Ranthambore National Park

Introducing Ranthambore National Park

Infamous, spectacular Ranthambore National Park (Indian/foreigner Rs 25/200; Oct-Jun) is 1334 sq km of wild jungle scrub hemmed in by rocky ridges. At its centre is the 10th-century Ranthambore Fort, and scattered nearby are ancient temples and mosques, crocodile-filled lakes, chhatris (cenotaphs) and hides. The park was a maharajas’ hunting ground till 1970 – a curious 15 years after it had become a sanctuary.

Ranthambore is the only place to spot wild tigers in Rajasthan, but each year the odds are reduced by mismanagement and poaching. Project Tiger has been in charge of the animals’ welfare since 1979, but the project’s difficulties were thrown into sharp relief when government officials were again implicated in poaching in 2005. Getting an accurate figure on the number of tigers comes down to who you believe – an April 2006 report in the Indian journal Frontline estimated the figure to be as low as 15.

Aside from the enormous Ganesh mela (fair) every August, traffic into the park is highly restricted. Still, the remaining tigers are so used to being observed that they’re not scared away by jeeps and canters (large, open-topped trucks seating 20); being sociable animals, they are even intrigued by visitors.

Seeing a tiger is just a matter of luck, but the park is also worth visiting for the scenery alone, particularly if you walk up to the fort. There are also more than 300 species of birds in the park.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009