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 About the only thing you will have to get used to, when you plan
a camel safari, is the ungainly movement of the ship of the desert. The camel
may look aloof, but is the lifeline for the people of the desert whose
communication needs depend on this vital beast for their very survival. Most
journeys into the hinterlands are still made on camel-back, or in camel carts,
and the camel is also used for ploughing the arid fields of the desert.
A saddle is mounted across the camel's hump, providing
comfortable seating for two, legs astride. At first the rolling gait of the
camel is a little disconcerting, but riders soon get used to the rhythm.
Since the sun can get very hot in the desert, the best times for
a camel safari are in the morning and evening, even in the cooler winter
months. Such safaris are usually run by professional outfits who hire Raikas,
the camel-keepers who are adept at finding the best routes and waterholes in
the desert, and navigate almost by instinct, guided, of course, by the position
of the stars at night.
This becomes necessary should you be planning a long- distance
safari over a few days. Camel safaris, of course, can range from just a day to
several days, and you can choose an option that best meets your needs and
schedules. Remember, most such safaris can traverse a distance of 30-40 km a
day, and you may need to plan accordingly should you wish to trians-navigate
between two different towns.
Best camel safari points are the desert region that includes the
entire Shekhawati belt, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, and around Pushkar and
Nagaur, and only the winter season (October-March) is recommended.
Visitors are advised to dress modestly since the safari may
pass, and camp, in close proximity of villages. A sola-topee, the local turban
or some form of head protection is essential, and people should ensure that
they drink water at regular intervals.
Horse Safaris
Rajasthani Horse Safari Adventure Tour offers you the close look of the
delights of Rajasthan and some of the most picturesque views at close quarters.
You will cover some of the less-visited places in this tour such as Nawalgarh,
Kotru, Hemawas, Rohet and Kharwa. Horse safari may cover a distance of about 25
to 30 km in a day, with hot lunches served to you on the way.
Elephant Safaris
 The most regal way of seeing Rajasthan is on an elephant safari,
since nothing can even compare with the majesty of the pachyderm - no wonder
the rulers used elephants for their journeys. Equipped with a howdah, a large
seat on which they would sit, complete with soft silk cushions, and with a
ceremonial umbrella over their heads, modern day safaris may pale in
comparison, but are no less regal on that account.
The elephant treads slowly and steadily, and a safari would be ideal in and
around principal towns, especially in the vicinity of wildlife sanctuaries
where the same elephants can do double-duty for viewing wildlife.
Since an elephant safari is an elaborate affair, and requires
many attendants for the beast as well, such camps too tend to be more lavish,
and so these are best for incentive groups who can be promised an experience,
the like of which they are unlikely to ever have elsewhere.
Jeep safaris
The open jeep is the most conducive way of seeing Rajasthan, especially in the
winter months when the chilly breeze and warm sunshine provide a heady
combination. Such jeep safaris can be organised by travel agents, but should
not be confused with the mere hiring of vehicles to commute between different
destinations. A safari means an exploration of lesser-known destinations and
the countryside, and may also include forays off the roads, though it is not
advisable to drive in the sand for obvious reasons.
The best jeep safari country is similar to that used for horse
safaris, in and around Udaipur, since the rugged Mewar terrain with its
forested valleys and scraggy hills and rocky outcrops provides an entrancing
landscape. The tribal regions, the small villages, the ruins of old forts, the
temple complexes all add up to providing a sense of destination to such
safaris. Another rewarding region for jeep safaris is the Shekhawati belt with
its painted towns that are in close proximity to each other, but interspersed
with the scraggy desert where, for miles around, nothing but the sand
stretches.
Jeep safaris can be fun because the pace can be varied to suit one's needs,
packing in days of fast travelling with leisurely camping. Safari outfits send
a team ahead for picnic lunches, and for setting up camps in the open.
Alternates can be to stay in a choice of heritage hotels that dot the vast
regions of the desert.
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