Located in the Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, which is about 130 km from Jaipur, Ranthambore National Park is one of the biggest and most renowned national park in Northern India. It is named for the historic Ranthambore fortress which lies within the national park. Covering an area of 392 km the park is known for its tiger population and is one of India’s project tiger reserve. Ranthambore is also known as the famous heritage site because of the pictorial ruins that dot the wildlife park. A visit to the national park is a treat for every wildlife and nature lover.
Wildlife attractions
The national park has huge variety of animals, birds and reptiles within it. Primarily the population consists of tigers, leopards, Striped Hyenas, Sambar deer, Chital, Nilgai, Common or Hanuman langurs, Macaques, Jackals, Jungle cats, Caracals, Sloth bears, Black bucks, Rufoustailed Hare, Indian Wild Boar, Chinkara, Common Palm Civets or Toddy cat, Coomon Yellow Bats, Desert Cats, Fivestriped Palm Squirels, Indian False Vampires, Indian Flying Foxes, Indian Foxes, Indian Gerbilles, Indian Mole Rats, Indian Porcupines, Longeared Hedgehogs, Ratels, Small Indian Mongoose, Small Indian Civets and Common mongoose.The park also has large number of marsh crocs reptiles which include: Snub Nosed Marsh Crocodiles, Desert Monitor Lizards, Tortoise, Banded Kraits, Cobras, Common Kraits, Ganga Soft Shelled Turtles, Indian Pythons, etc. Due to its varied terrain and abundance of water bodies, the park also has some of the most important birds like Graylag Goose, Woodpeckers, etc.
Permits: Travellers need to pay only for usage of video-camera. There are only two safari visiting hours per day.: the 6 am safari and the 2.30 pm safari.
When to visit: From October to June.
Accommodation: From high end accommodation like Vanya Vilas and Aman I Khas to luxury hotels/ resorts like Sher Bagh, Dev Vilas, Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge, Nahargarh, Khem Vilas. Standard hotels like Ankur resort, Raj Palace Resort, Sanctuary resort, Jungle view resort are also available.
How to reach:
Air: Jaipur and Kota is the nearest airports.
Rail: The easiest way to reach Ranthambore is to take a train to Sawai Madhopur. This town is well connected with trains to/from Jaipur, Mumbai and Delhi.
Road:Apart from Madhopur, Kota to Ranthambhore can be covered in 1.5 hours easily.
