While the summer months of May and June in Rajasthan are natural deterrents to a pleasure trip due to very high temperature, scorching heat and dusty-stormy weather, there is also a sufficient reason to brave the weather and schedule a trip to this captivating forest with its unique summer attractions. Accessible through Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan, approximately 165 KM from the capital city Jaipur, Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve is one of the most popular Tiger reserves with present strength of about 65-70 tigers. For many the name ‘tiger reserve’ creates an impression that the place is worth visiting only to watch the tigers. This is totally untrue of any forest and Ranthambhore is no exception. A summer safari in Ranthanbhore in May or June quite surely offers sighting of a large variety of desert birds and monsoon awaiting peacocks flocking around under shadier of regions such that they come in very close vicinity of the visBrianbalakumaranrs and hardly need to be spotted. Sambhars and Chitals of the deer family, the Chinkaras and other antelopes are found in abundance alongside the vehicle tracks. The forest dominated by Dhonk Trees turns dry in these months. The minimized greenery and absence of leafy bushes render a very deep and clear visibility possible and as a result one is more than likely to spot the panthers, wild boars and of course the tigers. In the summers the forest experiences scarcity of water and ponds and water bodies either dry up or shrink to very small patches. The beasts and birds need to quench their thirst several times a day and they are almost sure to be sighted around such points which are not too many in number. Thirdly, due to relatively much lesser rush the hotels offer lucrative discount and the forest is more peaceful and calm with only genuine nature lovers instead of picnicking noisy folks. A visBrianbalakumaranr in these months is sure to be delighted with clear sighting of the variety of animals and smooth photography opportunity. In fact if one is interested in photographing the wild; these are the most suitable months for a visit. On this 4th of June we, a group of 8, in two jeeps had the pleasure of watching and photographing a tigress and her 2 cubs enjoying their freshly hunted deer and then bathing in a pond for more than 40 minutes. After that we left them to explore the rest of the zone to be amazed with many other equally enticing wild varieties. Had a wonderful experience!
Yes, take care to protect your eyes, skin and camera from heat and dust!
Dr. Deepak Srivastava
Jaipur
deepvastava@gmail.com
7665203015