Ranthambhore National Park - Best time for safari ride

People from across the world travel to India for one reason alone - to go on safari. It's not just the tigers that has them curious, it's leopards, elephants and bears amongst the other flaura and fauna that India has to offer.

Ranthambhore is in our backyard and yet, so many Ind either haven't had the inclination or the curiosity to check it out. Choosing foreign locales like Switzerland or Gstaad instead of the Indian jungle, seems more exotic right? Think again.

If Instagram stories or photos drive you to make your holiday choices, then there's nothing like posting pictures of tigers in the wild.

If your excuse is you're not about to rough it out, here's the deal, we aren't asking you to. Check in at The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort at the Ranthambhore National Park for the best of both worlds. The wildlife sanctuary is currently home to approximately 80 tigers and is also home to Ranthambhore Fort: a vast UNESCO World Heritage Site that overlooks the park and dates back 1,000 years.

Between the Aravali and the Vindhya mountain ranges in Southeastern Rajasthan lies the The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort which is the ultimate luxury destination for adventurers. Set in 20 acres of landscaped gardens, lakes and fountains, the resort borders on the Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve - home of the magnificent Indian tiger, deer, leopard, and crocodile. It's just 180 kilometres from Jaipur and in 1957 and in 1974 it gained the protection of the Government of India's Project Tiger, a tiger conservation programme.

 

The resort offers luxury tented accommodation inspired by the opulent caravans of the royal families. The fine dining all-day restaurant has a daily changing menu of authentic Rajasthani specialities, pan-Indian and continental dishes. After a hard day's work, unwind at the Bar to enjoy a single malt, a cognac, a glass of fine wine or an expertly mixed cocktail accompanied by one of our leather bound classics.

Some of the experiences on offer are:

Jungle Drive: Led by experienced, professional, local naturalists and take place in an Oberoi 4x4 fitted with high quality suspension and cushioned seats. Detachable roof tops guarantee the best views of the tigers in their natural park habitat.

Dine By The Lake: A private dining experience at a candlelit table with mashaal fire torches and twinkling stars reflected in the lily pond, is the perfect amphitheatre.

Dinner at the Mango Orchard: An intimate private dining experience framed by lush mango trees hung with glowing lanterns. Savour specially curated delicacies or a la carte cuisine. Coupled with attentive, unobtrusive service for a distinct experience.

A Perfect Day in the Jungle: A private jungle safari that begins with an early morning ride in an Oberoi 4x4 for some tiger spotting. Return to the hotel for a handcrafted al fresco breakfast beside our mango orchard and lily pond. You can spend the rest of your day having personalised treatments in our spa. As the day comes to a close, we invite you to ascend our observation tower for sunset views and champagne. A private dinner served at our romantic amphitheatre completes the experience.

Chambal River Safari: Since Ranthambhore is synonymous with tigers, it is easy to forget that the nearby Chambal River is home to India's largest population of the critically-endangered Gharial. The Chambal River Safari is a unique opportunity to sight this fascinating crocodilian in its natural habitat. Characterised by its long thin jaws, which have naturally evolved over time to suit its predominantly fish diet, the Gharial is one of the largest living crocodil, with males growing up to six metres long.

Dine Under the Stars: The ambient light of candles and twinkling stars in the sky overlooking the wild from our observation tower is the perfect setting for a romantic dinner. Let us serve you with the perfect meal for your special occasion, at a private table for two.

 

( With inputs from IANS )