Ranthambore National Park
Earlier
the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Jaipur, the Park at Ranthambore 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.
Tigers can be spotted quit 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 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 forests 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, jungle cats, sloth bear and marsh crocodile. Jacanas. painted sto-k.
hiaci-. 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.
The Park which covers an area of 392 sq. km. is set between the Aravalli and
Vindhya ranges. 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 verfteys 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.
General Information :
Best Time to Visit :
October to June.
Nearest Town :
Sawai Madhopur (11 km)
How to Get Here :
Air: Jaipur (145 km)
Rail: Sawai Madhopur (11 km)
Jungle
Resorts In Ranthambore :
»
The Sawai Madhopur Lodge
» Vanya Vilas
