I did 3 safaris from on Dec 30 - 31st at Ranthambore - one at zone 4, two at zone 3. Sighting wise, can't complain as I got to see lot of animals and birds, including couple of tiger & one leopard. Specifically the sequence of events that led to sighting of Riddhi (female tigress) is memorable.
We were waiting by the side of Padam Talav as guides were saying that Riddhi had made a kill on the previous day and hidden it by the side of the lake. As it happens with Tigers, we were waiting for almost an hour in the same area. Then suddenly all the deers started running across the road from left to right, away from the lake. Out came a, not tiger, but a leopard, chasing the deers. It moved so fast that none of us could capture it on camera. We were still waiting for the leopard to appear again from other side of the road, when majestic Riddhi appeared from the lake side. She moved very close to the gypsies and canters for almost 5 minutes, spraying on the trees in the area. The Leopard came for the kill, hence Riddhi felt it was important to re-mark her territory.
But there are some major issues in the way Rajasthan forest department is running the show:
1. We were charged extra 70/- per head for the gypsy safari without any bill!!
2. On 31st Dec morning, 7 members were alloted to our gypsy were instead of 6!!
3. On 30th Dec evening safari, our canter (#1850) broke down and we entered the zone nearly at 3-30 PM, which was almost one and half hour later than the starting time of 2 PM. Worse, the canter didn't have proper seat for 20 people and I had to seat at guide's seat with guide standing all throughout. Still we had to leave by 5-30 PM, and there was no mention of refund!!
4. Canters, specifically, were driving like crazy knocking down few trees on the way. It was clear that there are no proper mechanism implemented by forest department to bring the culprits to the books. Have taken canter rides in Jim Corbett as well, they are much sensible there.
5. Number of gypsy, canters allowed were way too much. When we were waiting by the lake side, there were almost 20-25 gypsies and 3 canters in a 50m stretch!! Heard from the drivers that management allowed few extra cars owing to the rush.
I have visited tiger reserves all over India, this one was surely the worst managed. The sole objective of park management seems to make money, with scant regards for the flora, fauna or the visitors.