The Ranthambore national park is one of the most important wildlife destinations of Rajasthan. This protected forest is flanked by the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges, and is characterized by rugged geographical features like sharp ridges and deep ravines interspersed with lakes. The large number of fauna found here includes some of the most well known species, including the tiger. It is undoubtedly one of the highlights of tourism in Rajasthan, and experiences considerable tourist footfall every year. Along with the forts and palaces, Ranthambore National Park is one of the major tourist attractions in Rajasthan.

Like many other protected forests of Rajasthan, Ranthambore was the private hunting preserve of the Royalty of Jaipur. It is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan, about 180 kilometers south west of Jaipur. The core area of the park measures 275 square kilometers (106 square miles). The park perimeter is bordered by the Banas River towards the north, and there are some water bodies inside the park, which include lakes like Gilai sagar, Man sarovar, Padam talao, and Rajbagh talao.

The wildlife of Ranthambore includes a wide range of mammals, reptiles, birds and insects, and other species that are typical of the wildlife of Rajasthan. The most famous residents of the forest are of course, the tigers, and they are spotted with amazing frequency here, owing mainly due to the sparse forest cover at many places. The presence of these big cats led to the park being declared a tiger reserve in 1973, as part of project tiger. The other wild animals found in the park include the sambar which can be seen grazing in large herds near the swamps and lakes. The sloth bear and the marsh crocodile are among the other major animals spotted in Ranthambore. The other carnivores include the panther, jackals, hyena, foxes, and caracal. The grazing animals include spotted deer, nilgai, and the elusive Chinkara. The bird species are found in great numbers, and include many birds of prey like the Crested serpent eagle, Bonneli�s eagle and hawks, besides many varieties of storks, pigeons, flycatchers, and water birds.

Ranthambore has many other attractions apart from the wildlife, which, as mentioned above is quite varied and enchanting. The Ranthambore fort is situated at the center of the park, and the name of the park has been derived from this fort. It is said to be over 1000 years old, and towers above the surroundings at 215 meters.

Exploring the forest is a fascinating experience. The jeeps for these trips have to be hired from the project tiger office near Sawai Madhopur railway station. No other vehicles are allowed inside the forest. Walking is strictly prohibited.

The nearest railway station is at Sawai Madhopur. From here buses and taxis will take you to the entry point of Ranthambore National Park. Accommodation can be found at Sawai Madhopur and Jaipur. RTDC hotel Vinayak in Sawai Madhopur is a good option if you want to stay near the park.

For more information about the Ranthambore National Park and other information about tourism in Rajasthan, log on to touristplacesinindia.com