The wildlife of Ranthambore National Park is not new to wildlife lovers in India. One of the iconic animal reserves is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan. It is one of the intriguing tourist destinations that attracts visitors for its bestowed natural beauty, lush greens, hills, & diverse range of flora and fauna. With the mere mention of Ranthambore National Park, the first thing that people relate to it is being the home to royal Bengal tigers, & many other endangered species.
Two rivers that bound this widely famous national park are the Banas River at the north & the Chambal River at the south. With around ten safari zones in Ranthambore, tourists can spot tigers with their cubs, marking individual territorial dominance. Even though these striped big cats are popular attractions here, there are other animals to watch out for.
Ranthambore National Park is an example of wildlife conservation, especially in terms of the tiger population that remained under threat from poachers who hunted these majestic beasts for their skin in large numbers. Currently, there are more than 80 tigers, of which 15 are females, & 11 are male, including the cubs. You can see them roaming & playing around with their mothers in all ten safari zones. Over the last eight years, the population of these ferocious beasts has risen by 45%, which is impressive. Let us bring you a list of animals you can spot in Ranthambore National Park.
Safari zones that lets you explore wildlife of Ranthambore National Park
Exploring wildlife is one of the top activities to do in Ranthambore. This is all possible with ten safari zones where travellers can see tigers with numbers attached to their names. Before we list the animals you can see in this wildlife national park, let us brief you about these safaris to give you an idea of the timings & months to visit.
From 1st Oct to 31st Oct
- Morning: 6:30 AM – 10.00 AM
- Evening: 2:30 PM – 6.00 PM
From 1st Nov to 31st Jan
- Morning: 7:00 AM – 10.30 AM
- Evening: 2:00 PM – 5.30 PM
1st Feb to 31st march
- Morning: 6:30 AM – 10.00 AM
- Evening: 2:30 PM – 6.00 PM
1st April to 15th May
- Morning: 6:00 AM – 9.30 AM
- Evening: 3:00 PM – 6.30 PM
16th May to 30th June
- Morning: 6:00 AM – 9.30 AM
- Evening: 3:30 PM – 7.00 PM
With all the timings listed above to visit the safari zones in Ranthambore National Park, it is also essential to know that they are open from 1st October to 30th June all year. If you visit the national park during the monsoon season from July to September, you won’t get access to all the safari zones, as only Zone 6 to Zone 10 are open for jungle safari.
Top Wildlife In Ranthambore National Park
Besides many places to visit in Ranthambore National Park, tourists are keen to spot animals in their natural surroundings. Being a wildlife enthusiast, it’s impossible to hold your urge to explore wildlife closely. So, putting an end to your curiosity, we bring you a compiled list of animals possibly seen in Ranthambore National Park. The list of course, starts with:
Royal Bengal tigers
Royal Bengal tigers are the main attraction among all other animal species. These ferocious striped wild big cats are now 88 in number as of November 2023 data. It is good to see their population increasing from the previous figure, which was 69 in 2022. Tigers prefer feasting on cattle, zebras, goats, sambars, nilgais, chitals, wild boar, fish, etc.
Wild Boar
Unlike common pigs, wild boars have tusks (only males) that they use as a defensive weapon against predators. These animals are omnivorous as they feast on plants, roots, insects, & snakes. They eat early in the daytime, & late at night.
Nilgai
These large antelopes are attractive with their blue tint colour that shadows their grey coat in the sunlight. Looking at their body structure, they also resemble horses in terms of their high withers & low rump. Their primary source of diet is a variety of grasses they feed on.
Leopards
Leopards are carnivore species with black-spots on their furs. They are opportunistic predators, ambushing their prey with their fatal bite force. After killing, they feast on their flesh on the tree or some secluded spot. These spotted big cats prefer hunting during the daytime. Their primary diet includes antelopes, cattle, monkeys, & other herbivore animals.
Sloth bears
Unlike other bears, Sloth bears have short hind legs with unkempt hair. They usually eat during the night, & rest during the daytime. Their primary diet includes fruits, insects, & honey. Sloth bears also come under the endangered species list, as they have been hunted for their bile, which has medicinal properties.
Crocodiles
Crocodiles are fearsome reptiles with hard skin from the upper body, & softer from the stomach portion. They have short limbs & crawl upon land for sunbathing. But in water, they charge at full speed in devouring their prey with their sharp-edged knife-like teeth. They are found in rivers, lakes, & other large water bodies.
