Ranthambore Tiger Safari

Safari in Ranthambor, Sawai Madhopur

Overview

Welcome to the Tiger Safari City of Rajasthan, "Sawai Madhopur." It was built as a planned city by Maharaja Shri Sawai Madhosingh from 1751 to 1768, and the city was named after him. The tiger reserve got its name from the majestic Ranthambore Fort, built on an Aravalli hilltop right in the heart of the jungle, which served as a hunting lodge for the Maharajas and other royal family members.

Spread over an area of 282 sq km, Ranthambore is one of the finest wildlife reserves in the country for spotting tigers. You can easily witness the majestic striped beauty sitting in a water body, walking on the road, or just lazing under the morning sun during safari time. The park's core area opens up for safari drives from 1st October to 30th June every year. The park's buffer area remains open throughout the year, even during the monsoons.

The reserve area is divided into 10 safari zones or routes, and you can explore the wildlife in an open gypsy or canter during the morning or afternoon shift, as per booking availability. The Ranthambore Tiger Safari booking service is available for all the zones of the park. It is recommended to book safaris in advance for Ranthambore as limited vehicles are allowed to go inside per shift. All procedures of Ranthambore Safari booking for jeeps and canters are fully administered and managed by the state forest department.

Fast Facts:

• Late Rajput King Sapaldaksha of the Chauhan Dynasty laid the foundation of Ranthambore Fort during the mid-10th century.
• Ranthambore has been named after its famous 1000-year-old Ranthambore Fort built by the erstwhile rulers.
• It was established as Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955, declared a Project Tiger reserve in 1973, and became a national park on 1st November 1980.
• The total area of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is 17000 sq km, spreading over four districts.
• It is the world's driest Tiger Habitat, with temperatures reaching up to 48 degrees Celsius.
• It has one of the largest banyan trees in the country.
• Machali (T-16) holds the title for the most photographed tiger in the world.
• It is also famous for its lesser-known species like the Indian Pangolin, Indian Ratel, Indian Grey Wolf, Rusty Spotted Cat, Caracal, etc.
• The park's core area is closed from July to September due to the monsoon season.

Flora

Ranthambore Tiger Reserve falls under the dry and deciduous forest category. It has a combination of dry tropical forests, lakes, streams, rocky terrain, and grassy meadows. Over 300 tree species, 40 shrub species, and 20 grass species are recorded here. The most dominant tree species is "Dhok" (Anogeissus pendula), which survives in both the Aravalli and Vindhyan Mountain ranges. It also acts as a fodder tree for the huge herbivore populations in the park. The bird life is supported by large fruit-bearing trees like Banyan (Ficus bengalensis), Pipal (Ficus religiosa), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Mango (Magnifera indica), Gular (Ficus glomerata), Tamarind (Tamarindicus indica), Jamun (Syzygium cumini), Ber (Zizyphus Mauritania), Bor (Zizyphus nummularia), etc.

Other main trees are Khair (Acacia catechu), Dhak (Butea monosperma), Reonj (Acacia leucophloea), Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon), Salar (Boswellia serrata), Babul (Acacia nilotica), Gum (Sterculia urens), Gurjan (Lannea coromandelica), Khajur (Phoenix sylvestris), Kakera (Flacourtia indica), etc. The small tree or shrub species include Goya Khair (Dichrostachys cineraria), Khejri (Prosopis cineraria), Pilu (Salvadora oleoides), Chabeni (Grewia tenax), Jaal (Capparis sepiaria), etc. Over 136 species of grasses and sedges are recorded here, according to the Botanical Survey of India. A jungle safari in the park will offer you an unmatched experience surrounded by the jungle greens recorded here.

Fauna

Ranthambore is the perfect habitat for close encounters with the tiger, the apex predator here. Tigers are frequently sighted in this park as they have evolved for diurnal as well as nocturnal behavior, meaning more movement in the daytime and more sightings for jungle visitors. The park is home to over 40 mammal species, including some very elusive, rare, and lesser-known mammals. Among the mammals, seven cat species are recorded here: Leopards, Leopard cat, Desert cat, Caracal, Fishing cat, Jungle cat, and Rusty Spotted Cat. This is a record for having eight cat species in one reserve. Among canids, Golden Jackal, Indian Fox, White Footed Fox, and the rare Indian Grey Wolf are recorded here. Other mammals recorded here are the Striped Hyena, Sloth Bear, Indian Ratel, Palm Civet, Ruddy Mongoose, Rufous-tailed Hare, Indian Boar, Indian Pangolin, Rhesus Macaque, Indian Hedgehog, Porcupine, etc. Two species of deer, namely Spotted Deer and Sambhar Deer, and two species of antelopes, the Indian Gazelle and the Bluebull (Nilgai), form the major group of herbivores here.

