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Topography and Salient Features

Ranthambore encompasses nearly 152 square miles (392 sq. kms.) of dry deciduous forest in south western Rajasthan and, in the heart of this forest, the Aravali and Vindhya ranges meet. The Park, consisting of numerous valleys and flat-topped hills, is set between the Aravali 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. The river Banas, and its tributary Kandoli, flow through it.  Ranthambore's royal past manifests itself in the picturesque ruins that dot the Park. There are lake palaces, chhatris, old fortifications and a majestic thousand year 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 water lilies. The  landscape is dotted with ancient banyan trees, dhok & pipal trees, clusters of mango trees and crisscrossed with evergreen belts. The terrain is made up of massive rock formations, steep scarps, perennial lakes and streams and forest suddenly opening up into large areas of savannah. The forest is in fact of a typical tropical dry deciduous variety and the main trees are kardhas (Anogeissus pendula) , palas, khair, ebony, ber and others.  For a relatively small area, the park has a rich diversity of fauna and flora - species list includes 300 trees, 50 aquatic plants, 272 birds, 12 reptiles (including the marsh crocodile) & amphibians and 30 mammals.

Fauna: Mammals, Birds and Reptiles

Ranthambore has large numbers of sambar, chital and nilgai. Sounders of boar and an occasional gazelle the chinkara ca be see, as also the Indian hare, mongoose and monitor lizards. The lakes and pools at the park are 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, slothe bear and marsh crocodile. 

Jacanas, painted stork, black stork, and white necked stork are seen along the 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 flycatcher.

The Fort:Dating back to the 994 AD, this imposing fort is perched atop a hill at an altitude of 200 meters amidst a dense forest. The structure comprises huge walls, colossal gates and some splendid monuments within its precincts. Strategically built on the border of Rjasthan and Malwa, the forest is steeped in history as it has witnessed a series of battles in the past.