Common species of Ranthambhore and their preferred habitat:
1. Tiger - Dense cover in the valleys and riverside areas
2. Leopard - Dense cover in the higher slopes and forest edge
3. Jungle Cat - Scrub and grasslands and undergrowth in valleys
4. Caracal - Streams, Open scrub and grasslands
5. Rusty Spotted cat - Thorny trees, scrubland and cultivated areas
6. Sambar deer - Thick cover in valleys, gentle slopes and dangs
7. Chital or Spotted deer - Open spaces and riverine areas in forests
8. Nilgai or Antelope - Open dry scrub land, grasslands and forest edge
9. Chinkara or gazelle - Open scrub and grasslands in hilly areas
10. Wild Boar - Open spaces and riverine areas in forests
11. Sloth Bear - Dense riverine areas, khos and rocky areas
12. Jackal - Open scrub and forest edges
13. Hyena - Dense cover along streams, khos & riverine areas
14. Indian Palm Civet - Large trees and undergrowth in moist areas
15. Common Mongoose - Dense cover in moist areas and forest edges
16. Ruddy Mongoose - Dense cover in moist areas and forest edges
17. Indian Porcupine - Dense cover in riverine areas and rocky hillsides
18. Indian Hare - Open scrub and grasslands
19. Indian Flying Fox - Large trees in moist, low lying areas
20. Marsh Crocodile - Wetlands
21. Bengal Monitor Lizard - Dense undergrowth, large trees and rocky areas
22. Indian Rock Python - Dense undergrowth in valleys and rocky areas
23. Saw-scaled Viper - Open scrub and sandy soil
24. Indian Rat Snake - Dense undergrowth and cultivated areas
25. Indian Bull Frog - Wetlands
26. Skittering Frog - Wetlands
27. Common Indian Toad - Cool, moist and dark areas
Ranthambhore National Park lies in the Sawai Madhopur district of the North Indian state of Rajasthan. The park is contiguous with the Sawai Madhopur town, and Misradhara gate, from where tourists enter the Park, is about 12 km from the heart of the town. Ranthambhore is the only Project Tiger Reserve that is right next to a large town. The twin towns of Old City and Man town together constitute Sawai Madhopur. The railway station and the main market – Bajariya – are located in Man town. The older City lies 4 km away, in a valley surrounded by cliffs and steep slopes.
Gypsys are more personal, more expensive and less noisy, but both Canters and Gypsys travel on the same tracks. Both offer the same opportunity for wildlife viewing. Generally speaking, Gypsys are better for smaller groups (4-6 persons) and for special interest visitors, such as photographers, birders etc. For larger groups (10 to 20 persons) Canters are actually better than taking 2-3 Gypsys because everyone in the group goes through similar experiences.
Mornings safari are better during summers and evenings safari are better in the winters. The best wildlife viewing occurs when the sun is not strong - early mornings or late evenings.
Timings - Morning wildlife safari - 6.00 to 10.00 am & Evening wildlife safari - 2.30 to 6.30 pm, the timings may vary by 1/2 hr, as they are based on the sunrise & sunset time.
The park is open to tourists from the 1st of October to the 30th of June. Most of the tourists visit the park between November and March, mainly because the summers heat is unbearable. The period between November and February is excellent for wildlife viewing, particularly for bird watching. A lot of migratory birds visit the park during the winter months. During the summer months (April to June), when the temperature soars over 40 degrees Centigrade during the day, sighting tigers is relatively easier than it is in winters.
DO'S AND DONT'S FOR VISITORS TO THE RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK
Do’s:Maintain silence inside the Park. Take care of your children. Dress comfortably and soberly. Maintain a safe distance from the animals. Follow the instructions given by Forest Officials.
Don’t’s:Litter Swim or fish. Disturb the animals. Play music or make noise. Use spotlight, flash etc. Smoke, light a fire nor cook. Take pets inside the park. Carry weapons, explosives not toxic chemicals. Over speed, overtake nor honk inside the park. Get off the vehicle, except at specified places. Deviate from the allotted route. Crowd more than two vehicles at a spot. Overstay beyond the scheduled timings. Enter the park without proper entry permits. Encourage your driver to stay parked at one place. The entire park is exotic and tigers are found all over the park.
Ranthambhore has over
330 species of birds and we are still counting. For birders, Ranthambhore’s specialties are the Indian courser, Painted spurfowl, Indian skimmer, quails, larks, pipits and prinias.
Ranthambhore is dotted with ancient ruins, some which date back to over 1000 years ago. Some of the most prominent of these are the Ranthambhore and Khandar fort, the ancient temples at Rameshwaram ghat, the old tantric temple of Kalaji Goraji and even the old city of Sawai Madhopur. A visit to the local villages, which offers an insight into the life of the rural folks, can be very interesting.