Over 330 species of birds (resident and migratory) are recorded here, making it a paradise for bird watchers. Painted Spurfowl, Sarus Crane, Bronzed-winged Jacana, Sandpiper, Nightjar, Great Horned Owl, Dusky Eagle Owl, Painted Sandgrouse, Crested Serpent Eagle, King Vulture, Pitta, Sirkeer Malkoha, and more are recorded here and can be seen during safari time. The mesmerizing waterfowl around the lake, vultures soaring high in the sky, and raptors perched on dry hilltop trees provide enchanting views for birding.

The park is also rich in its Herpetofauna, recording over 24 snake species and 12 lizard species. Additionally, 45 species of butterflies and 50 species of spiders roam freely near the host plants.

With such a huge variety of species, you are bound to see not just the tiger but also many other forest species during your visit.

Best Time To Visit

Winters (October to March) are the best time to visit the park, as the weather is pleasant and optimal for wildlife sightings. You can observe a lot of diurnal activity by the big cats during this time. However, temperatures can drop as low as 3 degrees Celsius during peak winters.
Summers are also a good time to visit if you have photography in mind. The dry grass and shrubs provide clear and crisp photography opportunities. The temperatures can get very hot, reaching up to 47 degrees Celsius, making it challenging to be out in the sun. However, the chances of tiger sightings are relatively high during summers, as tigers often laze around near water bodies during the day.
During the monsoon, the core area of the park remains closed, and only some zones in the buffer area remain open. Wildlife sightings are relatively low during this time, as there is ample drinking water available throughout the park, and the thick bushes provide good cover for tigers to move around unnoticed.

How To Reach

By Air: Jaipur is the nearest international airport, located around 180 km (2 hours 30 minutes' drive) from Ranthambore. Delhi is the second nearest international airport, around 350 km away (5 hours' drive with the new expressway). Both airports are well-connected with domestic and international flights. Taxis and cabs are available at the airports for transportation. Pre-booking is recommended.

By Rail: Sawai Madhopur is the nearest railway station, located around 7 km from the Ranthambore Reserve entry gate. If you prefer to arrive in a bigger city, Jaipur Station is the nearest major railway station. The train journey from Jaipur Junction to Ranthambore takes approximately 2 hours (in some trains). Jaipur Station is well-connected with major cities like Udaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, etc.

By Road: Ranthambore is easily accessible by road from major cities like Delhi (via NH48 + NE4, approximately five hours' drive, 350 km), Jaipur (via NH52 + NH552, approximately two and a half hours' drive, 180 km), Bharatpur (via NH21, approximately 243.5 km), and Udaipur (via NH27, approximately 406.8 km). These cities are further connected to major cities across India.

You can use your own vehicle, book a taxi service with us, or opt for state bus services. Pre-booking train services is also recommended for a hassle-free journey.

Charges
Timing

INDIAN NATIONALS
	GYPSY(max. 6pax)	CANTER(Max. 20 Pax)
Price Per Person	1700	1250
Exclusive Vehicle	10000	21000
Foreign Nationals
	GYPSY(max. 6pax)	CANTER(Max. 20 Pax)
Price Per Person	3400	2600
Exclusive Vehicle	20000	49000

Period	Morning Trip	Afternoon Trip
1 October to 31 October	6:30 AM to 10:00 AM	2:30 PM to 06:00 PM
1 November to 31 January	7:00 AM to 10:30 AM	2:00 PM to 05:30 PM
1 February to 31 March	6:30 AM to 10:00 AM	2:30 PM to 06:00 PM
1 April to 16 May	6:00 AM to 09:30 AM	3:00 PM to 06:30 PM
17 May to 30 June	6:00 AM to 09:30 AM	3:30 PM to 07:00 PM

