Near the town of Sawal Madhopur, midway between Bharatpur and Kota, Ranthambhore National Park is one of the prime examples of Project Tiger’s conservation efforts in Rajasthan.

There’s reasonable chance of seeing one, but you should plan on two or three safaris. Other wildlife, especially the larger and smaller herbivores, are more numerous, and there’s also a considerable bird population here.

The park itself covers some 1334 sq km and its scenery is very beautiful. A system of lakes and rivers is hemmed in by steep, high crags and on top of one of these is the Ranthambhore Fort, built in the 10the century. The tower ground alternates between open bushland and fairly dense forest and is peppered with ruined pavilions, chhatris and ‘hides’ – the area was formerly a hunting preserve of the maharajas.

The best time to visit the park is between October and April, and the park is close during The monsoon from 1 July to 1 October. Early morning and late afternoon are generally the best time for spotting wildlife.