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Ranthambore National Park
Contents
- Star Attraction
- Overview
- History
- [+] Quick Facts
- [+] Ecosystem
- [+] Planning Your Trip
- Did You Know?
- [+] Getting There
- Nearby Destinations
- Park Rules & Regulations
- In the News
[ Edit ] Star Attraction
Tigers and the huge hilltop fort after which the Ranthambore National Park is named.
[ Edit ] Overview
Ranthambore National Park was named after the famed Ranthambore Fort, which lies within its borders. Set between the Aravali and Vindhya ranges, with plateaus, cliffs / sharp ridges, boulder filled gorges, lakes, jungle lakes, hill top fort, and a rich collection of wildlife, including the `friendly' tigers, have made Ranthambore one of India's most popular National Parks and one of the most documented wildlife reserves in the world.
Ranthambhore National Park is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan. The 392 km park is famous for its resident tiger population and is one of India's parks participating in the Project Tiger program. Other animals in the park include the leopard, wild pig, sambar, chital, nilgai, and dhole. Ranthambore National Park is also home to wide variety of trees, plants, birds and reptiles and what is thought to be India’s largest banyan tree.
The park is bordered by two rivers – the Banas River in the North and the Chambal River in the south – and includes several lakes within its borders. The total area of the Ranthambore National Park including the adjoining sanctuaries - the Kaila Devi Sanctuary and the Mansingh Sanctuary – is in excess of 1,300 sq km.
[ Edit ] History
During the 19th century, the forests of Ranthambhore were the private and exclusive hunting reserves of the Jaipur and Karauli Royal families - managed by the Shikar Khana Department (Hunting Department) of the state. Ranthambore National Park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and and became a National Park in 1981.
With it's tiger population rapidly declining, Ranthambore bacame part of the Project Tiger program in 1974, there were 16 villages inside the sanctuary. However, between 1976 and 1979, 12 of these villages were shifted outside the sanctuary. By 2002, the tiger population had gradually recovered and in 2002 the Park boasted of nearly 40 tigers, a density of nearly 10 tigers per 100 square k.m. - which is one of the highest in the world. However, the 2003 / 2004 census showed a dramatic reduction due to poaching - down to only 26 tigers in the national park.
Numerous measures were taken to put the spotlight on the issue with increased forest and the police department protection around the the Tiger Reserve. The census conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India in 2006 / 2007 showed the population at Ranthambhore National Park to have modestly bounced back to 31 tigers.
Quick Facts
[ Edit ] State
Rajasthan, India
[ Edit ] Location
Ranthambore is located at the junction of the Vindhya and Aravalli ranges in southeaster Rajasthan and about 15 km west of Sawai Madhopur.
[ Edit ] Best Time to Visit
Ranthambhore National Park is open for visitors between October and June.
Summers are very hot and highly uncomfortable. However, given that animals gather at waterholes, there’s greater chance of seeing wildlife in May or June.
The best and most comfortable time to visit Ranthambore is between December and April.
[ Edit ] STD Code
07462
Ecosystem
[ Edit ] Geography
The park is bordered by two rivers – the Banas River in the North and the Chambal River in the south – and includes several lakes within its borders. The terrain of the park is filled with plateaus, cliffs / sharp ridges, boulder filled gorges, lakes, and jungle lakes.
Area: 392 sq kms. Including the adjoining sanctuaries - the Kaila Devi Sanctuary and the Mansingh Sanctuary – the total area of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is in excess of 1,300 sq kms.
Altitude: 215 - 505meters
[ Edit ] Wildlife
In addition to the Tigers for which the Ranthambore is famous for, the park also includes, Leopards, Striped Hyenas, Sambar Deer, Chital, Nilgai, Common or Hanuman langurs, Macaques, Jackals, Jungle Cats, Sloth bears, Black bucks, Wild Boar, Porcupines, Civets, Foxes, Hedgehogs, and numerous species of Bats.
Ranthambore is also an attractive home for 272 species of resident and migratory birds. Notable birds in Ranthambore include the Graylag Goose, Gray Hornbills, Kingfishers, Pelicans, Sandpipers, Gulls, Cuckoos, Asian Palm Swift, Owl, Nightjars, Parakeets, Crakes, Snipes, Eagles, Falcons, and the Great Crested Grebe among others.
[ Edit ] Flora
The vegetation in the park is dense tropical dry forest interspersed with open bushland. There are nearly 300 different species of vegetation with the Dhok tree providing the most cover in the park.
[ Edit ] Climate
Summer (April to June): Temperature ranges from 30C / 86F to 44C / 111F
Winter (October to March): Temperature ranges from 8C / 46F to 22C / 76F
Monsoon (July to September): Hot and humid with intermittent rains. Park is closed during this season.
Planning Your Trip
[ Edit ] Operating Hours & Season
Ranthambhore National Park is open for visitors between October and June.
Timings:
Summer
- 6:30 am to 9:30 am,
- 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm
Winter
- 7:30 am to 10:30 am,
- 3 pm to 5:30 pm
[ Edit ] Fees
Fees for Ranthambore National Park
- Indians: Rs 25
- Foreigners: Rs 200
- Camera: Rs.__
- Video Camera: Rs.__
- Elephant Safari: Rs __ per person
- Van / Jeep Safari: Rs ___ per person
[ Edit ] Activities in Park
Wildlife, Heritage sites, and Hiking up to Ranthambore Fort.
