Area : 400 sq km approx./ 39,200 hectares.
Established : 1955 as a sanctuary,
1973 as a tiger reserve, 1981 as a national park.

Description:

Ranthambore National Park

is one of the prime examples of Project Tiger’s conservation efforts in Rajasthan. The forests around the Ranthambore Fort were once, the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. The desire to preserve the game in these forests for sport, was responsible for their conservation, and subsequent rescue by Project Tiger.

The Park sprawls over an estimated area of 400 sq kms. Steep crags embrace a network of lakes and rivers, and a top one of these hills, is the impressive Ranthambore Fort, built in the 10th century. The terrain fluctuates between impregnable forests and open bushland. The forest is the typically dry deciduous type, with dhok, being the most prominent tree. The entry point to the Park, goes straight to the foot of the fort and the forest rest house, Jogi Mahal. The latter boasts of the second-largest banyan tree in India. The Padam Talab, the Raj Bagh Talab and the Malik Talab are some of the lakes in the area, that attract the tiger population. They have been spotted at the edges of these lakes, and Jogi Mahal itself. Old crumbling walls, ruined pavilions, wells, and other ancient structures stand witness to the region's glorious past. The entire forest is peppered with the battlements and spillovers of the Ranthambore Fort - tigers are said to frequent these ruins, too. As a result of stringent efforts in conservation, tigers, the prime assets of the Park, have become more and more active during the day. More than in any other park or sanctuary in India, tigers are easily spotted here in daylight. They can be seen lolling around lazily in the sun, or feverishly hunting down Sambar around the lakes.

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.

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 in Ranthambhore National Park:

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

Hanuman Langur	Sloth Bear	Common Palm Civet
Ruddy Mongoose	Caracal	Fishing Cat
Wild Boar	Nilgai	Indian porcupine
Golden Jackal	Ratel	Small Indian Mongoose
Striped Hyena	Jungle Cat	Leopard
Chital	Indian Gazelle	Indian Hare
Bengal Fox	Small Indian Civet	Indian Grey Mongoose
Leopard Cat	Wild Cat	Tiger
Sambar	Northern Palm Squirrel

Ranthambore National Park