Ranthambore National Park

Preface
Once the hunting preserve of Maharajas of Jaipur, Ranthambore National Park is located in Eastern Rajasthan - the meeting point of the famous Aravali Hill ranges and the Vindhyan plateau. It is bound by river Chambal in the south and Banas in the north.
The entire park is criss-crossed by many perennial streams whose source is a group of six man made lakes and form the main attraction of the park. The Ranthambore National Park has internal drainage and has no link up with any river system, even though two rivers bound the Park in it's north and south side.

Flora
The park houses over three hundred species of trees and 50 aquatic plants. Ranthambore's terrain pulsates between impregnable forests and open bush land. The terrain is made up of massive rock formations, steep scarps, perennial lakes and streams and forest suddenly opening up into large areas of Savannah. The forest is the typically dry deciduous type, with Dhok, being the most prominent tree. The landscape is dotted with ancient Banyan Trees, Dhok & pipal trees, mago trees and crisscrossed with evergreen belts

Fauna
Famed for its tigers, Ranthambore National Park is photographer's delight. The park astonishingly holds a rich count of fauna in its small pocket. The park has a total of over 272 birds, 12 reptiles including the Marsh Crocodile & amphibians and 30 mammals.

For the wildlife savvy, Ranthambore wildlife sanctuary today offers an intense diversity of flora and fauna. Tigers, the park's pride makes it one of the best places in the country to observe them. Apart from tigers one can spot a large number of Sambars, Chitals, Nilgais, Gazzelles, Boars, Mongoose, Indian Hare, Monitor Lizards and a large number of birds.

Bonus Attractions
Ranthambore Fort & Jogi Mahal : Probably the oldest existing fort in Rajasthan, the birth of the fort dates back to the 10th century . Built on a rocky surface in the center of the park the fort covers an area of 392-sq-kms. Incidently, the park has derived its name from the Ranthambhore Fort. Once the fort used to be a vital citadel for control of Central India

The entry point to the Ranthambore National Park goes straight to the foot of the fort and the forest rest house, Jogi Mahal. The latter boasts of the second-largest Banyan tree in India.

Ideal Time to visit
The best visiting season of Ranthambore national park is during the months of October - March and April to June.