'' Ranthambore National Park is one of the most popular national parks in India and is world famous as one of the best places in the world to see a tiger in the wild.
In 1972, the commencement of Project Tiger took place. Ranthambore received the status of a national park in the year 1980. At this point of time, Ranthambore National Park was conferred the status of a tiger reserve in the country. It is spread on an area of 1,334 square kilometers along with its neighboring sanctuaries- the Kaila Devi Sanctuary and the Mansingh Sanctuary.
Ranthambore is famous for its tigers, whose population it seeks to increase and sustain.
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Ranthambore National Park, an eminent Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger, nestles at the foothills of Aravalli Ranges. Ranthambore beautifully blend the Rajput heroism with panoramic natural splendor and makes it a prefect tourist destination.
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.
The park’s topography varies from secure forests to open scrublands. Vegetation is of the dry deciduous type, with dhok being the most prominent tree. Ranthambore’s water bodies are known to have lovely lotus flowers and water liis situated. Among the park’s other oddities is the forest rest house, Jogi Mahal, the premises of which sports the second largest banyan tree in India.
There are about 264 species of birds 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.
Park Visitation Timings
1) Between October To March: 6.00 am - 9.00 am & 3.00 pm - 6.00 pm
2) Between April To June: 6.30 am - to 9.30 am & 3.30 pm - 6.00 pm
Best Time to Visit Ranthambore National Park
The best visiting season of Ranthambore national park is during the months of October - March and April to June.
How to Reach there
Air: Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is the nearest airport to Ranthambore. Ranthambore National Park is about 140 Km from Jaipur. You can fly to Jaipur and proceed to Sawai Madhopur by road or rail.
Rail: Sawai Madhopur which is just 11 Km from Ranthambore National Park is accessible by rail and is on the main trunk route from Delhi to Mumbai. You can arrive at Sawai Madhopur by rail and take a car or bus to Ranthambore National Park .
Road: A good network of state transport buses connects Sawai Madhopur with destinations across the state.