5 Reasons to Visit Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan

Are you fed up from work and hustle of cities disappear? Ranthambore National Park is identified for the best tiger safari in India, and is one of the best places to visit in India. Here you may witnesses exhilarating nature, serene lakes, and roar of tigers! In Ranthambore National Park, take a Safari with the hope of seeing tigers!

This ancient hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Jaipur is located in Sawai Madhopur, 4 hours from the Pink City of Jaipur and 6 hours from the Taj Mahal in Agra. A stop of 1 or 2 nights in Ranthambore combines perfectly with most routes that include the Golden Triangle of India and is a destination especially indicated between November and May.

Ranthambore, in Rajasthan, with an area of almost 400 square km, became a National Park in 1980. It is known for being one of the best places in India to see tigers in their natural habitat. The Royal Bengal Tigers census indicates that there are currently more than 60 specimens in Ranthambore.

The Ranthambore National park is one of the royal national parks located in Rajasthan. It is surrounded by the Chambal and Banas river and is the ideal habitat for many predators and other animals. It is one of the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in India.

1. Ranthambore Fort

Another attraction of Ranthambore is its temples, forts and hunting lodges. This humanized landscape in the middle of the reserve leaves inconceivable prints such as tigers resting in the middle of a Rajasthani palace.

Visit the Ranthambore Fort. The Fort can be visited at sunset, and it is in fact when the visit is most worth it. Ranthambore fort is a wasted gem. Admission is free, and it is a shame, because perhaps charging a minimum amount could help in its conservation and especially in maintenance and cleaning.

The langurs roam freely throughout the fort. The Fort consists of several palaces, mosques and ruined buildings. You can climb to the roof of one of its buildings and watch the sunset in the jungle.

It is as if watching the Bear Grylls show! The Ranthambore Fort seems taken from a scene in the the Jungle Book movie.

2. Ranthambore Safari

Arrive in Ranthambore at dawn and do the Safari. Dawn is the most likely time to see tigers. A wildlife safari through Ranthambore National Park is also a great way to explore what Rajasthan has to offer. You will have the chance to see royal tigers and migratory birds, as well as host other varieties of wildlife on the Ranthambore adventure. There are several areas in the park, and Zone 1 is where tigers are most likely to be observed.

The Ranthambore Sunrise Safari starts at 6 in the morning, or so they sell you. It supposedly lasts 4 hours, from 6 to 10, but in reality at 6 the jeep or canter (open truck) starts picking up tourists from hotel to hotel (at least you just have to wait at the door), then go to the Park.

This means that in the park it is not until 7 or more (and from there it leaves before 9 since at 10 they have already left all the tourists again, to each owl in their olive tree). In conclusion, the 4 hours of Safari are actually an hour and a half. But well, full of enthusiasm we got on our Canter. Here you may ask, which is better, in Canter or in Jeep?

Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. In jeep you go with fewer people, it has more maneuverability so you can enter roads that the Canter does not, but it is lower (lower visibility) and is a bit more expensive. The canter has the advantage of elevation, so, especially if there is tall grass, it allows you to see more distance.

The Ranthambore guides can locate the tigers thanks to the warning calls that other animals made when they see a tiger, or following footprints on the roads (he told us that by the type of footprint experts can know if it is male or female, and if is going to hunt or has already eaten).

They are very attentive to the sounds of the rest of the jungle animals (and communicate between different jeeps or canters if they heard anything).

The entity responsible for the park maintains a strict entrance control except in special holiday periods when the limit of 10 jeeps (6 people) and 10 canters (20 people) per area is increased to a random number decided by the authorities.

As a general rule, you can book a safari 95 days in advance. You should decide in time if you want to visit zones 3 and 4, which are among the most popular. In general, they are also the most frequented thing that according to the occasion can be counterproductive since silence is always a value when you are going to make a foray into nature.

Against the usual belief, the park remains open during the monsoon, although only zones 6-10 are accessible and departures can be canceled due to the torrential rains of this season.

If you are going to make more than one jeep trip in the Ranthambore Natural Park, you should choose different habitats, since the park consists of forested, hilly and prairie areas. In addition to exposing yourself to a diverse landscape, you will enjoy the discovery of routes and the variety of flora and fauna found in each ecosystem.

3. Tigers in Ranthambore

In Ranthambore National Park there are ten areas open to the public and numbered successively from 1 to 10. Tigers move freely throughout the reserve and its surroundings, although their territorial patterns tend to repeat the same areas. A male occupies about 50 km2 and in its territory live up to 3 females with their cubs, which occupy about 15 km2 each.

At dawn you are more likely to see tigers, especially females. This is because, at dawn, when it is still not hot (in the sunny hours they spend the day lying in a shadow), the females travel their territory marking it (pissing in the trees). In addition, they usually follow the roads because the pads of the legs are not damaged, which would be fatal for the hunting of their prey.

In all areas there are populations of Bengal tiger, although in those with open field and meadow (3 and 6) it is easier to observe their movements. Other areas with a good chance of seeing Bengal tigers are Zone 2, 5 and 6. Zone 6 also has the best sighting records.

4. Animals in Ranthambore

During the afternoon Ranthambore safaris, however, other animals such as deer are seen more frequently. That is the good thing of seeing animals in their natural habitat, if you are very lucky you see them, or if not, no.

Among its fauna are also wild boars, hyenas, sloths, leopards, Rhesus macaque, roe deer and langurs, as well as a variety of birds and reptiles. Langurs, of course we saw everywhere and at all hours.

Sambar, Leopard, Wild Boar, Nilgai and Hyena are some of the major animals found in this National park. Tiger Safaris are the most popular in this park. Famous as an iconic destination for seeing wildlife and bird watching, this reserve even has a definite place in luxury train travel plans via Palace on Wheels train.

Ranthambore National Park is home to the illustrious predators staying in imperial Rajasthan. Tigers being the basic fascination of the place actually get the attention of nature lovers and wildlife photographers.

With your Ranthambore Safari, you will be captivated by the observation of such large cats freely itinerant and absorbing in the glow of the desert. With tigers, there are various other wild creatures like sloth bears, wild boars, Sambar and many others that attract tourists.

Best time to visit Ranthambore National Park: March to May

5. Ranthambore Camping Tips

An overnight camp is also available for those who enjoy spending time outdoors. A delightful dinner will be prepared, while evening entertainment will include everything from traditional folk music to dance performances that are sure to make you feel good during your stay. Apart from birds and tiger, you can also see various species of crocodiles, bears, wild boar and deer.

When visiting any natural park in India you have to be aware that wildlife density is limited. If your goal is to see animals you will probably succeed, but focusing only on one species can be frustrating especially if you spend a single night in the natural park. Emphasize the approach to nature that shows another side of your trip to India and it will surely be a satisfying experience.

Another fundamental element is to understand that human presence modifies the behaviors of fauna and it is normal to chase away the specimens that usually frequent one or the other area. The opposite would indicate that they are getting used to cohabit with humans and therefore that our presence is detrimental to their conservation in the wild.