General Information About Ranthambore National Park


Ranthambore National Park, situated in the south-eastern part of Rajasthan, India is spread in the humongous expanse of 392 kms square area; making it one of the largest National Parks in the northern India. Ranthambore National Park is located in the eastern rajasthan, 14 kms from Sawai Madhopur district. Two major cities of Rajasthan, viz. Kota and Jaipur lie at distances of 110 and 160 kms northeast and southeast to it respectively; making it the nearest airport from the park.

The National Park gets its name from the famous fort of Ranthambore which lies within its province. Ranthambore has a rich history of being the private hunting grounds for Sawai Mansingh, the Maharaja of Jaipur. It was in 1955 that Ranthambore was acknowledged by the Indian government as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary. In the year 1973 it was declared a Tiger Reserve. However, it earned the title of a National Park only in the year 1980. 1991 marked the year when the surrounding Sawai Mansingh and Keoladevi Sanctuaries were also assimilated in the park. This was encapsulated with the Chambal river in the South and Banas in the North.

Enveloped by the hill ranges of Aravalis and Vindhyas it provides a beautiful and serene environment for the wildlife to thrive in peace. The hilly terrain confines water to a handful of lakes and narrow valleys. The plants growing in the region are dry deciduous type, tropical and mostly with tropical spikes. The deep woods extending an area over 392 kms sq., is dotted with breath-taking canals and waterfalls. The lakes render a calm and a magnificent appeal to it. Some of these lakes in the park are great places to spot the rich wildlife. These are the Padam Talab, the Malik talab and the Raj Bagh Talab. This jungle perhaps is the best place in the world for photography enthusiasts who are interested to shoot the tigers with their cameras. The tigers are quite easily spotted in their only natural dry and deciduous habitat.


Climate at Ranthambore National Park


The summers are quite unbearable. The days are extremely hot and dry and temperature can soar, reaching as high as 47°C ; the average day temperature being between 35 – 47°C in the months of April–June.

The winters are a total opposite. The months from November to February are freezing cold. Although, the morning drives into the woods to capture some wee hours photographs can be very challenging, the daytime can be very pleasant and appealing. This time of the year is considered the best time to visit the park.

Ranthambore National Park remains closed during the months of July to September for visitors.