Ranthambore National Park

Temperature : Months Morning Afternoon
October-March 10-15 º celcius 20-25 º celcius
April 20-25 º celcius 30-35º celcius
May-June 30-35 º celcius 40-45 º celcius
Rainfall : 68 cms
Clothing Summer : light tropical
Winter : Light wollen
Languages : Hindi, Rajasthani and English

Park Safari Timings:
Months Morning Afternoon
October-March 0600-0900 21500-1800 hrs
April-June 0630-0930 hrs 1530-1800 hrs

Situated in India. s northwestern state of Rajasthan, near the town of Sawai Madhopur, midway between Bharatpur and Kota townships Ranthambore National Park is surrounded by the Vindhya and Aravali hill ranges and is very near to the outer fringes of the Thar Desert. The entire area has sprawling tracts of the desert and semi-desert vegetation. Originally a hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur, Ranthambore was declared a game sanctuary in 1955. In 1980, it became a national park and listed among the reserves protected under Project Tiger (1973). Presently the Kaila Devi Sanctuary, also famous for its tigers, and Mansingh Sanctuary also form part of Ranthambore Reserve.

The tigers can be spotted quite often even during the day, at their normal pursuits - hunting and taking care of their young. With the strict measures that have been taken for their conservation, they seem quite accustomed to human activity and are not disturbed by it. A good time to visit is between November and April when the nature of the dry deciduous forests makes sightings common. Ranthambore has large numbers of sambar, chital and nilgai. Sounders of boar and an occasional gazelle the chinkara can be seen, as also the Indian hare, mongoose and monitor lizards.

The Park which covers an area of 392 sq. km. is set between the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges. Its deciduous forests were once a part of the magnificent jungles of Central India. The terrain is rugged and there are rocky ridges, hills and open valleys with lakes and pools. Ranthambore's royal past manifests itself in the picturesque ruins that dot the Park. There are lake palaces, chhatris, old fortifications and a majestic thousand year old fort on a height overlooking the Park. The forest rest house at the foot of the Ranthambore fort is located in the lovely Jogi Mahal. It overlooks a tank - the pretty Padam Talao, afloat with water lilies.

The lakes and pools at the Park are where the deer congregate and where it is easiest to see the animals. Among the other local fauna are the leopard, hyena, jackal, jungle cats, sloth bear and marsh crocodile. A view of the Jogi Mahal deciduous forests of the ancient Aravalli range, are excellent tiger country and Sariska, was once the royal reserve of the rulers of Alwar. Declared a sanctuary in 1955, it became a Tiger Reserve in 1979 under Project Tiger. Jacanas, painted stork, black stork, and white necked stork are seen along the water bodies. Peafowl are found in abundance and other birds include Bonelli's eagle, crested serpent eagle, the great Indian horned owl, quail, partridge, spur fowl and the paradise flycatcher.

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.