The Ranthambore National Park is remarkably one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in India that follows the lead after the likes of the oldest Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve. I have been to this wildlife park quite a few times in the past, and every time I visit Ranthambore, I am blown away by its diversity, wildlife, natural beauty, and landscapes.
From the tigers to the Ranthambore fort, it has a rich history associated with every aspect, and today in this blog, I am going to walk you through the five very interesting facts that you, as a wildlife explorer, must know about this year’s old natural gem that has, and always keeps on attracting explorers towards it. Also, you can explore my YouTube Channel, where I post exciting videos about my wildlife adventures across India.
Image Credit: ranthamborenationalpark
Table of Contents
Where is Ranthambore National Park?
Situated in the state of Rajasthan, Ranthambore National Park falls in the southern region of the state between the Aravalli and Vindhya hill ranges. It falls under the Sawai Madhopur district and offers a perfect mix of landscapes that comprises forests, lakes, and the historic Ranthambore Fort.
It’s very near Jaipur, which acts as the main transportation hub for the region. If you are travelling to this national park, you can first get to Jaipur by your preferred mode of transport and then reach Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary with a Tourist or Safari Guide as per your itinerary.
Historical Origins and Transformation
The history of the wildlife sanctuary dates back to the Jaipur Royal Family in the 1950s. The area served as their hunting ground for hundreds of years and was originally established as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in the year 1955.
Later, it evolved into the Ranthambore National Park, which we know today, and it has been a key inclusion in the Project Tiger also in the year 1973.
The wildlife there, including the famous tigers of Ranthambore, had seen a steep decline over the last couple of years. That’s why it was in the original 9 tiger reserves that were included under the government-initiated wildlife conservation project. Today, the remaining tigers there thrive in prosperity guarded by the rules of the wildlife department of India.
Earlier, the tigers of Ranthambore were hunted and killed in broad daylight. But with Project Tiger, Ranthambore has become a wildly successful tiger conservation story in our country.
Ranthambore Fort History & Its Distinct UNESCO Heritage Status
The Ranthambore fort has a rich and unique history, which makes it a crown jewel of the region surrounding the national park. It has been termed as a UNESCO World Heritage site that sits above 700 feet above the surrounding land level. Rajput king Sapaldaksha of the Chauhan Dynasty built it in the year 944 AD.
The Ranthambore fort history dates back over a 100 years of long battles and changing dynasties that ruled this region. Today, it’s one of the most popular tourist spots for even wildlife enthusiasts who come to this region to explore the natural landscapes.
The fort’s location is very strategic. It also offers visitors an exceptional panoramic view of the surroundings. Inside the fort, you can find temples of Ganesh, Shiva, and Ramlalji. It also has a few other Jain temples, and all of these were constructed somewhere around the 12th-13th century. Every year, thousands of visitors, including nature lovers and wildlife explorers, visit this place. It’s one of those few places in the country where wildlife and spirituality coexist in harmony.
Ranthambore’s Famous Tigers: Popular Across Indian Wildlife Community
Ranthambore National Park serves as one of the most successful tiger conservation stories. Today, it has a population of about 80+ tigers with a healthy proportion of males and females. Earlier, when the Project Tiger was initiated, it had a significantly low tiger population back in the 1970s. But today, it boasts of a healthy tiger population which are active in the day and often spotted by the wildlife enthusiast who visits its various zones on Jungle Safaris.
In 2023, Ranthambore National Park completed 50 years of Project Tiger with extraordinary results. Today, the wildlife department has implemented strict protection measures and constant forest guard patrolling to prevent and minimize human-animal conflicts. Tigers in the Ranthambore region have remarkable reproductive health and can often produce more than one cub every 1-2 years.
Machli: One of the Legendary Tigers of Ranthambore
Often referred to as the Queen of Ranthambore, Machli was one of the famous tigresses that went by the annotation T-16. Born in 1996, Machli got her name due to the presence of a distinctive fish-shaped mark on her left ear. Passed on genetically from her mother.
Machli is still famous amongst the entire Indian wildlife community as her stories of fearlessness and hunting various dangerous animals make for some of the most interesting wildlife encounters and incidents. One of the most legendary stories of Machli is that of her capturing a 14-foot crocodile in an epic power battle. She was incredibly strong and had great hunting instincts.
Machli lived for almost 19 years and gave birth to 9 cubs, which played a significant role in tiger conservation efforts in the region. She was a famous attraction for wildlife tourists and nature lovers. In terms of revenue, she played a crucial role in boosting the local tourism significantly for both the Ranthambore National Park and related businesses indirectly.
