Complete Guide to Ranthambore
Ranthambore National Park is one of the largest national parks in northern India. It is situated in Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, about 110 km north east of Kota and 130 km south east of Jaipur, which is also the nearest airport. The nearest town and railway station is at Sawai Madhopur, about 11 km away and Kota is another convenient Station as all the train stops at Kota which is 110 km from Ranthambore. RIDCOR operates a mega highway between Kota to Ranthambore.
Ranthambore was established as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 by the Government of India, and was declared one of the Project Tiger reserves in 1973. Ranthambore became a national park in 1980. In 1984, the adjacent forests were declared the Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary and Keladevi Sanctuary, and in 1991 the tiger reserve was enlarged to include Sawai Man Singh and Keladevi sanctuaries. Ranthambore wildlife sanctuary is known for its tigers and is one of the best places in India to see these majestic predators in the jungle. Tigers can be easily spotted even during the day time. A good time to visit Ranthambore National Park is in November and May when the nature of the dry deciduous forests makes sightings common. Its deciduous forests were once a part of the magnificent jungles of Central India.
Flora and fauna
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, and 272 birds, 12 reptiles including the Marsh Crocodile & amphibians and 30 mammals. For the wildlife savvy, Ranthambore wildlife sanctuary today offers an intense diversity of flora and fauna. Tigers, the park's pride make 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.
The landscape is dotted with ancient Banyan Trees, Dhok & Pipal trees, clusters of mango trees and crisscrossed with evergreen belts. The terrain is made up of massive rock formations, steep scarps, perennial lakes and streams and forest suddenly opening up into large areas of Savannah. The terrain of Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary fluctuates between impregnable forests and open bush land. The forest is the typically dry deciduous type, with Dhok, being the most prominent tree.
Fees/Permits
At the entrance to the park you will have to pay ONLY for usage of your video-camera. Photo-cameras are used free of charge. There are only 2 safari visiting hours per day. Self-travelers are recommended to book their canters or gypsy for zone 1, 2 or 3 at 5 am for 6 am safari or 12.30 for 2.30 pm safari from Project Tiger Booking Office opposite New ST Stand at start point of most resorts on Ranthambore road. Zone Allotments are computerized and random based on the Reserve Management. The PTBO is generally crowded with agents but self-travelers and groups have special window for canter booking and drivers themselves arrange the guides who take extra payment as 'fees' from canter passengers. Foreigners booking self at PTBO are required to show their passports.
Ranthambore was established as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 by the Government of India, and was declared one of the Project Tiger reserves in 1973. Ranthambore became a national park in 1980. In 1984, the adjacent forests were declared the Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary and Keladevi Sanctuary, and in 1991 the tiger reserve was enlarged to include Sawai Man Singh and Keladevi sanctuaries. Ranthambore wildlife sanctuary is known for its tigers and is one of the best places in India to see these majestic predators in the jungle. Tigers can be easily spotted even during the day time. A good time to visit Ranthambore National Park is in November and May when the nature of the dry deciduous forests makes sightings common. Its deciduous forests were once a part of the magnificent jungles of Central India.
Flora and fauna
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, and 272 birds, 12 reptiles including the Marsh Crocodile & amphibians and 30 mammals. For the wildlife savvy, Ranthambore wildlife sanctuary today offers an intense diversity of flora and fauna. Tigers, the park's pride make 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.
The landscape is dotted with ancient Banyan Trees, Dhok & Pipal trees, clusters of mango trees and crisscrossed with evergreen belts. The terrain is made up of massive rock formations, steep scarps, perennial lakes and streams and forest suddenly opening up into large areas of Savannah. The terrain of Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary fluctuates between impregnable forests and open bush land. The forest is the typically dry deciduous type, with Dhok, being the most prominent tree.
Fees/Permits
At the entrance to the park you will have to pay ONLY for usage of your video-camera. Photo-cameras are used free of charge. There are only 2 safari visiting hours per day. Self-travelers are recommended to book their canters or gypsy for zone 1, 2 or 3 at 5 am for 6 am safari or 12.30 for 2.30 pm safari from Project Tiger Booking Office opposite New ST Stand at start point of most resorts on Ranthambore road. Zone Allotments are computerized and random based on the Reserve Management. The PTBO is generally crowded with agents but self-travelers and groups have special window for canter booking and drivers themselves arrange the guides who take extra payment as 'fees' from canter passengers. Foreigners booking self at PTBO are required to show their passports.
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