Ranthambore National Park -Earlier, the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Jaipur, the Park atRanthambore was once the scene of royal hunting parties. Today, it is famous for its tigers and is one of the best places in the country to see these majestic predators in the wild. The tigers can be spotted quite often even during the day, at their normal pursuits - hunting and taking care of their young. With the strict measures that have been taken for their conservation, they seem quite accustomed to human activity and are not disturbed by it. A good time to visit is between November and April when the nature of the dry deciduous forest makes sightings common.
Ranthambore has large numbers of Sambar, chital and nilgai. Sounders of boar and an occasional gazelle - the chinkara can be seen, as also the Indian hare, mongoose and monitor lizards. The lakes and pools at the Parkare where the deer congregate and where it is easiest to see the animals.Among the other local fauna are the leopard, hyena, jackal, jungle cats,sloth bear and marsh crocodile.
Jacanas, painted stork, black stork, and white necked stork are seen alongthe water bodies. Peafowl are found in abundance and other birds include Bonelli's eagle, crested serpent eagle, the great Indian horned owl, quail,partridge, spur fowl and the paradise fly catcher.
The Park which covers an area of 392 sq. km is set between the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges. Its deciduous forests were once a part of the magnificent jungles of Central India. The terrain is rugged and there are rocky ridges,hills and open valleys with lakes and pools.
Ranthambore's royal past manifests itself in the picturesque ruins that dotthe Park. There are lake palaces, chhatris, old fortifications and a majestic thousand year old fort on a height overlooking the park. The forest rest house at the foot of the Ranthambore fort is located in the lovely Jogi Mahal. It overlooks a tank -the pretty Padam Talao, afloat with waterlilies.
General Information : » Best time to Visit - October to June
» Migrants - October - February
» Accommodation - Maharaja Lodge, Forest Rest Houses, Jogi Mahal, Hotel Kamadhenu, Jhoomer Baori Forest Lodge.
» Nearest town - Swai Madhopur (11 Km)
» How to get there ? Swai Madhopur (11Km), Air -Jaipur(145 Km)
The desert National Park is an excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar desert and its diverse fauna. Sanddunes form around 20% of the Park. The major landform consists of craggy rocks and compact salt lake bottoms, intermedial areas and fixed dunes whichare quite suitable for the chinkara to move at high speed. The blackbuck is another common antelope of this region. Its other notable inhabitants are the desert fox, Bengal fox, wolf and desert cat.
Sudashri forest post is the ideal place for observing the wildlife of Desert National Park and is the most suitable in the entire 3162 sq km of this park for watching and photographing the activities of the animals frombehind cover.
Birdlife in this sandy habitat is vivid and spectacular. Birds such as the sandgrouse, partridges, bee-eaters, larks and shrikes are commonly seen.Demoiselle crane and houbara arrive in the winter.
Thebirds of prey seen here are tawny and steppe eagles, long legged and honey buzzards, falcons and kestrels. But the most outstanding of the avifauna isthe great Indian bustard. This tall, heavy bird is an epitome of confidence and grace. It is common to see five or six bustards near Sudashri water hole.
This park is also very rich in reptiles. Spiny tail lizard, monitor lizard,saw sealed viper, Russel's viper, Sind krait, toad agama and sandfish arefound in large numbers.
18 kms. From Jaisalmer is the Akal Woods Fossils Park which is about 180 million years of age. Sea shells and massive fossiled tree trunks in this park record the geological history of the desert.
General Information : » Best time to Visit - Throughout the year
» Accommodation - RTDC's Moomal Tourist Bunglow,RTDC's Tourist Bunglow at Sam.
» How to get there ? Jaisalmer is the nearest town (40 kms). Nearest air, road and railhead is Jaisalmer.
