Wildlife Areas
Ranthambore National Park is situated in southeastern Rajasthan. The nearest town and railway station is at Sawai Madhopur, about 11 kms away. Ranthambore was established as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955, became a ‘Project Tiger Reserve’ in 1973 and a national park in 1980. In 1991 the tiger reserve was enlarged to include the adjacent forests. The park covers an area of 392 sq km, and is famous for its tiger population.
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (known locally as Ghana) is a national park located between Agra and Jaipur. It may be visited as a day trip from Agra or on route between the two cities. Bharatpur Railway Station also provides good links to Sawai Madhopur (for Ranthambhore) and Jaipur. However, if you are a bird watcher then you will want longer here and there is accommodation in the town of Bharatpur. There is a wide variation of habitat within the park (dry grasslands, woodlands, swamps and wetlands) and this in turn means that there is a wide range of bird species living here.
Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park is the perfect place to spot some amazing wild animals including the leopard, nilgai, dhole, wild boar, sambar, hyena, sloth bear and chital . It is also home to wide variety of trees, plants, birds and reptiles. Because Ranthambhore may easily be visited in a tour that includes the Taj Mahal at Agra it is one of the most visited of all India’s National Parks. But this does not mean that your chances of seeing a tiger is reduced – in fact this park is considered one of the best for tiger spotting. This popularity has lead to a wide range of accommodation being offered.
Accommodation Choices
Bharatpur
Bharatpur is home to Keoladeo National Park, a man made wetland and vast bird sanctuary. This former royal game reserve of the Maharajas protects over 350 species of migratory and resident birds, including Cormorants, herons, eagles and even the rare Siberian crane.
Accommodation Choices
