Chital herds are found in almost all areas of the park. Nilgai antelope (unchanged since prehistory) walk about unafraid in photographing distance (close to your vehicle).

Wild boar particularly love the lakeshores and can be seen rooting about in search of nutritious tubers that grow underwater.

Troupes of langur monkeys, young ones in tow, will keep you entertained for hours with their antics, but beware... they have been known to urinate on unsuspecting tourists who pause too long under their canopy perches!

There are several roosting colonies of fruit bats in the forest and guides will point these out to you if you ask them.

The reptiles of Ranthambhore including marsh crocodiles or muggers (easily seen basking in the early hours of day in winter), soft-shelled turtles, monitor lizards and (less frequently seen) pythons, cobras, rat snakes, whip snakes and water-dwelling chequered keelbacks.

With luck and patience, you could see the tiger, leopard, jungle cat, sloth bear, hyena and jackal. But remember that cats are secretive by nature and the hyena and jackal are not present in large numbers and are consequently difficult to spot.

Always expect the unexpected. Even when the jungle seems still and 'un-happening' excitement lurks. You can be sure for instance that hidden tigers and leopards are watching you from the safety of tall grasses.

Birdlife

Ranthambhore is undoubtedly one of the world's finest bird habitats attracting visitors from across the globe.

Species recorded here (ask for a check list from the office of the Field Director) include the Crested Serpent Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Great Indian Horned Owl, Grey Partridge, Common Sandgrouse, Quail, Red Spur Fowl, Common Pea Fowl, Tree Pie, Paradise Fly Catcher, Pheasant Tailed Jacana, Painted Stork, White Necked Stork, Spoonbill, Green Pigeon, Whitebacked Vulture, King Vulture, Whitebreasted Kingfisher, Spotted Dove, Ring Dove, Coucal, and the Goldenbacked Woodpecker.

The three lakes that are so central to the megafauna are also ideal spots to see waders and waterfowl like Snipe, Coots, Grebes, Black-tailed Godwits, Sandpipers and Cotton Teal. Large and Median Egrets can sometimes be seen hitching a ride on the backs of half-submerged sambar deer; picking ticks off their backs.

Birds recognise no physical boundaries and visit villages on the fringes of the park, which make for excellent birding spots in the hours between the morning and evening forest rounds (11 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.).

Trails & Excursions

Animals are most active just after the sun rises and when it is about to set. At this time the forest is alive with magic as sunlight and shadows play tricks on your eyes. Try to be among the first visitors to enter the park in the morning when everything is fresh and wildlife sightings are most likely. Birds are on the hunt and in winter a soft mist is rising from the lakes.

Once drained for agriculture, the three perennial main lakes are integral to the success of Ranthambhore. They stand out in stark contrast against the rest of arid, deforested, desertified Rajasthan, where rivers run dry as soon as the rains end.

After the heat of the day, chital, sambar, wild boar and langur tend to graze in the open in the cool of the night and their alarm calls can frequently be heard, signifying that the tiger is on the move.

At dusk, as you are leaving the park, the slow, sleepy pace of most creatures turns more purposeful. Birds are looking for food before roosting for the night. Tigers are about. Secretive and alert, the great cats have excellent eyesight and depend on stealth to hunt and survive. There are good chances of seeing one.

Visitors cannot stay in the park after nightfall, but this is when civets, hyenas, porcupines and hares are most active.