This park is today world-renowned as simply the finest location for watching tigers up-close. It was included in 'Project Tiger' in the very first phase as early as 1973. Being close to the golden tourist triangle of 'Delhi-Agra-Jaipur', it soon shot into prominence.

Prior to the protection offered by inclusion in 'Project Tiger', Ranthambhore was one of the many princely game reserves in the country, where the celebrated Royal Indian Tiger was barely alive - being decimated by the severe hunting pressure, as also due to loss of its habitat to timber mafia and sustained urbanisation activities. Project Tiger retrieved the situation considerably.

In the early 90s Ranthambore suffered a shocking setback when it was discovered following a census that many tigers were lost due to extensive poaching activity that somehow became rampant in spite of the protection offered by Project Tiger. However, thanks to the remedial measures taken subsequently, today the tiger is thriving very well at Ranthambore - making it perhaps the best location worldwide (along with Bandhavgarh) for close range observation of the Indian tiger.

Around 1955, much before its induction into Project Tiger, Ranthambore was known as Sawai Madhopur Wildlife Sanctuary - nowhere as well-known as it is today ! The present-day national park, covering approximately 392 sq kms, is about 15 km east of Sawai Madhopur township. The Ranthambore Tiger Reserve comprises the National Park, Sawai Man Singh sanctuary, Keoladevi Sanctuary and the adjoining reserve forest area. Some of the major area measurements of the tiger reserve are as follows:

Total Area 1334 sq. Kms.
Core Zone (National Park) 274.50sq.Km.
Buffer Zone 118.0 sq.Km.
Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary 127.60 sq.Km.
Keoladevi Sanctuary 674.00 sq.Km.
Reserve Forest Area 140.54 sq. Km.

The forest type is tropical dry deciduous & dry thorn. It is further classified as 'Dhok' forest. The indicative fauna of the park comprise Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Hyena, Caracal, Ratel, sambar, Chinkara, Crocodiles, etc. The Reserve is rich in avifauna, and has a checklist of more than 256 species, including a variety of raptors, water birds and gallinaceous species. The lakes dotting the forest abound in aquatic vegetation including duckweeds, lilies and lotus.

Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve lies at the junction of Aravali and Vindhyan ranges, sprawling 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. A thousand-year-old fort also blends majestically 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 Talao (meaning Lake), Malik Talao and Raj Bagh Talao – are like turquoises studded in the vast and vibrant forest.

The most fascinating and most popular excursion taken from the national park is to the Ranthambore Fort. The Chauhans built this fort in the 10th century. The fort is located at a very strategic position between north and central India and hence many rulers always coveted it. This fort is famous for the 'Johar' (suicide by immolation to escape humiliation) by Rajput women in 1301AD during the siege by Ala-ud-din Khilji. The temples and tanks add to the beauty of the fort. The seven gates and massive curtain walls, crowning a fall-topped hill presents a majestic view.

Its deciduous forests were once a part of the magnificent jungles of Central India. The terrain is rugged and there are rocky ridges, hills and open valleys with lakes and pools.

Ranthambore's royal past manifests itself in the picturesque ruins that dot the Park. There are Lake Palaces, chhatris, old fortifications and a majestic thousand-year-old fort on a height overlooking the park. The forest rest house at the foot of the Ranthambore fort is located in the lovely Jogi Mahal. It overlooks a tank -the pretty Padam Talao, afloat with water lilies.

Ranthambore is a heritage site because of the picturesque ruins that dot the park. There are Lake Palaces, 'chhatris', old fortifications and a majestic 1,000-year-old fort, overlooking the park. The lovely Jogi Mahal is located at the foot of the fort and gives magnificent view of the Padam Talao, painted white with water lilies. 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. Ranthambore is one of the best places to see these majestic predators.

Located in the fort is the Temple of Lord Ganesha, the Elephant-headed god of wisdom and good omen. It is visited by hundreds of devotee’s on particular days of the week, and the pilgrim influx reaches a crescendo on the day of the Hindu festival of Ganesha Charurthi. It is indeed an interesting fact that this sacred shire has a huge mail following - all mainly invitations to the presiding deity to be the first guest at the weddings in the various households of Rajasthan far and wide. The legends has it that Lord Ganesha does in fact respond to these invitations with his blessings.

