Ranthambhor National Park

Situated near the township of Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan, Ranthambore National Park is a fine example of efforts to conserve wildlife in India. Once Ranthambore was the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. The park came under Project Tiger in 1972.

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Sprawling over an estimated area of 400 sq kms, the park is set between the Aravali and Vindya Ranges. The terrain is rugged with rocky ridges, hills and open valleys and has a network of lakes and rivers. Ranthambore Fort, built in the 10th century, is on top of one of the hills in the park. The prominent tree in the dry deciduous forest is dhok.

It is one of the few parks where tigers are easily spotted in broad daylight hunting and taking care of their young. The tiger population is estimated to be around 30 in the park. The wildlife includes tiger, panther, leopard, sambar, nilgai, sloth bear, marsh crocodile, Indian hare, mongoose, monitor lizards, hyena, jackal, civet, fox, caracal, and ratel.

The park has more than 300 varieties of birds. Jacanas, painted stork, black stork, white necked stork, peafowls, parakets, doves, storks, egrets, flycatchers, eagle and owls are common in the park. During the winter migratory birds such as greylag goose, ruddy shelduck and pintails arrive in the park. Recently the rare black eagle and the crashed hawk eagle have also been sighted.

Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve comprises distinct areas with varied conservation history and virtually separated geographically, with mere narrow corridors linking them to the core, Ranthambhore National Park, Keladeve Sanctuary and Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary.

Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary
The terrain is flat and rocky and there are some hills with gentle slopes. The Devpura irrigation dam in the Sanctuary is a useful source of water for wildlife and a good habitat for aquatic for a and fauna. Keladevi Sanctuary
The Keladeve Sanctuary is the northern extension of the Ranthambhore in Kaarauli and Sawai Madhopur districts. It has hills in its southern, northern and eastern parts. At many places, it has the curious feature of two separate ridges running parallel to each other. The forest between such ridges is dense. The Sanctuary is bound to the west by the river Banas and to the south by the river Chambal. The Banas finally flows into the Chambal.

The nearest town is Sawai Madhopur, 11 km away. The nearest rail head is also in Sawai Madhopur. Jaipur at 145km is the nearest airport. The park is easily accesses by road. Hotels, restaurants, jungle lodges and other varieties of accommodations are available around the park and in Sawai Madhopur. The best time to visit the park is from October to June.