Ranthambore National Park, Sawai Madhopur
Known for its teeming population of highly camera friendly Tigers, the Ranthambore National Park is situated in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan. It is surrounded by the Chambal and the Banas rivers and contains the historic fort of Ranthambore built during the 10th century. The forests were used for game hunting by the royal families of Jaipur before they were declared a protected area after the Indian independence in 1947.
Ranthambore National Park, one of the largest and the most popular national parks in the Northern India, is the perfect synonym for the wildlife tourism in Rajasthan. Located in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan, Ranthambore is just 180 km away from Jaipur (being also the nearest airport to it) and 110 km from Kota. The nearest station from Ranthambore is Sawai Madhopur. Entering into the Ranthambore zone of an area of 392 sq km is an easy way to visualize tiger everywhere as it is known for the biggest tiger populations in India.
The park is best described as the perfect wildlife reserves in India to be best described as the “tiger friendly land” that proudly preserves the most recognized tigers in India which are called by their notable marks on their body and best identified through their ruling territory. The dense undergrowths bring the perfect backdrop to allow a creeping hunt of a tiger in the eternal arena. It is the only land in India where plenty of mother and cub tiger groups can be easily found.
The Story of Ranthambore
1955- The reserve was earlier being established as the Sawai Madhopur Gaming Sanctuary by the Government of India.
1973- Later it was declared as one of the Project Tiger Reserves in India.
1980- Ranthambore became a national park.
1984- The adjacent forests were declared as Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary and Keladevi Sanctuary.
1991- The tiger reserve was enlarged to include Sawai Mansingh and Kaladevi Sanctuaries.
The Ranthambore National Park is best known for the tiger population and is one of the perfect destinations in India to witness the majestic predators in the jungle living naturally. It is the only reserve in the region where the tigers can be easily witnessed at any point of time. This is the reason why the region is superbly famous for the tiger tours.
Wildlife
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
Apart from tigers, the major wild animals include leopard, nilgai, wild boar, sambar, hyena, sloth bear and chital. It is also home to wide variety of trees, plants, birds and reptiles. The reserve also has the thriving bird population of with more than 270 different species of birds.
2005 was the year when the tiger count was 26; significantly lower than the recorded tiger population of the reserve in 1982, which then were 44. The non-government resources revealed through a survey that in the year 2008, 34 adult tigers in Ranthambore were recorded. Also more than 14 tiger cubs were also been recorded that brings huge accolades to the conservation efforts and the wildlife management authority for the well-beings of the Ranthambore Tigers.
More significantly, tigers in Ranthambore are today’s heroes since they are being known by their very own name and have their own identity with their unique notable marks. With the emotional interactions of the wildlife experts, photographers and jungle officials, Ranthambore tigers are world famous with their local pet names including the most famous tigers like Machali (T-16), Dollar (T-25), Sitara (T-28), Bina One, Bina Two and many more like them. Quite appraisingly, with such increase in the counts of the tigers in Ranthambore, some of the tigers have been relocated to the nearby reserves like Sariska Tiger Reserve. A recent relocation of the tigress sisters (Bina One and Bina Two) is the latest example of it.
Ranthambore is an ideal home to
40 species of mammals
320 species of birds
40 Species of Reptiles
02 amphibian species
50 species of Butterflies
300 species of plants
Forest details (Fauna) of Ranthambore
The park is the dry deciduous forest type that makes the tiger sighting more common. The dry deciduous forests were once a part of the magnificent jungles of the Central India. The Ranthambore Park is being located at the edge of a plateau and is bounded to the North by the Banas River and to the south by the Chambal River. The park is also being satiated with the historic Ranthambore fortress where several lakes can also be found. Ranthambore is also the site for one of the largest banyan trees in India.
Places of Interest
Ranthambore Fort
Ranthambore Fort – this is the most ancient fort in the Sawai Madhopur area located just 13 Kms from Sawai Madhopur Railway station to bring a magnanimous charm for the wildlife as well as for the heritage lovers. Founded in 944 and initially named as “Ranath Bhawar Garh” which means “a place of Rajput warriors”, the Ranthambore Fort is today an ideal territory or the ideal ruling area for the most famous Ranthambore tigress- the Machali. The tiger lovers, especially the fan of Machali who is better known as the “Queen of Ranthambore” specially come to this fort to catch the mightiest and the royal moves of the pride of Ranthambore- the Machali, who is best known for her bravery acts and winning over the other residents of Ranthambore to capture the territory.
Bakula Region – Ranthambore wildlife sanctuary is the ultimate region which is mostly covered with thick forests. Bakula is among such thickly forested regions in Ranthambore to carry the most wildering effect on the region. Bakula region is plush with various pools and water-holes including the dense forest part. The dense forest cover and easily availability of water is the ultimate reason for the presence of abundance of wildlife in the Bakula Region. This is the reason why tourists can easily trace many tigresses with their young cubs near the water holes. Bakula dense forest is an excellent place for tigresses and their young cubs to make a great stay and relax.
Kachida Valley – The Kachida Valley is located at the outskirts of the reserve to bear different outcrops and low hills. The tourists can make a good excursion through Jeep Safari to explore the region of the Kachida Valley. This is the only location where Panther population of Ranthambore National Park is found, as they avoid venturing in the main area of jungle so they would not indulge into any kind of conflicts with tigers. Besides, beers are also found in a good number here.
Lakarda Anantpura – Located in the north and north-west part of the Ranthambore National Park, the Lakarda Anantpura is an area ideally located to visit great amount of Sloth Bears. Tourists can also find lots of ant hills, the favorite recipe for the beers. Although, it is a rare chance to visit these beer as they kept themselves hidden in the lush region, but Hyenas and their pugmark can be easily seen over here.
Jogi Mahal – the Jogi Mahal is actually a fort which is recognized among the must watch places in the famous Ranthambore national park. Locating quite near to the Ranthambore Park, this fort brings amazing facilities to the tourists making their journey more comfortable.
Nearby Places
Jaipur
Jaipur – the most popular touring spot for most of the national and international tourists, Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan attracts tremendous people for its magnanimous architectural splendors like City Palace, Jal Mahal, Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, Nahargarh Fort and more. Acutely at 180 kms by road from Ranthambore, Jaipur is the perfect land for you to make a great excursion for a change. The tourists can also explore colorful cultures and traditions to get closer to the incredible India.
Agra – the land of Taj Mahal has attracted probably most of the tourists worldwide to find the world’s one of the wonders. For any reasons of India tour, a Taj Mahal trip is a must for all since it is the perfect exemplar spot of Mughal architecture of the then era. The symbol of love is 247 kms away from Ranthambore Reserve, so if anybody really wishes to find some romantic longings with her/his companion after a hectic excursion amidst the tigers, Agra is the best answer for them.
Bharatpur – yet another charming place for the wildlife lovers and for those who understand the meaning of a complete wildlife tour in India, Bharatpur is the land of the birds to explore around 400-600 different species of birds. Perfectly called a paradise for the ornithologists, the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is 237 kms away from the tigers’ world at Ranthambore to find the great migratory counts of avians during winters and the perfect land to visit the famous Siberian Crane in the area is a must place for more wildlife knowledge and pleasure. Ranthambore Safari
Safaris
To enjoy great safaris in Ranthambore through elephant, jeep or canter; the tourists must be acquainted with its perfect timings so they would get the maximum leverage of safari fun completely. For the information, safari in Ranthambore can be experienced through different accessible zones and the timings for it vary in summers and in winters. Check out the table below:
