Ranthambore Reserve is situated in India's northwestern state of Rajasthan, near the town of Sawai Madhopur, midway between Bharatpur and Kota townships. It 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.

Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve lies on the junction of Aravali and Vindhyas just 14 kms from Sawai Madhopur in Eastern Rajasthan. It sprawls over a varying and undulating landscape. The scenery changes dramatically from gentle and steep slopes of the Vindhyas and sharp and conical hills of the Aravalis.

The park is famous for tigers and due to conservation efforts, the tiger population has stabilized if not increased here. The tigers can be spotted quite often even during the day, at their normal pursuits-- hunting and taking care of their young ones. Ranthambhor is one of the best places to see these majestic predators. 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 Ranthambhore fort - tigers are said to frequent these ruins, too.

A thousand year old fort also blends amicably with the background. Pure sands of Dhok interspersed with grasslands at the plateaus, meadows in valleys and luxuriant foliage around the canals make-up the jungle. Three big lakes – Padam Talab (meaning Lake), Malik Talab and Raj Bagh – are similar turquoises studded in the vast forest.

Prime Attractions of Ranthambore

» Jogi Mahal
The park is spread over an area of about 400 sq. kms. Above one of the hills is the strategically built 10th century fort, the Ranthambore Fort. Within this fort are some spectacular monuments. The terrain has some steep rugged rocks bordering the lakes and rivers, surrounded by dense forest and thick bushes. The forests have deciduous types of trees with Dhok as the most prominent tree. At the foot of the fort starts the forests. Located here is the Jogi Mahal, which houses the second largest banyan tree in India. Tigers wander around the lakes, Padam Talab, the Raj Bagh Talab and the Milak Talak that this forest houses. Jogi Mahal is also a favourite of tigers. The forest displays the old time battlements and spillovers of Ranthambore scattered throughout the forest, symbolising the region's glorious past. The tigers visit these ruins too.

Ranthambore serves as the best park for wildlife photography and attracts professionals from all around the world. Sincer the implementation of the project tiger, tigers can be spotted easily, lazing around in the sun, or hunting excitedly with great excitement near the sambar lake. No other sanctuary provides such a good view of tigers in broad daylight. Panthers are also a part of this forest, but are mostly found on the outskirts of the park, mainly at Kachida valley. This is due to the unavoidable fights with the tigers here. Sambars, which are in a large number here are the main prey for the predators. Marsh crocodiles, hyenas, jungle cats, sloth bears, chital, nilgai and chinkara are also residents of this forest. Black storks, quails, Bonelli's eagles, spur fowls, crested serpent eagles and painted storks is the avifauna of the forests. Many birds especially a variety of ducks migrate to this park during winters.

» Ranthambhor National Park
Situated in Eastern Rajasthan, where the Aravali Hill ranges and the Vindhyan plateau meet, the Ranthambhore National Park was once the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Jaipur. The rivers Chambal in the South and Banas in the North bound the Ranthambore National Park. Six man made lakes are the central focus of the park and many perennial streams criss-cross the entire park. The Ranthambore National Park has internal drainage and has no link up with any river system, even though two rivers bound the Park in it’s north and south side.

Ranthambore National Park is famous for its Tigers and is a favorite with photographers. For a relatively small area, the park has a rich diversity of fauna and flora - species list includes 300 trees, 50 aquatic plants, 272 birds, 12 reptiles including the Marsh Crocodile & amphibians and 30 mammals. Apart from tigers, the park has its share of panthers, too. They are to be found on the outskirts of the park, due to the inevitable conflicts with the tiger population.

Kachida Valley is believed to be the place to sight these rather elusive cats. The other permanent residents of the park include marsh crocodiles, hyenas, jungle cats and sloth bears. Sambars are found in abundance all over the area, the prime target of all the predators. The avian population comprises of about 264 species, found within the park.

Ranthambore wildlife sanctuary today offers an intense diversity of flora and fauna. Tigers, the park's pride makes it one of the best places in the country to observe them. Apart from that a large numbers of Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Gazzelle, Boars, Mongoose, Indian Hare, Monitor Lizards and a large number of birds.

Shopping in Ranthambore

The place is famous for “khus” perfumes and other objects made of “khus” including fans, small boxes and caps etc.

Places to Stay in Ranthambore

RTDC Jhoomar Baori Forest Lodge, RTDC Hotel Kamdhenu, Maharaja Lodge (Taj Group), Sawai Madhopur Lodge, PWD Rest House, and Jogi Mahal which lies within the park premises, are some of the available means of accomodation.

How to get there

» Air
Jaipur (145 km) is the nearest airport.

» Rail
The Park is around 11 km away from Sawai Madhopur railway station, that lies on the Delhi to Bombay trunk route.

» Road
A good network of buses connect Sawai Madhopur, the nearest town, with quite a few areas around.