Location - The national park is located in Ranthambore, Rajasthan
Nearest City - Sawai Madhopur
About Ranthambore National Park
In eastern Rajasthan, between the mountain ranges of the Vindhyas and the
Aravalis, is the Ranthambore National Park covering an area of 1334 sq kms.
Out of the total area, the core are comprises just a 392 sq kms and is not
open for public. The park which was originally used as a hunting ground for
the Maharajas of Jaipur was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955, a
national park in 1980. In between when the Project Tiger was initiated, the
park became a part of it also and thus declared a tiger reserve.
The topography of the park varies from hills, rocky escarpments and valleys
while the elevation ranges between 200m to 500 m above sea level. Six
manmade lakes flow through the park fulfilling its water needs. The park
also has an internal drainage system. The vegetation of the park is mainly
deciduous with Dhok tree being the most prominent in entire park. The other
trees in the park include Aam, Imli, babul, banyan, ber, dhak or Chila,
jamun, kadam, khajur, khair. Karel, khejda, kakera, mohua and neem.
The Ranthambore National Park is not just known for its wildlife, rather it
has other attractions within its boundaries as well. There is a fort known
as the Ranthambore fort that dominates the park from the top of the hill.
This 1000 year old fort is recognised as the oldest fort in entire Rajasthan
and it is after this fort that the national park has ben named. There is
also the Jogi palace situated at the foot of Ranthambore fort which provides
spectacular views of the water lilies blooming in the Padam Talao.
Best Time to visit
The best time for tourists to visit this park is between the months of
October to June. The rest of the year, monsoons cause immense harm to the
park.
Wildlife of Ranthambore National Park
The major attraction of the Ranthambore National park are the tigers. These
tigers, unlike the tigers of the rest of the national parks in India, are
more seen. Infact, these tigers are also comfortable hunting while human
population is around and are not afraid of them.
Apart from the tigers, there are other animals also that attract the
attention of the visitors. These include 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 yellowb, 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.
» Reptiles of the Park - The reptile population of the park
comprises snub nosed marsh crocodiles, desert monitor lizards, tortoise,
banded kraits, cobras, common kraits, Ganga soft shelled turtles, Indian
pythons, North Indian flap shelled turtles, rat snakes, russel's vipers,
saw-scaled vipers and the Indian chamaeleon.
» Avi Fauna - There are 264 speicies of birds in the
park and numerous places to spot these birds (like Malik Talao, the
Ranthambore Fort, Rajbagh Talao, Padam Talao and in the Jhalra area).
Trips in Ranthambore National Park
» Jeep Safari - Jeep safari is the best way to
enjoy a trip round the park. There are only six jeeps allowed in the park
out of which five are booked by the hotels of the area for the convenience
of their guests. Therefore independent travellers need to book well in
advance if they want to avoid any last minute confusion and frustration.
Reaching There
» By Air - The nearest airport is at Jaipur which is
at a distance of 145-kms.
» By Rail - Sawai Madhopur railway station which is
around 11 kms away from the park is the nearest railhead for the park. Sawai
Madhopur lies on the Delhi to Bombay trunk route.
» By Road - Regular buses connect Sawi Madhopur to
all the important cities of Rajasthan.
Cities
of Rajasthan
