Ranthambore National Park enjoys an almost unparalleled status among wildlife enthusiasts, who flock to the area for tiger sightings
If there’s one national park in India famous for its tiger sightings, it is Ranthambore in Rajasthan. The national park is unique for tiger sightings at any time of the day, while other national parks in the country usually rely on the dawn or dusk time periods.
It’s also been the stuff of wildlife legends, what with photographers flocking to the national park for the best shots of tigers and tigresses.
The World’s Most Famous Tigress
The stories of Machli, Ranthambore’s famous Royal Bengal tigress, is of course, legendary. The tigress was identified, and owed her name to, a fish-shaped mark on her forehead. Machli was India’s longest-living tigress and one of the world’s most famous ones. After her mother’s death in 2000, Machli became the dominant tigress in Ranthambore. Machli mothered several litters of cubs, and was soon synonymous with India’s tiger conservation movement.
Almost a decade since her death, locals still sing paeans to Machli’s courage. One of those stories is that of her fight with a crocodile who tried to drag her into the water by the leg in the lakes of the national park. Machli extricated herself from the jaws of the crocodile, and killed the mugger despite suffering several injuries herself. That was 2009.
The Legacy Of Machli
Seven years later, in 2016, Machli’s death at the age of 19 left wildlife enthusiasts all over the world heartbroken. Ranthambore, since then, has missed its resident huntress but also become known for Machli’s cubs, some of whom inherited that fish-shaped mark on their foreheads.
Today, Machli’s legacy is visible all over Ranthambore. The tiger reserve is known for its density of tigers and ease of sightings.
The Many Luxury Resorts In Ranthambore
Once the hunting grounds of the Jaipur royals, Ranthambore since has become a favourite with luxury resorts. The biggest hospitality brands are here: from Taj and Oberoi, to Aman and Sujan.
There’s also Six Senses Fort Barwara, at a stone’s throw from Ranthambore National Park, which is a hit with luxury travellers .Aman-i-KhasAman-i-Khas
When To Go
From October to March, Ranthambore is teeming with tourists on the lookout for the Royal Bengal Tiger. The summer months of April and May also attract visitors, but the high temperatures of Rajasthan might make it difficult to venture out during the day. From July to September, the national park is closed for monsoon.
As a result, the winter months see the maximum footfall at the Ranthambore resorts. Here’s a look at the best luxury resorts in Ranthambore.
Where To Stay In Ranthambore
Six Senses Fort Barwara
Aman-i-Khas
Taj Sawai Ranthambore
Sujan Sher Bagh
The Oberoi Vanyavilas
Leave a Reply