Ranthambore’s Arrowhead Tiger: The Descendant of Machli
Arrowhead was the granddaughter of Machli and went by the annotation of T-84. She was the descendant of Machli and thus fearless and strong in her conduct. She came from a renowned tiger bloodline and was known everywhere due to her grip over multiple zones of Ranthambore National Park.
Arrowhead was one of the most famous and photographed tigresses in the region during jungle safaris. She was frequently spotted everywhere and was clearly way ahead of every other tiger in terms of wildlife spotting. Over the years that followed, she gave birth to various cubs, which were captured by multiple photographers as unforgettable wildlife memories.
Unfortunately, she passed away at the age of 14 in June 2025 due to multiple reasons. She was an iconic tigress of Ranthambore and will be remembered for years to come. Arrowhead became significantly ill during her last few days, which led to her death. She will always remain as a symbol of strength, courage, and beauty.
Ranthambore is an Exceptional Spot for Jungle Safaris & Tiger Spotting
The Ranthambore National Park consists of 10 zones, which help in seamlessly managing visitor inflow. Zone 1-5 are the core zones while zone 6-10 falls in the buffer zone areas. The core and buffer zone areas are open throughout the year except for the monsoon season. While the core zone closes during the monsoon, the buffer zone areas remain partially open. You can do both morning and evening safaris during the summer and winter months.
Temperatures can go to extreme limits, as during summer visitors can experience up to 45 degrees, while during winter it drops to 2 degrees Celsius. Therefore, the best time to visit is during October and March, as during this time the weather remains bearable and the wildlife activity is also very high. Ranthambore is also very famous for migratory birds.
Remarkable Biodiversity and Recognition of Ranthambore
Apart from tigers, the Ranthambore National Park has an immensely unique biodiversity and wildlife. It houses more than 0 mammal species, including leopards, sloth bears, striped hyenas, caracals, jungle cats, wild boars, and various deer species such as Sambar and Chital species.
Apart from that, it has over 300 species of birds surviving in this region, including both resident species and migratory ones. Some of the most recognizable ones include Crested Serpent Eagle, Great Hornbill, Painted Stork, and various kingfishers. During the winter season, the region sees a diverse inflow of migratory birds from central Asian regions.
The vegetation and flora primarily consist of dry forests dominated by the Dhok tree. As per the last survey, Ranthambore and its various zones house over 300 species of plants. Apart from that, it has various popular lakes such as the Padam Talao, Raj Bagh Talab, and Malik Talab, which serve as vital sources of water for wildlife nearby. Another interesting factor is that Ranthambore National Park houses 450+ crocodiles and has approximately 50 water bodies in total.
Last, but not least, Ranthambore wildlife park has numerous architectural integrations such as ancient ruins, temples, and Mahals spread across the region, which adds to its remarkable ancient heritage.
All of this has made Ranthambore National Park one of the most visited wildlife sanctuaries in India, after the oldest Jim Corbett National Park.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ranthambore Fort History spans which dynasties?
In the past, the Ranthambore fort has seen the reigns of many dynasties. These include Chauhans, Mewars, Hada Rajputs, and Kachwaha Maharajas of Jaipur. Originally, Maharaja Jayanta made it in the fifth century AD. Later, Prithviraj Chauhan took it over in the twelfth century.
What are the jungle safari timings in Ranthambore?
Morning safari starts around 6 AM, depending on the weather conditions. While, on the other hand, the evening Safari continues until 7 PM, depending on the weather again. Wildlife explorers can avail both jeep safari and canter safari options based on their needs. You must book your trip at least 30-45 days in advance.
What led Ranthambore to gain global recognition in the Indian Wildlife Space?
This Ranthambore National Park has been covered by famous media houses. These include BBC, National Geographic, and many more. It led global audiences to recognize Ranthambore as an integral part of Indian wildlife. Apart from that, renowned Indian wildlife conservationist Valmik Thapar has made many documentaries on Ranthambore. This too contributed in attracting global attention.
What led to the death of the Arrowhead tiger?
In her last days, she was significantly ill due to bone cancer and a tumour. Also, she had a vicious face-off with a crocodile during her last days. This led to her health decline and eventually her death in June 2025. Although she left us, she will always be in our hearts for years to come.
What to Pack for a Jungle Safari to the Ranthambore National Park?
I have compiled a list of all essential+additional items to carry for a jungle Safari Trip in India. This applies to across all Indian National Parks. You can go through my detailed jungle safari packing checklist blog . This will help you get a better understanding of the items needed for a seamless and memorable trip.
