Ranthambore National Park
Famous for tigers seen in daylight beside lakes, banyans and a thousand-year-old fort.
- Established
- 1955 (sanctuary) · 1973 (Project Tiger) · 1980 (national park)
- Area
- About 1,334 km² (tiger reserve)
- District
- Sawai Madhopur
- Safari zones
- 10 zones
- Season
- October to June (core)
- Nearest station
- Sawai Madhopur (about 11 km)
How the park came to be
Ranthambore was the private hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur. It was declared the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955, became one of India's first Project Tiger reserves in 1973, and was made a national park in 1980.
The park takes its name from Ranthambore Fort, built around the 10th century and part of the UNESCO 'Hill Forts of Rajasthan' listing since 2013. Its tigers, many of them famous individuals photographed for generations, helped make tiger tourism what it is in India today.
FloraForest & landscape
Dry deciduous forest dominated by dhok, with banyan, pipal, khair and flame-of-the-forest. The lakes Padam Talao, Rajbagh Talao and Malik Talao keep the park green through the dry months.
FaunaWildlife you can see
- Bengal tiger
- Leopard
- Sloth bear
- Striped hyena
- Jungle cat
- Caracal (rare)
- Sambar
- Chital
- Nilgai
- Chinkara
- Wild boar
- Mugger crocodile
- Langur
Birds: Around 300 species, from painted storks and spoonbills on the lakes to crested serpent eagles and Indian paradise flycatchers.
Things to do
Zones are allotted by the forest department; jeeps are smaller and quieter.
Walk the ramparts and visit the Trinetra Ganesh temple.
Old palace ruins where tigers are often seen.
Dastkar women's craft centre near the park.
Travel tips
- Zones 1–6 are the classic core; ask us which are open for your dates
- Summer is hot but sightings near water peak
- Combine with a Jaipur city tour