Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore National Park is famous for its Tigers. It is ironical then that it was once a hunting ground for the Maharajah of Jaipur. In 1955, it was declared a game sanctuary and was subsequently rescued under Project Tiger. It wasn't until 1980 that Ranthambore was declared a National Park.

Ranthambore is surrounded by the Vindhya and Aravali hill ranges and is very close to the outer fringes of the Thar Desert. Its deciduous forests spread over a terrain that is rugged with rocks, ridges, lakes and pools. Amidst the greenery, the landscape is dotted with ruins of palaces, remnants of ramparts and the famous Ranthambore Fort. A looming majestic 1,000-year-old Fort, it was built during the Chauhan dynasty and commanded a very strategic purpose. Today, it makes for a thrilling excursion, as Tigers are known to prowl about the ruins.

Ranthambore is also the abode of other wildlife like the Antelope, Nilgai, Sambhar, Chital, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Chinkara, Porcupine, Jackal, Leopard, Jungle Cat and marsh Crocodile. Its watering holes also play host to species of both resident and migratory birds.

Topography
Ranthambore National Park sprawls over an estimated area of 400 sq kms. Steep crags embrace a network of lakes and rivers, and a top one of these hills, is the impressive Ranthambore Fort, built in the 10th century. The terrain fluctuates between impregnable forests and open bushland. The forest is the typically dry deciduous type, with dhok, being the most prominent tree. The entry point to the Ranthambore National Park, goes straight to the foot of the fort and the forest rest house, Jogi Mahal. The latter boasts of the second-largest banyan tree in India.
Major Wildlife Attraction
It has the highest density of tigers of any reserve in India and is distinguished as the discovering land of the famous white tiger of Rewa.The prime group of the mammal community includes of langurs and rhesus macaque. The jackal, bangal fox, bears, mongoose, hyena, jungle cat, leopard and tiger are the other prominent members. On the other hand, commonly viewable animals are wild pig, spotted deer, sambar, dhole, the small Indian civet, palm squirrel and lesser bandicoot rat.

Access
The best way of getting to the park is by taking a train to Sawai Madhopur, which falls on the main Delhi - Mumbai route. It is also directly connected with Jaipur, Chennai and Howrah.The nearest airport is Jaipur, which is 132 km away.Jaipur is connected to Sawai Madhopur by train as well as by bus. Many private taxi operators also ply on this route.

Best time to visit
October-June, the best period being December-April.