Ranthambore National Park is a fascinating blend of history and nature. Inside the park is a formidable fort that was built in the 10th century and coveted by many rulers due to its strategic position between north and central India.
The park itself is situated at the joining of the Vindhya Plateau and the Aravalli Hills, and is characterized by rocky plains and steep cliffs. It supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, including around 30 tigers.
Ranthambore Location:
In India’s desert state of Rajasthan, 450 kilometers (280 miles) south west of Delhi and 185 kilometers (115 miles) from Jaipur. The main gate and fort are 3kms inside the park.
How to Get to Ranthambore:
The closest airport is in Jaipur, four hours traveling time by road. Alternatively the closest railway station is at Sawai Madhopur, 11 kilometers (7 miles) away. It’s easily reachable by train from Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra.
When to Visit Ranthambore:
The most animals are seen during the hot months of March through to June, when they come out in search of water. However, it’s more comfortable to visit during the preceding cooler months. Be sure to bring warm clothes if visiting during winter.
Ranthambore Opening Hours:
The park is open from sunrise until sunset. Safaris run for two and a half hours from 7 a.m. and again from 2 p.m. The core zones 1-5 close from July 1 to October 1 due to the monsoon rain. However, the remaining zones on the outskirts of the park stay open for safaris. They're not good for spotting tigers though.
Ranthambore Entry and Safari Fees:
The Rajasthan Forest Department offers safari seats in a canter (open topped truck seating 20) or a gypsy (jeep seating six) for 330 rupees per person, bookable on-line. Park entry fee is additional to this. Foreigners pay 530 rupees in a gypsy or 475 in a canter. For Indians, it's 131 rupees in a gypsy or 75 rupees in a canter. Discounts are offered for students. Each person also has to pay a guide fee of 42 rupees (both Indians and foreigners).
Ranthambore Travel Tips:
This national park is very popular due to its proximity to Delhi and the fact that tigers are relatively easy to spot here. Traffic into the park is highly regulated. Private vehicles are not allowed to enter, and the number of jeeps is restricted to 20 at one time, split along 5 different zones. Availability of seats tends to vary quite a bit, therefore seats are best booked as far in advance as possible. Some zones, particularly two and three, are better than others for seeing tigers. Zone one is highly avoidable. However it’s not possible to choose your route. Selection is carried out by a lottery conducted by forest officials. This has given rise to claims of bribery to get a preferred route.
The fort is really interesting, so do take some time to explore it.
Ranthambore Hotels:
Deciding on a Ranthambore hotel can be difficult. There are all kinds of properties in the area, ranging from resorts with luxury tents, to wilderness retreats and farm stays. To get an idea of what's on offer, check out these 5 Recommended Ranthambore Hotels.