The Field director is the overall incharge of the area. The Reserve area is divided into two parts/divisions, core area and buffer area. These divisions are managed by two deputy Field Directors.

Animal Sightings

Today, it is famous for its tigers and is one of the best places in the country to see these majestic predators in the wild. The tigers can be spotted quite often even during the day, at their normal pursuits - hunting and taking care of their young. With the strict measures that have been taken for their conservation, they seem quite accustomed to human activity and are not disturbed by it. A good time to visit is between November and April when the nature of the dry deciduous forest makes sightings common.

Ranthambore has large numbers of Sambar, chital and nilgai. Sounders of boar and an occasional gazelle - the chinkara can be seen, as also the Indian hare, mongoose and monitor lizards. The lakes and pools at the Park are where the deer congregate and where it is easiest to see the animals. Among the other local fauna are the leopard, hyena, jackal, and jungle cats, sloth bear and marsh crocodile.

Jacanas, painted stork, black stork, and white-necked stork are seen along the water bodies. Peafowl are found in abundance and other birds include Bonelli's eagle, crested serpent eagle, the great Indian horned owl, quail, partridge, spur fowl and the paradise flycatcher.

Best Time of the Year for Safaris

March-April is considered by far the best period of the year when the chances of sighting tigers are generally believed to be very good. During this period weather too is quite moderate, and though it is still pleasant, one does not require any warm clothing at all.

The Safaris

All safaris at Ranthambore Park are conducted either in four-wheel Gypsy Jeeps (from individuals or smaller groups) or in open type Diesel Canter (for bigger families and groups)

All safari jeeps and canter carrying tourists to the park are allotted a prefixed route for each entrance. This route needs to be completed in the ususal three-hour period, and one is NOT allowed to wander off this allotted route - even if one is in know of the fact the tiger(s) have indeed been sighted in some other part(s) of the park.

Travelling to Ranthambore

This wildlife paradise is easily approachable both by Rail (132 km) and Road (180 km) from Jaipur, Delhi, Agra (via Bharatpur) and many other important places in northern and western India. Sawai Madhopur is on the main line connecting Mumbai and Delhi, providing a great variety of road railway services.

From Delhi the 435 km drive to Sawai Madhopur via Jaipur takes about nine hours. From Jaipur one may either take the road to Sawai Madhopur via Dausa (bypassing Jaipur city) or the one via Tonk (after crossing through Jaipur city). The Dousa route is about 20 km shorter. There are enough fuel stations throughout the Delhi-Jaipaur-Sawai Madhopur stretch. However, after Delhi, high octane 'speed' or 'power' petrol is available only in Jaipur, and NOT all along the highway.

Park Rules - Dos & Donts

1. Your safari vehicle is allotted a fixed route number, and you are NOT allowed to deviate from this route, even if tiger has been sighted in some other part of the park. Alighting from the vehicle is strictly forbidden, as is 'speeding'. Your vehicle must get out of the park latest by the fixed time, i.e, 10.30 a.m. in the mornings & 06.30 p.m. in the evenings. Please note that the animals always have the right of way in the park. Park timings differ in summer and winter months.

2. Carrying of fire arms in the park is prohibited, as is possession of radios & music players etc. Smoking is prohibited too, as it is a sure fire hazard. Throwing litter around in the park is penalized. Please use garbage bag, and take it out in your jeep.

3. Fee for professionl filming (that is shooting 'movies' on celluloid or video media) can be exorbitant. Please ensure this amount and pay it to your tour operator in adavance of your park entry !

4. Use of camera flash light is not allowed.

5. Visitors are strictly forbidden from picking up any article from the park, e.g., cast-off antlers, skin-moults and any other animals or animal products etc.

Recommendations for a Ranthambore visit

1. Travel light. In the best period (March, April) only light and comfortable cotton clothing is required. Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are all similarly equally warm during March/April - though still comfortable and quite bearable. One needs to be wearing only muted, non-reflective, pastel-shades for park safaris.

2. A hat, a torch, small binoculars, your routine medications (if any), and utmost care & safety of your personal, financial, travel documents and expensive personal items (jewellery and photographic equipment) are the routine recommendations for travellers worldwide.

3. If time allows, it is an earnest recommendation that you get your trip insured. As for your destination, at the time of this website update (5th April, 2003) India is as safe as it ever was. Please contact us in case you need safety information etc. for a substantially different period.