History
and natural heritage blend in the right proportion in the Ranthambhor Park,
a tiger reserve under the Project Tiger, giving you the best chance for
tiger sightings. It's landscape is dominated by the Vindhyan hill range with
its steep escarpments. The ancient sedimentary, limestone and sandstone
rocks, perennial lakes, and dry deciduous vegetation are part of its
indicative topography. Ranthambhor's great fort, in the background, is a
royal presence, but abandoned for centuries, the only majesty here is the
tiger's presence. Once a hunting preserves for the maharajas of Jaipur, now
a Project Tiger reserve, the park has also shown that tigers can live and
breed in close proximity to human settlements.
But the tiger
isn't the only predator at Ranthambhor, though it may be its famous one.
Leopards live in the higher vegetation, while the lakes are infested with
marsh crocodiles on which the tigers sometimes prey. There are also
caracals, jungle cats, jackals, hyenas and sloth bears. Among foraging
animals are deer (sambhar, chital, nilgai, chinkara), wild boar and of
course also species such as hare, lizard mongoose and monitor lizard. The
park is also endowed with rich avian life and the ever-present langurs.
The Clinton Visit
Bill Clinton visited
Ranthambhor National Park for a day in March 2000 as the President of USA.
He saw a couple of tigers in his short visit.
In search o the king of
the forest…
Best Season
Nov to March.
Access
From Jaipur, New Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta, daily trains connect to Sawai
Madhopur, the railhead. Also accessible by road from all prime tourist spots
of Rajasthan.
Accommodation
Castle
Jhoomar Baori
Run by the RTDC, this lodge is set amidst woods and
provides simple accommodation. Castle Jhoomar Baori, Ranthambhor, Sawai
Madhopur
The Sawai Madhopur Lodge
A former hunting
lodge of the Maharaja of Jaipur, it still retains its splendor and beauty.
Run by the Taj Group of Hotels, care has been taken to retain the 1930's
look. A beautifully furnished lounge with a fireplace and a bar add to the
ambience of the palace.
Sawai Madhopur Lodge, Ranthambore National
Park Road, Sawai Madhopur-322001
The Fort Uniara
Uniara Fort was built in 1200 under the patronage of Ranthambore Rana
Hameer. In 17th century Rao Sardar Singhji conquered it, since then Uniara
and the Fort remained the capital of Uniara State. The Fort with its
commanding position offers a breathtaking view of the surroundings.
Horse riding, jeep safaris, wildlife and camel safaris.
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