Jaipur, Jhalana Leopard Park, Ranthambhore National Park
Big Cats of Jhalana and Ranthambore - A 7-Day Safari Photography Tour
Overview
Many of India’s wildlife reserves have royal pasts, and none more so than those in the state of Rajasthan. This tour not only gives you the opportunity to explore one of Rajasthan’s premier wildlife destinations, Ranthambore National Park, but also the chance to look for leopards in Jhalana Leopard Reserve, a unique and beautiful forest reserve close to the city of Jaipur.
The city of Jaipur boasts beautiful architecture, monuments, forts and palaces, a royal era of queens and kings, and delicious food. No trip to Jaipur is complete without visiting the famous Amer fort, the majestic fort, walled through and through, City Palace (where the royal family of Jaipur still lives), a beautiful palace with various rooms that used to serve different purposes to the royals back in the day, Hawa Mahal, the palace of windows and the local markets, as you walk around the pink city, you realize the heritage value of the monuments, forts, palaces, and markets.
In addition to all this, the forests of Jhalana make for a quick and easy wildlife addition. Once a sport hunting ground for the nobles of Jaipur, Jhalana is a leopard-rich forest that is the perfect quick addition to any Jaipur visit. Apart from Leopard, Jhalana has other attractions such as Striped Hyena, Golden Jackal, Indian Palm Civets, various species of deer, and a myriad of birds, including Indian Pitta, Dusky Eagle-Owl, Spotted Owlet, Jungle Nightjar, and more.
Ranthambore National Park is arguably one of the best wildlife reserves in North India to spot a tiger. Ranthambore is credited to be home to the world’s most photographed wild tigers. The park is also a great place for birders, with species like Large Cuckooshrike, Indian Scops Owl, Dusky Eagle-Owl, Black-rumped Flameback, Yellow-legged Buttonquail, and more, calling it home.
The park is made up mainly of deciduous forest and is considered to be among India’s most beautiful national parks thanks to the ruins of the Ranthambore Fort, and the various adjoining man-made lakes, that create a regal backdrop. Many villages and resorts are usually located around the fringes of the buffer areas.
Meals: On Own
Accommodation: Umaid Haveli / Umaid Mahal
Arrive in Jaipur, and check in at the hotel. Rest day at leisure, evening you can explore the city by own.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Umaid Haveli / Umaid Mahal
Enjoy morning and afternoon safaris to look for wildlife in Jhalana. In between the safaris, you will have plenty of free time to explore some of Jaipur’s monuments, which speak to the royal heritage of the city. Visitor attractions include palaces like the Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, and City Palace, the Amer, Nahargarh, and Jaigarh Fort, Jantar Mantar, as well as various temples.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Leopard, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Indian Pitta, Indian Golden Oriole, Indian Peafowl, Large Grey Babbler, Common Iora
Meals: Breakfast in Jaipur, Lunch and Dinner in Ranthambhore
Accommodation: Ranthambhore Heritage Haveli or similar
Enjoy another morning Jhalana leopard safari. Not only is Jhalana home to a dense population of leopards and deer, but it is also one of the best birding spots near Jaipur, with species like Jungle Nightjar, Spotted Owlet, Crested Bunting, White-browed Fantail, and more calling it home.
Later, check-out and drive to Ranthambhore National Park (4-4.5 hrs). Evening at leisure.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Ranthambore Heritage Haveli
Explore the wilderness of Ranthambore with morning and afternoon safaris for tiger tracking and wildlife viewing. Bird watching in Ranthambore is also a great activity, with a wide variety of birds calling the park home.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Indian Vulture, Red-headed Vulture, Indian Scops Owl, Ashy Drongo, Rufous Treepie, Crested Bunting, Yellow-throated Sparrow
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Ranthambore Heritage Haveli
Enjoy two more safaris today, which will not only increase your chances of seeing some amazing wildlife at Ranthambore but will also help you learn more about the history and wildlife of the park.
Key species: Tiger, Leopard, Spotted Owlet, Indian Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Changeable Hawk-Eagle.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Ranthambore Heritage Haveli
Another round of morning and afternoon safaris in the park.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Tiger, Leopard, Sambar, Nilgai, Indian Peafowl, Indian Scops Owl, Rufous Treepie, White-bellied Drongo
Meals: Breakfast in Ranthambhore
Accommodation: None
After breakfast, checkout and drive to Jaipur to connecting the flight back home.
Highlights
- Explore one of India’s most popular tiger reserves
- A rich variety of flora and fauna
- Birdwatching in some of North India’s best birding destinations
- Wildlife safaris to search for big cats and other wildlife
- Great photography opportunities
- Delicious Rajasthani cuisine
- Stay in some of the region’s best eco-lodges
Included
- Accommodation for 02 nights at Jaipur 03 Wildlife safaris at Jhalana with park entrance fee
- Mandatory park guide in Jhalana Accommodation for 03 nights at Ranthambore
- 06 Wildlife safaris at Ranthambore National Park Mandatory park wildlife guide in Ranthambhore
- All surface transfers by a car All Taxes
Video
Location
Stories
FAQ's
- Do leopards and tigers avoid each other in the wild in Indian jungles?
-
Leopards and tigers, being top predators, do share territories in Indian jungles, but they usually steer clear of each other. It’s all about avoiding competition for both species. Tigers are way bigger and stronger than leopards, so a leopard would usually stay away from a tiger’s territory to avoid getting into a fight.
Leopards prefer to be flexible and relax in spots where tigers aren’t usually found, such as dense undergrowth or higher areas. They’re fantastic at climbing and using trees to get away from tigers. Tigers, on the flip side, like hunting on the ground and aren’t as keen on chasing leopards in these high-up places.
Another big factor in this avoidance behavior is “niche differentiation.” Tigers often hunt larger prey like deer and wild boar, while leopards focus on smaller animals like monkeys and smaller deer species. They hunt different prey and use different parts of the habitat, so there’s less competition.
Long story short, leopards and tigers have some of the same territory, but they try to keep their distance to avoid issues and fighting. They hunt differently and have different homes.
