy of the Divine was truly powerful and uplifting. The atmosphere was filled with positivity, making every step of the journey feel worthwhile. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable trip.

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