For the 1st time, I was entering deep into the Jungle. Suddenly, the guide yelled, from that side! I couldn’t round up my head on what was happening.
And then my husband told me, “You are going to witness one of the most exhilarating experiences of your life.”

Due to a last minute trip, my entire family landed at Ranthambore around 1:30pm. Sometimes, so-called working professionals plan like that.
Ranthambore is a small town in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan. Now world famous. Courtesy of their Tiger sanctuary.

As Safari happens only in two slots, we decided not to waste time and went for afternoon safari. Ranthambore National Park is divided into 10 zones, we got zone 2 that day. 

We were now entering deep into the jungle. Before this, my encounter with jungle was limited to the Poem ‘सतपुड़ा के घने जंगल, नींद मे डूबे हुए से
ऊंघते अनमने जंगल’ by Bhawani Prasad Mishra.

Guide on the canter asked everyone to be calm and silent. He didn’t want to miss the call. (For the unknown, Call is a sound made by other animals when they sense a Tiger nearby. Guides are dependent on this call to make sure tourists get to see the Tiger).

Suddenly, the driver yelled, from that side!

And then put his foot on the accelerator and vroomed the canter. He was driving the canter (a 20-seater open bus) as if he was driving a Gypsy. Suddenly , 3 canters and some 7-8 Gypsies were all running in the same direction! I had my heart in my mouth.

I couldn’t round up my head on what was happening. And then my husband told me, “You are going to witness one of the most exhilarating experiences of your life.”

He was correct. And then what unfolded, was beyond beautiful and surreal.

A tigress with her two cubs, was roaming in her natural habitat.

A constant clicking of camera sound, people talking excitedly and in hush tones, guide asking people to keep sound lower, all this happening all together, within seconds.

And those who think we would take a selfie with a tiger, when you actually see them, you almost forget about it!

Next day, we were exceptionally Lucky. We saw the famous Noor. T 39. Yes, all tigers have numbers as well. When you spot a tiger, entire surrounding gets charged. You hear birds chirping, other animals making loud sound, leaves rustling if there is a wind – all this as if climax of the movie is getting unveiled. 

But watching a Male tiger, from close quarters, makes you realize how big these cats are in size. Their swagger, fearlessness and the Royal attitude has no match! 

And that’s how this last minute trip made me a wildlife enthusiast for life.