Ranthambore National Park is positioned at the convergence of the Vindhyan plateau and Aravali hill, in the Eastern region of Rajasthan. Two rivers, namely Banas in the North and Chambal in the South, flow through this National Park. You can also find six artificial lakes and quite a few perennial streams passing through the Ranthambore National Park. In the year of 1955, this Park got declared as a game sanctuary. However, its status of a national park came in the year of 1980. The year 1972 marks the commencement of Project Tiger. It was at this point of time when this park was conferred the status of a tiger reserve in the country. Ranthambore National Park is spread on an area of 1,334 sq kms together with its neighboring sanctuaries - the Mansingh Sanctuary and the Kaila Devi Sanctuary. In this park, there are some areas earmarked for the tourists where they can wander at their heart?s will and explore the fauna and flora housed here. In fact, this distinctive feature of the park is a much loved one, particularly among the tourists.

Wildlife Attraction

The tiger reigns supreme in Ranthambore. Ranthambore is among the few places in the world where this super-predator, symbol of power, strength and magnificence, can be observed at close quarters. There are about 25 tigers and 40 leopards in the reserve. These are supported by a large population of healthy herbivores. On can never have enough of tigers. One may have seen a tiger a hundred times, yet each sighting is greeted with the same high-pitched intensity. 

Other Attractions

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, slothe bear and marsh crocodile. 

Best Time to Visit

The Ranthambore National Park suffers extreme climate with temperatures soaring up to 47 °C during summers and dipping to 2°C during winters. In summers, temperature inside the park is pleasant, though outside, where all the resorts are located, it can be unbearable. The best time to visit the park can be either Nov- Feb or April-May.

Access

By Air
Jaipur (165 km) is the nearest airport which is conveniently connected by Indian Airlines flights from Delhi (6:05, daily), Mumbai (15:30, daily) and Kolkata (15:45, daily). Jet Airways also connect Mumbai and Delhi to Jaipur through daily flights

By Road
A good network of buses connect Sawai Madhopur with quite a few areas around. To reach by road from Jaipur, take the NH12 to Tonk via Sanganer and state highway to Ranthambore via Uniara and Sawai Madhopur. It will be better to go by train, since private vehicles are not allowed inside the park

By Rail
The Park is around 12 km from Sawai Madhopur railway station, on the Delhi-Bombay trunk route. Daily trains which connect the place to Delhi include Intercity Exp. (22:15), Golden Temple Mail (7:15), Paschim Exp. (16:55), Mewar Exp. (19:00), Dehradun Exp. (21:45) and FZR BCT Janta (13:30). Trains from Mumbai include Golden Temple Mail (21:25), Paschim Exp. (11:35), BCT JP Exp. (18:50), Dehradun Exp. (22:25) and FZR Janata Exp. (7:25). Other trains are from Bangalore the Jaipur Exp. (11:15, Thu, Sat) and from Chennai, Jaipur Exp. (17:30, Tue, Fri, Sun).