Ranthambhore National Park located at the junction of the Aravalis and the Vindhyas, is a unique example of natural and historical legacy, standing out wondrously in the vast, arid and denuded tract of eastern Rajasthan, barely 14 kilometers from Sawai Madhopur.

It spreads over a highly undulating topography varying from gentle to steep slopes; from flat topped hills of the Vindhyas to the conical hillocks and sharp ridges of the Aravalis, from wide and flat valleys to narrow rocky gorges. An important geological feature the 'Great Boundary Fault' where the Vindhya plateaus meet the Aravali hill ranges, meanders through the Reserve. The National Park is bound by the rivers Chambal in the south and Banas in the north.

The name Ranthambore is derived from two hills in the area, Ran and Thanbhor. Another version says that Ranthambhore was once called Rana Stambhapura or City of the Pillars of War.

With over 300 types of trees, 272 species of birds and approximately 30 different types of mammals, Ranthambhore is packed full with life. The park is a home to India's smallest and largest antelopes, Chinkara and Nilgai ('blue bull'). We can also take you outside of the park for the chance to see Black Buck Antelope in nearby tribal villages and vast numbers of migratory birds around tranquil lakes. The other kinds of cats found in Ranthambhore are Leopard (Panthera pardus), Caracal (Felis caracal), Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis), Fishing Cat ( Felis viverrina) and the Jungle Cat (Felis chaus). Besides the big cats, the other large predators found in Ranthambhore include Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, Wolf, Wild dog (or Dhole), Jackal, Indian Fox, Palm Civet, Small Indian Civet, Common Indian Mongoose, small Indian Mongoose, Ratel (or Honey Badger), Crocodile and the Indian Python. There are two species of Antlers, namely the Spotted Deer (or Chital) and the Sambhar Deer, and, two kinds of Antelopes, namely the Indian Gazelle (or Chinkara) and the Bluebull (or Neelgai). Black Buck (another kind of antelope), which is rarely found in the National Park is common in Devpura area, in the outskirts of the park.

The park is open from 1st October till 30th June.

October to March. The park is closed from June to October. While May and June are hot, the increasing scarcity of water as summer approaches makes wildlife sighting easier as the animals flock to the waterholes.

Fly to Jaipur (the closest airport) and drive to Ranthambore (165 kms) By train : Ranthambore National Park is approx. 12 km from the Sawaimadhopur Railway station, that lies on the Delhi to Mumbai trunk route.

RTDC Jhoomar Baori Forest Lodge, RTDC Hotel Kamdhenu, Maharaja Lodge (Taj Group), Sawai Madhopur Lodge, PWD Rest House, and Jogi Mahal which lies within the park premises, are some of the available means of accomodation.