Jaipur to Ranthambore 2-Day Tiger Safari with Two Drives

Ranthambore National Park is the best-known tiger reserve of Rajasthan, and this listing reaches it from Jaipur in two days, with two safaris. The first is in the afternoon of the first day and the second at dawn the next day, with a night in a hotel near the park. GetYourGuide shows it from about US$173 per person, which is 150 euros on the page, and rates it 5.0 from 6 reviews. Small groups and private groups are possible.

The first day starts in Jaipur, with a scenic drive of about three hours to Ranthambore. On arrival you check in to your hotel and take the time to settle in. A lunch at the hotel gives you a chance to rest before the afternoon safari. The page speaks of a comfortable hotel, and the price depends on whether you choose the option with a 3-, 4- or 5-star category.

In the afternoon you go into the park for the first safari. The guide takes you through the varied landscapes of the park, looking for tigers, leopards, sloth bears and other animals. After the safari you go back to the hotel for dinner and a night of rest. The page says that the safari costs and the park entrance fees are included in the price.

The second day starts before dawn. You wake early, have an early breakfast and set out for the morning safari, when the light is soft and the animals are active. The page invites you to prepare your camera for the first rays of sun through the leaves. After the safari you return to the hotel to rest, and in the afternoon you leave for Jaipur.

The drive back takes about three hours, and the page says that you arrive in Jaipur in the evening, where you are dropped at the place of your choice. The vehicle is a private air-conditioned one, with fuel, tolls and taxes included, and a bottle of water is offered. Tips for the driver, drinks and personal expenses are not included.

The listing gives important facts about the safari. The Forest Department manages and organises it, and the official guides are appointed, trained and registered by the department. It is a tiger reserve, not a zoo, and therefore tiger sightings are unpredictable and cannot be guaranteed. Two safaris double your chances, which is the reason for choosing a stay of two days and not a day trip.

The rules are strict. The page says that, under Supreme Court decisions, the use of a mobile phone during the safari is strictly forbidden, and it forbids smoking and photographs with flash. Follow the guide's instructions and the park rules for your safety. Children under five, pregnant women and people with back problems cannot take part.

The page recommends comfortable clothing suited to the outdoors, a hat, sunscreen, a camera and a bottle of water. Mornings in the park can be cold in the winter months, so take a warm layer, and a scarf for the dust, while the summer can be very hot. Keep your valuables at the hotel during the safaris.

The season matters. Ranthambore closes during the monsoon, from July to September, and the dry months from October to June are the time to visit. The hot weather, from April to June, is known for good sightings because the animals come to the water, though the heat is intense. Check the opening dates for your trip.

The price depends on your choice. The base price of 150 euros per person applies to the cheapest option, and the hotel categories cost more. Ask the operator for the price of the option you want and for the number of people in a group, since small groups and private groups are both possible.

Ask what the price covers. The page offers 3-, 4- and 5-star hotels with dinner and breakfast if the option is selected, so ask the operator exactly what the 150 euros covers and what each hotel category costs, so that you compare like with like.

Plan the drive. The road takes about three hours each way, so leave Jaipur in the morning, carry water and keep some small notes for tips. The safari fits well into a stay of three or four days in Jaipur, where you can see the Pink City before or after the park.

Carry the right gear. Binoculars help you to spot birds and distant animals, and a hat and sunscreen matter in the sun. Since mobile phones may not be used during the safari, bring a camera with a zoom lens, and keep the flash off. Wear neutral colours, which are less likely to disturb the wildlife, and respect the quiet of the forest.

Choose this stay if you want two safaris and a comfortable night close to the park, with the transfers organised from Jaipur. For one safari only, a day trip costs less, and for the best chance of a close look at a tiger, a private gypsy is the way to go.