Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is one of the biggest and most renowed tiger reserves in Rajasthan. It comprises of Ranthambore National Park, Sawaimadhopur Sanctuary, Sawaiman Singh sanctuary, Keladevi sanctuary and part of National Gharial Sanctuary besides other forest areas. It is tucked between the rugged Aravali and Vindhya hills. It is bounded to the north by the Banas river and to the south by the Chambal river. It is dry deciduous forests and open grassy meadow. It boasts a spectacular landscape filled with boulder-strewn highland plateaus, lakes and rivers-dotted with old forts and abandoned mosques- creating a wonderful ecosystem for both bird and mammal viewing.

Location
It is headquatered Sawai madhopur district Where the areas of Karauli, Bundi, Kota and Tonk districts are also included. The Nearest railway station is Sawai madhopur,. The distance from Jaipur is 166 km and distance from Delhi is 352 km . The Nearest airport is Jaipur International Airport.

Legal Status and Extent
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve has an area of 1503.23 kms when core was declared in 2007 and Buffer in 2012 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. The reserve is divided into 2 Forest Divisions (1. Deputy conservator of Forests and Deputy Field Director (I) Ranthambore Tiger Project Sawai Madhopur 2. Deputy Forest Conservator and Deputy Field Director (II) in Ranthambore Tiger Project Karauli is divided 934.92 sq km under Sawai Madhopur Forest Division and Karauli Forest, Some areas are under the jurisdiction of DCF Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve, Bundi. Out of the total area, 1113.36 sq km. was declared as Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) vide State Government Order No. F.3 (34) Forest/2007/ dated 28.12.2007 and 297.92 sq km was declared as buffer area by the State Government’s Order No. F.3 (34) Forest/2007/ dated 06.07.2012 which was further increased by 123.30 sq km vide notification No.F.3(15) Forest/2023 dated 5.10.2023

Flora and Fauna
The most dominant tree is Dhok (Anogeissus pendula). This tropical tree constitutes more than three-fourth of the vegetation of this forest. Apart from the Dhok tree, other important trees of this park are Banyan (Ficus bengalnesis), Peepal (Ficus religiosa) and Neem (Azadirachta indiaca). The fruit trees which are prominently found in the Ranthambore are Mango (Mangifera indica), Tamarind (Tamarind indicus indica), Jamun (Syzygium cumini), Ber (Zizyphus Mauritania), Chhila ( Butea monosperma), Kadam (Authocephalus cadamba), Khair (Accacia catechu), Khajur (Phoenix sylvestris), Gum (Sterculia urens), Mahua (Madhuca indica), Salar (Boswellia serrata), Tendu ( Diospyrus melanoxylon),. Lotus and water lilies are important aquatic flora found in the lakes of Ranthambore and the edges of the lakes are draped with Khus grass.

The details of biodiversity are as follows –
– 6 species of cat family in RTR – Tiger, Leopard, Caracal, Jungle cat, Desert cat and Rusty spotted cat – 03 species of dog family – hyena, wolf and jackal

– 02 species of mongoose – Indian Grey mongoose and Ruddy mongoose

– 38 species of mammals – Sloth bear, Chital, Sambar, Chinkara, Nilgai, Wild boar, Porcupine, Hare etc.

– 315 species of birds – Asian paradise fly catcher, Indian skimmer, Pochards, Owls, Darters, Storks etc.

– 35 species of reptiles – Turtles, Crocodile, Cobra, Krait, Vipers (Russell, Saw scale), Ratsnake, Python, Trinket, Checkered keelback, Cat snake etc.

– 402 species of plants – Dhonk, Salar, Khair, Ronj, Tendu, Kachanar, Bair, Kadam, Bamboo, Chila, Dhaman grass, Khas grass etc. are important species found.

Tourism
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and other wildlife sites are internationally renowned for tourism. Lakhs of tourists from India and abroad come to Sawai madhopur for wildlife tourism in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve Vehicle bend safari operated in 10 zones Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. The booking for safari is available online. Boating is also available at Palighat on river Chambal for which online booking can be done.

Zone No – 1

– Safari routes – Singhdwar, Raipur, Amreshawardang, Tuti Ka Nalla, Sultanpur, Gadadub, Khariya Chatha, Katt-padi deh, Gadadub view point, Kalapani anicut, Pilapani and back singhdwar exit.

– Length (km) – 20

Zone No – 2

– Safari routes – Jogimahal Gate, Jhalra, Kamaldha, Amrai, Footabandha, Pandudeh, Guda, Gandhria, Polkiya, Jogimahal Gate.

– Length (km) – 20

Zone No – 3

– Safari routes – Jogimahal Gate, Padam Talab, Rajbagh, Mandook, High Point, Jogimahala Gate.

– Length (km) – 18

Zone No – 4

– Safari routes – Singdwar, Tambakhan, Maliktalab, Lakarda, Berda, Semali, Adidant, Singdwar.

– Length (km)- 27

Zone No – 5

– Safari routes – Singdwar, Jokha, Kachida, Dhakara, Bagdah, Bakola, Anatpura, Singhdwar

– Length (km) – 18

Zone No – 6

– Safari routes – (Kundal) Rajbag naka, Pallidarwaja, Kundal area, Patawabaori, Mansarovar, Guda,

– Length (km) – 27

Zone No – 7

– Safari routes – (Chidi kho) Rajbag naka, Chidikho, Jamoda, Kushalidarra.

– Length (km) – 12

Zone No – 8

– Safari routes – (Balas) Balas, Neemalidang, Kalibhat, Kharai, Mahakho

– Length (km) – 16

Zone No – 9

– Safari routes – Qualji, New Talai, Ghati ka Tiraha, Kamleshwar Mandir view point, Chakal Nadi Road, Pandu kho, Gajipur Tiraha, Gajipur & Devpura.

– Length (km) – 22

Zone No – 10

– Safari routes – Halonda, Kailashpuri, Antari, Bebri, Jojeswar Mandir view Point, Devpura Band

– Length (km) – 20