[ Edit ] Visiting the Park
The forest in the park is dry and open with limited and short ground cover - resulting from Ranthambhore's unique climate and vegetation conditions. As a result, it is one of the easier National Parks in India in which to spot animals and birds. Project Tiger has helped reduce damage and controlled the impact of humans on the park including reduced poaching, deforestation, farming and construction activities inside the core park areas. However, in the adjacent parks where there is less control, wildlife (certainly tigers) have suffered.
Some of the best bird watching spots in the park include the following: Malik Talao,, Rajbagh Talao, Padam Talao and the Jhalra area. Surwal Lake is an especially interesting place to spot migratory birds in season. Given that the lake dries up in the summer, it is best to time your trip for the monsoons or winter.
The range of activities inside Ranthambore include guided safaris, walks (particularly in the associated Kaila Devi Sanctuary and the Mansingh Sanctuary), heritage monuments, and temples, bird watching, and visits to small / rural villages.
Walking inside the core park is substantially limited to the climb up to Ranthambore Fort. Safaris are only possible in Forest Department managed Jeeps (that can seat up to 6 visitors) and “Canters” (safari buses that can seat up to 20 visitors). Only a maximum of 40 vehicles are permitted into the park during each safari time slot. Given the limited numbers, it is advisable to book a safari in advance. Your hotel / lodge will be able to help you with this. There are 5 different zones in the park and it is only possible to see one zone during each safari. A copy of your photo ID is required to be submitted for Indian and Foreign nationals in order enter the park. Also, please note that if you intend to do multiple safaris (see more Zones), you will need to submit a copy of your ID each time – so please carry multiple photocopies.
Ranthambore Fort
Standing in the middle of the National Park, the 1,000+ year old Ranthambore Fort is believed to be among the oldest forts built in India and the park is named after it. The fort itself got its name from two hills - Thanbhor on which the fort is located, and Ran a nearby hill. Built by Chauhan King around 944 AD, it is located on a hilltop 700 feet above the surrounding forest, it offers spectacular views of the National Park. There were known settlements prior to the founding of the fort dating back to the 8th century.
Given its strategic location in central India, many wars were fought for its control. However, given its structure and forest / hilltop location, it was a relatively impregnable fort to overthrow. Kutub-ud-din (1209), Allaudin Khilji (1301), Feroz Tughlaq (1325) and Bahadur Shah of Gujarat (1530) were all unsuccessful in their assaults of the fort. The Mughals were finally successful in taking control of the fort. It is believed that a 1,000+ women committed Sati (the practice of self-immolation / suicide) when the fort was finally conquered in the 1500’s.
In the 19th century, Ranthambore Fort was gifted to the Maharaja of Jaipur by the Mughals. The fort then remained with the Royal Family of Jaipur and forests served as their exclusive hunting reserve.
The fort is impressive in its proportions – the fort walls are 7km in circumference and the area inside the fort is 4.5 sq km. The only way to get up to the fort is a walk up a long flight of stairs from the bottom of the hill. It generally takes about 20 minutes to make it to the top. In addition to tourists, the fort attracts pilgrims given the numerous temples that are inside the complex – the most popular of which is the Lord Ganesha temple. It is recommended to carry binoculars with you to the top given that it is often possible to spot animals in the park below. In winters, animals, particularly leopards, can occasionally be seen sunning themselves on the ramparts of the fort
Jogi Mahal
The Jogi Mahal was used as a royal Forest Guest House and overlooks the Padam Talab – the largest lake within Ranthambore National Park. It was possible to for visitors to stay at this Guest House. While the facilities were basic, what made Jogi Mahal famous were the numerous tiger sightings that were reported here. However, it is no longer used as a Guest House given an unfortunate poaching incident that took place here a few years ago. While it is still possible to visit Jogi Mahal, it is no longer possible to spend the night there. At this point in time, the timing of re-opening of Jogi Mahal to guests is not known. Fateh Singh Rathore, the noted Conservationist and one time Warden of Ranthambore National Park stayed at Jogi Mahal for a few years when he was doing his long term study on tigers.
Jogi Mahal is also famous for what is reputedly the 2nd largest Banyan Tree in the world.
[ Edit ] Lodging inside Park
[ Edit ] Did You Know?
- The Tiger population at Ranthambore National Park stood at a disappointingly low 26 in 2005, down from 44 in 1982 due to poaching and other inefficiencies. With a series of concerted efforts by the Indian Government, the population is believed to be back at 34 in 2008, including 14 cubs.
- Sawai Madhopur, the gateway into Ranthambore National Park, is famous for it's Guavas, These guavas are known as "Madhopur Guavas" in Rajasthan.
Getting There
[ Edit ] Air
Jaipur and Delhi are both convenient airports for access to Ranthambore National Park.
[ Edit ] Rail
The nearest railway station to the Ranthambhore is at Sawai Madhopur 15 km away. Take the Dehra Dun Express in and then catch a cab to the Park.
[ Edit ] Road
Access to the Park is the town of Sawai Madhopur which is 12 kms from the Park's entrance.
Driving distances to Ranthambore National Park:
[ Edit ] Nearby Destinations
[ Edit ] Park Rules & Regulations
[ Edit ] In the News
Recent News
Forest Minister to set an Agenda for Protecting Tigers in Ranthambore National Park
Closed for Monsoon, Ranthambore National Park gives Red Carpet Welcome to Passengers of Luxury Train
T- 12, Male Tiger Shifts from Ranthambore National Park to Sariska National Park
Local Women Help in Tiger Conservation in Ranthambore National Park
Territorial Fight Claims a 3 Year Old Tigress
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