RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK

Ranthambore National Park: The park, which is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country Park's abandoned fortress, lakes and above all it's `friendly' tigers have made it one of the most filmed wildlife reserves in the world. Ranthambore was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and became part of Project Tiger in 1973.

Ranthambore National park is famous for its tigers and is one of the best places in the country to see these majestic predators in the wild. The tigers can be easily spotted even during the day. A good time to visit between November and May when the nature of the dry deciduous forests makes sightings common. The Park which covers an area of nearly 400 sq. km. and is set between the Aravali and Vindhya ranges. Its deciduous forests were once a part of the magnificent jungles of Central India.

The varied topography of the national park is home to animals like the jackal,mongoose, sloth bear, leopard, and of course, the tiger. Ranthambore has much more to offer you in sightseeing and excursions. Surrounded by the Vindhya and Aravali hill ranges and located very near to the outer fringes of the Thar Desert, this place offers you the best of the desert land as well as plain area near the hills.

Area : 400 sq km approx./ 39,200 hectares.
Established : 1955 as a sanctuary,
1973 as a tiger reserve, 1981 as a national park.

Description:
Ranthambore National Park is one of the prime examples of Project Tiger’s conservation efforts in Rajasthan. The forests around the Ranthambore Fort were once, the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. The desire to preserve the game in these forests for sport, was responsible for their conservation, and subsequent rescue by Project Tiger.

The Park sprawls over an estimated area of 400 sq kms. Steep crags embrace a network of lakes and rivers, and a top one of these hills, is the impressive Ranthambore Fort, built in the 10th century. The terrain fluctuates between impregnable forests and open bushland. The forest is the typically dry deciduous type, with dhok, being the most prominent tree. The entry point to the Park, goes straight to the foot of the fort and the forest rest house, Jogi Mahal. The latter boasts of the second-largest banyan tree in India. The Padam Talab, the Raj Bagh Talab and the Malik Talab are some of the lakes in the area, that attract the tiger population. They have been spotted at the edges of these lakes, and Jogi Mahal itself. Old crumbling walls, ruined pavilions, wells, and other ancient structures stand witness to the region's glorious past. The entire forest is peppered with the battlements and spillovers of the Ranthambore Fort - tigers are said to frequent these ruins, too. As a result of stringent efforts in conservation, tigers, the prime assets of the Park, have become more and more active during the day. More than in any other park or sanctuary in India, tigers are easily spotted here in daylight. They can be seen lolling around lazily in the sun, or feverishly hunting down Sambar around the lakes.

Seasons :
October-June, the best period being December-April.

Access :
Fly to Jaipur (the closest airport) and drive to Ranthambore (165 kms) By train : Ranthambore National Park is approx. 12 km from the Sawaimadhopur Railway station, that lies on the Delhi to Mumbai trunk route.

Temperature :

Rainfall : 68 cms

Clothing :
Summer : light tropical
Winter : Light wollen
Languages : Hindi, Rajasthani and English

Park Safari Timings in Ranthambhore National Park:

Mammals: