28 May, 2018
Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India
After the haze and hustle of the "Pink City" of Jaipur the tranquil Ranthambore National Park is the antidote to its colourful chaos.
Fateh Singh Rathore made Ranthambore into one of the world's best-known tiger reserves and the hotel is abundant with wildlife. Several watering holes attract crocodiles, jackals and desert foxes and tigers have even been sighted within the confines of the camp.
Once the hunting ground for the ruling Maharajas of Jaipur, today Ranthambore is one of the largest and most renowned national parks in northern India. Khem Villas, a family-owned hotel with an emphasis on sustainable tourism offers accomodations in the form cream-canopied tents which stare out across a horizon of mountains and thick jungle and were developed by Goverdhan Singh Rathore, the son of India's famous "Tiger Man".
The dry season is from late June to October.
Hundreds of peacocks and deer - otherwise known as tiger chocolates - and as you venture deeper the wild boar, jungle cats and vividly coloured birds. The elusive Royal Bengal tiger however is a more challenging find.
Days start early - often in darkness - so blankets and hot water bottles are essentials. Driving down dusty roads you'll be glad of the extra layers to wrap up in.
