Ranthambore National Park is positioned at the convergence of the Vindhyan plateau and Aravali hill, in the Eastern region of Rajasthan. Two rivers, namely Banas in the North and Chambal in the South, flow through this National Park. You can also find six artificial lakes and quite a few perennial streams passing through the Ranthambore National Park. In the year of 1955, this Park got declared as a game sanctuary. However, its status of a national park came in the year of 1980.

The year 1972 marks the commencement of Project Tiger. It was at this point of time when this park was conferred the status of a tiger reserve in the country. Ranthambore National Park is spread on an area of 1,334 sq kms together with its neighboring sanctuaries - the Mansingh Sanctuary and the Kaila Devi Sanctuary. In this park, there are some areas earmarked for the tourists where they can wander at their heart’s will and explore the fauna and flora housed here. In fact, this distinctive feature of the park is a much loved one, particularly among the tourists. The rugged topography and the intense deciduous forests are key characteristics of this Park, which plays host to one of the most diverse and biggest group of wildlife species in the country.

This Park is also declared a heritage site because of the scenic ruins of a fort that dots it. Ranthambore National Park located in Rajasthan is easily accessible via road, rail and air. If you take the road to this place, you may use private taxis, AC luxury coaches or local buses run by the Rajasthan Transport Corporation. For tourists coming by train, the nearest rail head is at Sawai Madhopur, 11 Kms from this Park. For air-travelers, the closest airport is at Jaipur, 140 Kms from Ranthambore National Park. It is best to visit Ranthambore between February and April when the climate is mild. As the weather of this place is pretty extreme at other times of the year, if you visit it during the aforesaid period, you would enjoy seeing the animals sans any discomfort.

Ranthambore National Park is renowned for its magnificent Royal Bengal Tigers. In India, this Park is one of your best bets to observe tigers amidst their wild habitat. You can watch these royal beasts on the prowl in the forest, resting lazily on the ruins of the picturesque fort, or moving with grandeur around the lakes as well as the watering holes. So, make a beeline for Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan without any further delay. You would definitely adore your visit to the place. Take our words when we say that after coming here for once, you would yearn to come back again for more! IndianHoliday provides online information and online booking for a tour to Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan. To make a booking or for more information, fill up the form given below.

Places to see
There are many interesting spots for you to see in Ranthambore. The Ranthambore National Park is regarded as the most suitable place for wildlife photography in the world. Here you can capture the tiger in its various moods and moments. Besides the Ranthambore Park, there are places like the Ranthambore Fort (one of its kind in the entire state of Rajasthan), Jogi Mahal (the wonderful forest guesthouse) and the various species of flora and fauna, which are also worth a look. While in Ranthambore you can also get the feel of local customs and traditions of the region. A Jeep safari followed by the dinner consisting of the region's delicacies is an experience not to be missed.

Park:
The park, which is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country, is the main attraction of Ranthambore. Spread over an area of 392 sq. km, Ranthambore is characterised by dry deciduous forests sprawling over the Aravalli and Vindhyan ranges. If you are fortunate enough you can also see the tiger strolling in the jungle or near any of the three lakes-Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab and Milak Talab.

The park also has panthers in sizable numbers, though they have been spotted generally at the outskirts of the park perhaps due to the inevitable conflict with the tiger population, which command the 'superior' position amidst the predatory cats. For spotting panthers, Kachida Valley is regarded as the ideal place. Other mammalian species that have made Ranthambore their home are antelopes, nilgai, sambhar, chital, sloth bear, wild boar, chinkara, porcupines, jackals, leopards, jungle cats, fox, caracals, hyena, gazelle, Indian hare, mongoose and jacanas.

Besides animals, about 264 species of birds are found within the park including painted storks, white-necked storks, black storks, peafowl, crested serpent eagles, Bonelli's eagle, Indian horned owl, quail, partridge, spur fowl, paradise flycatcher and jacanas. During winters migratory birds like graylag goose, ruddy sheiduck and pintails may also be spotted. Monitor lizards and marsh crocodiles are also found here. The park was one of the places visited by the former U.S. President Bill Clinton during his visit to India.

Ranthambore Fort:
A visit to Ranthambore means a visit to the noteworthy Ranthambore fort too. The fort was built by the Chauhan rulers in the 10th century and is regarded as one of the oldest forts of Rajasthan. Due to its strategic location, the fort was ideal to keep the enemy at bay. The fort is also related to the historical legend of the royal women performing jauhar(self immolation) when the Muslim invader Ala-ud-din Khilji laid siege on this fort in 1303. The fort is characterised by temples, tanks, massive gates and huge walls.

Jogi Mahal:
The Jogi Mahal makes a must visit place in Ranthambore. It is the forest rest house that overlooks the pretty Padam Talab. The Mahal lies close to the park and has all the facilities for a comfortable stay. The most important aspect of Jogi Mahal that attracts a large number of tourists every year is the ancient banyan tree which is believed to be the second largest banyan tree in India.

Flora and Fauna:
Ranthambore is characterised by the typical desert land of Rajasthan. The park here is the natural habitat of a sizeable number of panthers. Due to the considerable population of the tigers in the Ranthambore national park, the site has been taken under project tiger. The flora of the place is characterised by dry deciduous shrubs and not so high trees.

However the topography varies in some places from secure forests to open scrublands. Dhok is the most prominent tree that you can find here. The aquatic flora in Ranthambore includes lovely lotus flowers and water lilies. In fauna, Ranthambore makes the natural habitat of some of the mammalian species like the antelopes, nilgai, sambhar, chital, sloth bear, wild boar, chinkara, porcupines, jackals, leopards, jungle cats, fox, caracals, hyena, gazelle, Indian hare, and mongoose. You can also find about 264 species of birds here.

Sawai Madhopur Village:
Located just 12 kilometres away from Ranthambore, Sawai Madhopur is one of the major excursion destination here. However if you are visiting Ranthambore by the Delhi-Mumbai railway route, the village of Sawai Madhopur falls in the middle of the road making it the gateway to the Park. Sawai Madhopur has always been the centre of attraction of the Rajput rulers. The town has many historic legends attached to it.