Ranthambore National Park, famous for its Tigers in the Aravalli ranges is covered with deciduous forest. Its land scape is lapped by the Vindhyan hills and its lucent topography consists of limestones, sand stone rocks and perennial rocks. The Park was a hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Jaipur in earlier days and now a Project Tiger reserve to protect the much endangered Predator of the jungle. The Park is situated barely 14 kms from the town of Sawai Madhopur in the historically rich state of Rajasthan. It spread from gentle to narrow steeps with flat topped hills (Indala,Chiroli) of the Vindhyas to the flat valleys and rocky gordes. Granted the status of a National park in 1981, the Ranthambore National Park covers an area of nearly 400 sq.km.

Ranthambore actually consists of not one but three wildlife reserves namely the Ranthambore National Park, the Sawai Mansing Sanctuary and the Keladevi Sanctuary. Its royal past is glorified with the presence of the magnificent thousand year old "Ranthambore fort" in its vicinity.


Wild Life Attractions
Fauna - Although, lately reports available show decline in the population of the Royal Bengal Tiger, yet it is the best place in India to see the wild cats in its pure habitat. Another predator that can be spotted easily in the higher vegetative marsh land is the leopard. There are also Jungle cats, Hyenas, Wild boars and different types of Deers (like the Sambhar deer, Chital Deer,Chinkara Deer), Langurs and Bluebulls.

The silent tranquility of the lakes are sometimes disturbed by the Tigers in search of their prized possessions, the Crocodiles. The sight of a monitor lizard can be an amazing one as well.

Flora - The Main Flora includes Pipal ficus Religiousa, Vad, Amaltas Cassia fistula, Gurjan and Siris Saintha. The land scape is filled with Banyan tree, Dhok and Pipal tree. Also, cluster of trees of mangoes surround the park. The three biggest lakes are Padam Talab, Malik Talab and Rajbagh

Birds - The picturesque landscape of the park attracts a large varieties of the bird Species to the park. Nearly 270 species including the migratory species can be seen in the park. Some commonly seen species are Bonneli's Eagle, Quail, Fly Catcher, Great Indian horned Owl, Spoon Bills, Kingfisher, Geese and Ducks. But the most beautiful bird to be seen from the walls of the Fort is the Peacock dancing on the cliffs, with its feathers expanded to the fullest.


Park Trips
Ranthambore Park is open to visitors between October and June but the best time is between December and April. After arriving in the Park there is an organised canter and jeep safaris twice a day for the animal lovers. Wild life viewing through "Jeep Safaries" and in open -trucks are as exciting as trekkings and visit to the nearby fort.


Accommodation
Accommodation in the Ranthambore Park is available at the" Tiger Den Resort " located in the nearby village Khilchipur. It has 20 double bedded rooms and 8 Swiss cottage tents with attached toilet and hot and cold running water. Also available are Continental cuisines, a swimming pool, and a bar to raise the spirit of the guests.

The Hammir wildlife resort is situated on Ranthambore road on the way to the park. It has two air conditioned cottages, 12 twin bedded air conditioned rooms with attached bathrooms.Supply of hot and cold water is available. Laundry facility is available and also there is a restaurant serving Indian meals.

Apart from these, Ankur Resort and ITDC's Kamdhenu are other midway options to the visitors.


How to Reach
By Air - Nearest airport is Jaipur, Ranthambore Park is at a distance of 130 kms from Jaipur.
By Rail - Nearest railway junction is in Sawai Madhopur. The park is at a distance of 11kms from Sawai Madhopur railway station on the Delhi- Mumbai trunk route.
By Road - A good network of buses connect Sawai Madhopur, the nearest town from Ranthambore to all the major cities in the state of Rajasthan.