Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary
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
o verlooks 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 There
Air: Jaipur (145 km)
Rail: Sawai Madhopur (11 km)
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