Ranthambore Activities

Of all the areas in north and central India which are still home to the Royal Bengal Tiger,Ranthambore National Park is the most conveniently located in terms of its proximity to other places of interest (3 hours from Jaipur, 6 hours from Agra) making it an ideal place to try your luck spotting India’s King of the Jungle.

In the area where the three southern states - Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala- meet, three great National Parks adjoin one another, creating a massive area of tropical wilderness with a rich variety of flora and fauna. Mudumalai, Wayanad and Bandipur are the three parks.

Climatic conditions play a role in determining the best time to visit any of these parks. During the monsoon, conditions may hamper travel within the parks. Immediately after the rains undergrowth is lush and thick which may make sightings more difficult. The best time to visit and have a good chance of spotting wildlife is from February to May.

There are many accommodation options in the Ghats ranging from simple jungle camps to fully equipped tree houses and luxury resorts. The services of a resident naturalist are available at many places and your trip will certainly be more informative if you are accompanied by a knowledgeable local. The diversity of animal species in the Ghats is staggering. The area is home to elephant, tiger, leopard and bear. While populations of these iconic species are healthy, the dense undergrowth and extensive territory makes sightings more a matter of luck than anything else.

This is perhaps what makes a sighting such a thrill. In most areas sightings of various species of deer, monkeys and small mammals such as squirrels and mongooses are very common. Bird life is also abundant making the Ghats a bird watchers paradise. The quality and range of activities within the various parks varies greatly depending on whether they are under Government control or privately operated.