Sambar
Sambar are the horned antelopes with brown, yellow, or greyish colour tones. Their primary food sources are grasses, leaves, & fruits. Sambars are efficient swimmers submerging their bodies in water, keeping their heads over the surface. In Ranthambore, they are one of the preferred meals of Bengal tigers.
Chital
Chitals are white spotted deer with horns to defend themselves from opponents. They can be seen moving in ten to thirty groups, feeding on vegetation, grasses, leaves, & young shoots. They are also the prominent diet of big cats.
Striped hyenas
Striped hyenas are also a part of the wildlife of Ranthambore National Park. These canine species prefer moving in groups & are able hunters in knocking down antelopes & wildebeests. They are known for shoving off leopards, & snatching their prey. Birds, lizards, snakes, & insects are also their preferred diet.
Jungle cat
Jungle cats are bigger & stronger than domestic felines, feeding on rodents, hares, rabbits, fish, frogs, small snakes, insects, & birds. These cats are commonly found in Ranthambore National Park, hiding behind bushes or grassy areas. Jungle cats are solitary preferring finding their homes in tree holes, caves, or under swamp rocks.
Best Wildlife Resorts to Stay in Ranthambore
Ranthambore is famous for its Ranthambore National Park that attracts tourists for its exotic flora & fauna. Housing many wild animals & bird species, the place is really worth visiting during your vacation. So if you plan to visit it, then staying at Bookmark Resorts, Jogi Mahal, Ranthambore is a wise decision to go with. There might be other competitors in the line, but you won’t find the need to go for a long hour browsing, when this 5-star Ranthambore resort is enough to make your stay swathed with luxury & comfort.
Experiencing comfort at luxurious rooms
Coming to its features, the resort comprises 40 well-furnished rooms, acquainted with a private pool or garden view. It is an ideal staycation for wildlife lovers, nature enthusiasts, & adrenaline junkies, as they have the opportunity to immerse in the natural beauty & wilderness of the national park, which is closer to the resort. Comprising 40 well-appointed rooms, all are decked with thoughtful designs & decorations, giving a glimpse of the heritage of the wildlife region.
The use of wooden furnishings in the Premium pool, which comes with the advantage of Aravalli viewing or a Deluxe room facilitated with a plunge pool, is admirable. These luxury rooms are equipped with all sorts of modern amenities that guests expect. Reflecting Rajasthani culture & heritage, you will enjoy every aspect of luxury that comes with comfort, including an open shower area to dip into a heated plunge pool, making you disconnect from the city’s hustle & bustle life.
Planning lifetime events
Bookmark Resorts, Jogi Mahal, Ranthambore, is not just about living with comfort & experiencing luxurious life at higher levels. It is also one of the best wedding resorts in Ranthambore to live your destination wedding dream, which is very popular among young generation couples, with its al-fresco locations, either at the poolside, amphitheatre, or even at the banquet hall, which is capacious to accommodate maximum guests under its roof. If you aim for a grand wedding, your event will surely be a great success with its adequate facilities that would make it possible. Besides celebrating special moments, the resort is best for conducting corporate meetings.
Savouring relishing Rajasthani & international cuisines
When you decide to book this luxury resort for your staycation, then you won’t find the need to look for other alternatives to quench your hunger when Baradari comes as the best dining restaurant in Ranthambore with its spectacular infrastructural outlook through its black-and-white chequered flooring, wooden furnishings, & artistic creativity adorning the walls. You can order Rajasthani & international cuisines, depending on your taste buds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wildlife Of Ranthambore National Park
Q. Is Ranthambore a good destination for tiger sightings?
A. Ranthambore boasts of being the best wildlife destination in being the home of tigers in large numbers.
Q. Which animals can be spotted in Ranthambore apart from Royal Bengal Tigers?
A. Besides looking for Bengal tigers, you can spot leopards, sloth bears, sambar deer, palm civets, striped hyenas, spotted deer, and marsh crocodiles.
Q. What kind of birds can be seen in Ranthambore National park?
A. Ranthambore National Park is a paradise for birdwatchers, with 300 avifauna species and migratory birds. Some birds found here include kingfisher, nightjar, serpent eagle, sandpiper, great-horned owl, etc.
Q. Are there elephants in Ranthambore National Park?
A. No, there are no elephants found in Ranthambore National Park.
Q. Which is the best time to visit safari zones in Ranthambore National Park?
A. Safari zones in Ranthambore National Park are available in morning & evening timings from October to June.
Q. Are there any top resorts in Ranthambore for stay?
A. Bookmark Resorts, Jogi Mahal, Ranthambore, is the top-rated resort to experience luxury & comfort with its spectacular features & world-class amenities.