India

15 km from the town of Sawai Madhopur, in the Rajasthan region, the Ranthambore National Park offers you an escape closer to nature during your stay in India. At the heart of this end of an Eden dotted with cliffs and lakes nestle a fauna and a flora of character, making the estate the perfect pied-à-terre to observe the wild life in all its splendor.

History

Spanning 282 km², the heart of Ranthambore Park was once the hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur. In 1970, the Indian government decided to ban hunting of cats, noting the threat of extinction on the tigers. Three years later, the area became one of the first parks developed under the "Project Tiger".

Between 2002 and 2004, poaching again took its toll. Twenty tigers were captured and then shot by professional gangs. An update of the protection program was urgently needed to combat this highly prohibited activity. New security measures, including the use of surveillance cameras, were applied. Since then, the situation has improved significantly. In 2017, the park's population is about sixty tigers, including 18 small ones.

In the middle of the forest, the Ranthambore Fort was built in the 17th century. This place full of stories embodies the symbol of glory and valor of King Hammiradeva. The building was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2013, along with five other forts in Rajasthan.

Today

Accessible to the general public, the Ranthambore National Park has gradually expanded over the years. The area today covers 400 km² characterized by semi-desert vegetation. The Dhok tree and the Banyan are particularly prominent, neighbors of a variety of flowers. The park is divided into ten distinct areas for safari.

In this setting of wild nature, you will have the privilege to observe a multitude of animal species, including tigers, leopards, bears, wild boars, hedgehogs, deer, civets, antelopes and various species of monkey.

On the shores of Mansingh and Kaila Devi sanctuaries, now bordered by a grove, felines enjoy pleasant shaded areas to bask in peace. The three great lakes, including Padam Talab, Milak Talab and Raj Bagh Tahab serve as watering places for the animals in the park.

Located high up, the Fort Ranthambore not only offers a bird's eye view of the lakes and forest, but is also a great place to see vultures, eagles, storks and other sky dwellers. In all, Ranthambore Park has 250 bird species.

To receive tourists, many hotels have been set up in the heart of the estate.

Climate and accessibility

In this region of Rajasthan, the summer season is characterized by extremely high temperatures. The winter is particularly cold.

The Ranthambore National Park receives tourists from October to June, although the ideal time to visit is the months of December, April and March.

How to get there

By air, the closest airport to Ranthambore Park is Sanganer Airport in Jaipur, 165 km away. It will take you three and a half hours to get to the estate.

If you plan to come by car, the journey from Agra to Ranthambore (280 km) will take you about six hours. From New Delhi to Jaipur Park, travel time is approximately eight hours.

For train travel enthusiasts, the railway line between Delhi and Mumbai goes through Jaipur, then Sawai Madhopur, located about ten kilometers from the park. From the pink city to Sawai Madhopur, the journey takes two and a half hours.

How to move

In Ranthambore National Park, exploration is usually done by jeep or "canter" vans. Accompanied by a guide, visitors follow marked trails so as not to disturb the animals. Some places, such as Ranthambore Fort, are only accessible by walking. So, get some hiking shoes.

Among the services available on site, boat rides are a must. Let yourself be seduced by a stroll in the heart of the park's lakes to take a closer look at crocodiles, storks and felines drinking on the shores of lakes.

What to do in Ranthambore National Park?

• Rent a jeep and go on safari in the ten accessible areas of the park
• Indulge in the hike
• Explore the marked trails to discover the fauna and flora
• Travel to Ranthambore Fort to observe birds
• Enjoy a boat ride in the lakes of the park
• Participate in on-site yoga retreats, etc.
• Treat yourself to a stay of healing closer to nature in the hotels located in the heart of the park, etc.