Ranthambore National Park
It is hailed as one of India's finest wildlife destinations. Earlier the hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Jaipur, the park at Ranthambhore was once the scene of royal hunting parties. 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 Park covers an area of nearly 400 sq. km. and is set between the Aravali and Vindhya ranges. Its deciduous forests were once a part of the magnificent jungles of Central India. Ranthambore National Park is in Sawai Madhopur District of Rajasthan state. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and in 1974 it gained the protection of "Project Tiger". It got its status of a National Park in 1981. Ranthambore National Park is dotted with structures that remind you of bygone eras.There are many water bodies located all over the park, which provide perfect relief during the extremely hot summer months for the forest inhabitants. A huge fort, after which the park is named, towers over the park atop a hill. There are many ruins of bygone eras scattered all over the jungle, which give it a unique, wonderful and mixed flavour of nature, history and wildlife. Tigers at Ranthambore National park have been known to even hunt in full view of human visitors. These tigers are famous for being seen in the daytime too, due to their lack of fear of human presence in vehicles. This lack of fear of humans is excellent for tourists, as they get to see the tigers often. This National park is a wildlife enthusiast and photographer's dream. It offers excellent internal transportation facilities. The park remains open every year from October to May. Famous for the exciting and frequent tiger sightings captured dramatically in several books, this park is today affected by ecological pressures and poaching.
Season & Climate
Cold: October to March (Min less than 10 degrees Celsius) good animal sightings. Best time for bird watching.
Warm: April to June (Max 40 degrees Celsius ) excellent animal sightings.
Wet: July to September (National Park is closed)
Season: 01st October - 30th June
Attractions of Ranthambhore National Park
Ranthambhore National Park: It is hailed as one of India's finest wildlife destinations. Earlier the hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Jaipur, the park at Ranthambhore was once the scene of royal hunting parties. 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 Park covers an area of nearly 400 sq. km. and is set between the Aravali and Vindhya ranges. Its deciduous forests were once a part of the magnificent jungles of Central India.
Ranthambhore Fort: The Fort is a massive enclave and quite high. Mughal Emperor Shah Alam gifted it to Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur in 1754 AD and since then it was maintained as the private hunting preserve. Much later, Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh were part of the Royal Hunting, who stayed here too. It’s a unique Rajput Fort. Archeological Department took it in 1964. It is 1578 ft from the sea level and 750ft from ground. Total area of the fort is about 7 miles. There is no drive way up to the fort, just the stairs. There are three big artificial lakes up in the Fort.
Jogi Mahal: Jogi Mahal is a forest rent house, some 250 years old, and commands the view of Padam Talao or the lotus lake on one side and the ramparts of Ranthambhore Fort. Adjacent to it is one of India’s largest banyan trees, fondly known as `walking tree’ because over the years it has sent out so many branches thereby increasing its shade area. This rest house was closed to the public in 1992.
Padam Lake: This is the largest of the lakes present in the park. The famous and beautiful Jogi Mahal is located at the very edge of this lake. When in season, the water lilies that give the lake its name can be seen in plenty. In the early hours of the morning and just before sunset, animals can be seen in large numbers on the lake side. It is in the shallow waters of this lake that the famous "lake hunters" of Ranthambore operate, the most legendary of which was the tiger, Genghis. It is also along this lake's edges that the rare sighting of the chinkara is most probable.
Gilai Sagar: This lake attracts thousands of migratory birds during winter and is especially exciting for bird-watchers. In these areas you can even find a herd of black buck, the rarely seen antelope of this arid region.
Rajbagh: This is probably the most picturesque of the three lakes, carpeted with lotus flowers and is filled with lotus-eaters; Rajbagh Lake has the highest density of sambar deer and marsh crocodile. The back pools and like little nurseries for chital and sambar whose young ones can be found here in large numbers .The areas around the Rajbagh Lake are also prime tiger spotting areas due to the kind of forest and it's accessibility to water sources.
Malik Lake: This is the smallest of the three lakes in Ranthambore National Park. But, as they say, all the best things come in small packages. This definitely holds true for Malik Lake. It is an area full of concentrated action all the time. It always seems to have a healthy population of birds of all kinds. Also seen at the lake very clearly and from a reasonably close distance are the Indian Marsh Crocodiles. It is quite common here to be able to watch a kingfisher on a hunt for small fish.
Highest Point: This point gives you a virtual `aerial’ view of the Park and is well worth the time it takes getting there. You can see the dramatic hill ranges of the Aravallis and the Vindhyas from here.
Sultanpur Ki Kui: This is a lovely road full of tendu trees and is one of the most scenic drives in the Park. In the fruiting season of the tendu in March, the sloth bears of Ranthambhore feast along this road.
Fort fo Khandar: On the far side of the Reserve is well worth a visit. This imposing fort commands a stunning view of the area.
Kachida Valley: This valley, which consists of many rocky outcrops and low hills, is located close to the outskirts of the park. A jeep would be the ideal mode of transport when trying to visit this area. This area contains a majority of the Panther population of the park. The panthers avoid venturing into the main jungle to avoid conflicts with tigers, which are known to kill them. This area also has a good population of bears.
These areas located in the North-Western and Northern regions of the park are ideal locations to visit if looking for Sloth Bears. These areas have a lot of ant hills, which are a favorite of the bears. Although very rarely seen themselves, the pugmarks of the Indian striped Hyenas are often seen here. Their numbers are not very large in the park.
Jungle Safaris
The three major lakes, Rajbaugh, Milak talao and Padam talao attract a variety of migratory birds. The lakes are covered with pink lotuses on which the sambar deer often feed. The grassy edges are frequented by chitals, wild boars and other ungulates. The Marsh crocodiles bask on the shores, the Tigers are often on the prowl at the peripheries. The park is studded with small covered pavilions, ancient summer palaces and crumbling guard posts that bear mute testimony of Rajput Kingdoms and battles long forgotten. Imposingly looming above the National park is the Ranthambhore Fort, in itself a major tourist attraction. The other animals which you are sure to encounter are Leopard, sloth beer, Marsh Crocodile, sambar, Chital, Nilgai (blue bull), Wild boar, Chinkara, Jackals, Hyena, Peafowl, Tree Pies, Parakeets, Robins, Painted storks, Sandpipers, and Plovers. In all there are over 300 species of birds.
Park Visiting Timings
| Oct 1 – Oct 31 | 6.30am-10.00amand 2.30pm-6.00pm |
| Nov 1 – Jan 31 | 7.00am-10.30amand 2.00pm-5.30pm |
| Feb 1 – Mar 31 | 6.30am-10.00am and 2.30pm-6.00pm |
| Apr 1– May 15 | 6.00am- 9.30amand 3.00pm-6.30pm |
| May 16 – Jun 30 | 6.00am- 9.30am and 3.30pm-7.00pm |
| July 1 – Sep 30 | Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve CLOSED |
Please let us know, if you would like the lodge to organize a jungle safari for your visit to the Park, since a 60-day notice period is required as per the forest office regulations. Please indicate the number of jungle drives you would wish to reserve and whether the preference is for morning and/or afternoon drives. The Park restricts the number of vehicle entering, and bookings are therefore subject to availability. Given the date of arrival, however the hotel will make every effort to reserve a jungle safari.
Hotel Green Valley
