Location: Near Sawai Madhopur, in the state of Rajasthan.
Main Wildlife Attractions: Tigers, Leopards and Peacock
Coverage Area: 392-sq-kms
Best Time to Visit: October- June

Ranthambor (Sawai-Madhopur) National Park
Ranthambor National Park, the most prestigious Tiger Reserve comes under the Project Tiger Reserves of the world. The Wild Life Park is perched at the foothills of Aravali Ranges near the small town of Sawai-Madhopur. Ranthambor is a spectacular amalgamation of the great Rajput bravado with panoramic view of un-exploit natural grandeur that creates an idle place for a wildlife wonder-lust tourist.

Extended over an area of more then 392 sq. km the Ranthambhore Wildlife National Park is perhaps India's foremost illustration of Project Tiger. Here government has taken all necessary efforts to conserve and regenerate the shrinking number of tigers in India.

The park once the erstwhile hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Jaipur, going back to 12th century AD is embellished with 6 beautiful manmade lakes. Rivers Chambal on the South and Banas on the North haunch the park. It has a prodigious rock terrain with steep slopes, enduring streams and towering trees. It was established as a sanctuary in 1959 and later on in 1981 Ranthambore was declared as a National Park. In recent times, Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were Maharaja Man Singh's special guests in 1960 who were invited specially to explore the treasures of great Ranthambor wilds and to watch the majestic beat 'The Tiger" in its natural habitat.

Vegetation in Park
The Wildlife Park enjoys the typical dry deciduous type of dense forests dotted with Pine trees, Banyan and Dhok trees as the main vegetation for animals. It is also the home to about 300 species of trees and 50 aquatic plants. Among the more fascinating features of Ranthambhore are the Banyan trees, some of which are known to be at least 800 years old, boasting of the excellent specimen of flora in the wild.
Other attraction is the blooming of the forest in the month of April covering the entire avenue with gorgeous fiery red aura, creating a picturesque sight for its visitors.

The Royal Indian Tiger
Viewing a tiger in its natural habitat is every wildlife enthusiasts cherished dream that can be realized in the Ranthambore Wild Life Park. The Indian tiger is one of the most royal beasts in the world with an astonishing adequacy to lurker upon its prey without a prior warning.

Ranthambore is among the renowned places in the world where the tiger regime is supreme. This majestic beast is a superior poacher, symbol of glory and power. There are about 25 tigers and 40 leopards in the reserve. This Gigantic mammal can best be viewed in its varied moods in its natural habitat, some times luxuriating under the shade of dense trees or wading in the water on a hot day. The most noticeable joints where one can have the glimpse of this royal beast is near the edges of three lakes-Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab and Milak Talab.

Wild Life Charms
The Park consists of 272 species of birds and reptiles including the marsh crocodile & amphibians. Besides tigers a large population of Leopards, Indian gazelle, Sambar, Nilgai (bluebull), Chital, Mongoose, Indian Hare, Monitor Lizards and highly endangered jungle cat and caracal can be traced in the woods. Besides these animals the forest also supports a large number of Aerial population. The sight of a peacock is just magnificent, as they are in ample in the forest often found spreading their kaleidoscopic feathers.

The whole wild panorama echoes with the loud sounds of boar, chinkara and langur. If you are looking for tigers you should pay attentions to these great alarm calls of a langur giving a good warning of the presence of a tiger in the wild. The lakes and pools in the park is the foremost rendezvous joint of the rich jungle wild.

Water Bodies and Birds
The park also abode copious variety of birds and water bodies, include great Indian horned owl, eagle, tapered serpent, quail, and paradise flycatcher. Black stork, necked stork can also be seen near the water holes. But perhaps the most visible bird in Ranthambhore is the peacock, India's national bird. The sight of a peacock is just magnificent, as they are in ample in the forest often found spreading their kaleidoscopic feathers

Great Wild Safari
The most exhilarating charm of a visit to a wildlife sanctuary is the safari into the jungles and encountering the surprises of the wild. The best way to hunt the wild treasures of Ranthambhore is through Jeep safari, it is the best means to explore the Royal Tiger.
Ranthambhore has an extensive variety of awe-inspiring panoramas to offer. One also gets a chance to drive in jeep safari through green grasslands, twinkling blue lakes, dense wooded forests and through deep ravines walled on both sides with steep hill. Each safari takes about three hours.

The animals can also be viewed through open roofed canters (small trucks) that cater 20 people at a time. Rides into the forest are very safe with open jeeps, as wild animals are quite habitual to human presence.

Magnificent Fort
Ranthambore Fort & Jogi Mahal : The rich forest around the fort is adorned with ruins that date back to the 10th century. Parts of the fort that lie inside the Park have been reclaimed by nature. The park derived its name from the Ranthambhore Fort, perched on a rocky outcrop in the heart of the park. The fort, dating back to the 10th century, is perhaps the oldest prevailing fort in Rajasthan. Fort and the Forest Rest House, Jogi Mahal, is famous for the second largest Banyan tree in India.

Best Time to Visit
The best times to view wildlife are the early mornings and evenings, as fixed by the forest department, and in Ranthambhore there is a fairly good chance of spotting a tiger.
Ranthambhore Wildlife Sanctuary is opened for visitors between October and June. However, during summers the wild life can be easily seen near the waterholes in the month of May or June.
March and April, especially, are months when tiger spotting is more common.

Accommodation Available
There are excellent accommodation facilities available in and around Ranthambore National Park. The Maharaja Lodge of the Taj Group facilitates luxury accommodation. Jogi Mahal inside the park and Hotel Kamadhenu are the resorts maintained by the RTDC. Jhoomer Baori forests lodge is also managed by the RTDC. These accommodations are equipped with all modern facilities and are designed to suit every budget.

Park Timings
October To March: 06:00 hrs - 09:00hrs & 15:00hrs - 18:00hrs"
April To June: 06:30 hrs - 09:30 hrs & 15:30 hrs- 18:00 hrs

Getting Around
Air: Nearest airport is Jaipur (175 kms). Tourist cabs and buses are easily available from Jaipur for the park.

Rail: Nearest railhead is Sawai-Madhopur (12 kms) which is on the Bombay-Delhi section of Western Railway. From there one can hire an auto or a meter taxi to reach the Wildlife Park.

Road: A regular bus service connects Ranthambore to Sawai-Madhopur 12 km, Agra 226 km, Bharatpur 166 km, Delhi 434 km and Jaipur 180 km.
Private Horse driven tongas are available at the Railway Station. R.T.D.C. or private jeeps can be hired from Tourist Information Bureau, Sawai-Madhopur.