Know Before you Go

Full permit fees must be paid in advance for safaris.
ID proof is compulsory for every visitor, and you must carry the same ID as provided during the booking.
Booking is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged with anyone.
You can book your safari a maximum of 364 days in advance.
Passport details are mandatory for foreign tourists to make reservations.
Safari permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability.
The park may be closed without prior notice to visitors.
In the event of any fee revision after booking, visitors will be required to pay the difference at the time of entry into the park.
Visitors are required to report to the boarding place 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of the safari.
We act as a travel agent for booking your safari at the national park and will not be responsible for any accidents, injuries, thefts, or deaths during the safari excursion.
Please note that the selection of safari driver or naturalist guide is not in our hands. It is determined by the automated roster system implemented by the forest department to ensure an equal distribution of safari vehicles in each zone according to carrying capacity.
In case your safari is not booked due to reasons like technical errors or non-availability of seats, we will refund the entire amount to your provided bank account. You will be informed accordingly.
As per the booking policy of the state government, approximately 140 vehicles (52 Canters and 88 Gypsies) can enter the park in one shift (as of June 1st, 2023).
Vehicle allotments are made on the same day as the safari date.

FAQ

Which is a better mode for jungle safari - jeep or canter?

Both safari vehicles are good and have their own pros and cons. The choice of vehicle depends on the group size. If it's a large group, a canter is preferred, while a gypsy is preferred for a family of 4 or 6.
Price-wise, the gypsy is more expensive than the canter, but it offers a more personalised experience.
Availability-wise, canters are generally available near the date of travel, while gypsies are limited and rarely available without a 90-100 day advance booking.
Structure-wise, both vehicles are designed for safari viewing and have open tops. The canter has the advantage of height and better vision, while the gypsy has the advantage of manoeuvring through narrow treks and roads.

What do we require to book a safari permit online?

To book a safari online, we require your full name, age, and any government-authorised identity card (such as a driving licence, Aadhaar card, or passport number for non-Indians) for each person travelling. You also need to provide the date and shift of the safari. Additionally, you are required to pay the full price of the safari booking in advance.

How many zones are there in Ranthambore?

There are 10 zones in Ranthambore.

How many entry gates are there in Ranthambore? Do different zones have different entry gates?

Zones 1 to 5 have a common entry gate located on Ranthambore Road, known as Ganesh Dhaam Entry Gate. After entering from the common entry gate, the safari vehicle further enters the allocated safari zone gate inside the reserve.
Zones 6 to 10 have separate entry gates, which take more time to reach compared to Zones 1 to 5.

How many days in advance can I book the Ranthambore safari?

Safaris can be booked up to 364 days in advance.

How many tigers are there in Ranthambore?

As of March 2022, over 65 tigers have been recorded in Ranthambore.

Is it suitable for small children to go on a tiger safari?

Yes, it is suitable for children to go on a tiger safari. There is no entry fee for children below 5 years of age.

What are the safari timings in the Ranthambore National Park?

The safari timings in the Ranthambore National Park are based on the timings of sunrise and sunset. The safari is allowed half an hour after sunrise until half an hour before sunset. Therefore, the safari entry timings vary with the change of the season.

What do we require to book a permit online?

To book a safari online, we require the full name, address, and any government-authorised identity card number (such as a voter ID, driving licence, PAN card, etc., or passport number for foreign tourists) of each person. Along with the personal details, you also need to provide the date and shift for the safari. You are required to pay the full price of the safari booking in advance.

How much payment do I have to make in advance for the safari booking?

You need to pay the entire amount for the safari booking in advance. The safari booking is controlled by the government authority at Ranthambore National Park, and the safari is booked only after full payment. The confirmed safari booking is non-refundable, non-transferable, and non-adjust

What to Carry While Visiting Ranthambore?

During summers, from April to June, temperatures can soar up to 45 degrees Celsius. It is recommended to carry ample drinking water, goggles, hats, a scarf, and preferred earthy-coloured cotton clothing.
During the winter season, from November to mid-February, temperatures can drop to 2 degrees Celsius inside the reserve. It is highly recommended to carry heavy woollen jackets, warmers, ear muffs, and hand gloves.

Which Is Better - Morning Safari or Afternoon Safari?

Both the morning and afternoon safaris offer an equal wildlife viewing experience, and tiger sightings can happen in both shifts. However, considering the chances of tiger sightings, the morning safari has slightly better chances than the afternoon safari.
Tigers tend to avoid the harsh sun rays and usually don't come out in the open when the sun is strong. Therefore, during the summer season, the morning safari is better for tiger sightings.
During the winter season, the afternoon safari offers better chances of tiger sightings as tigers can be found basking in the sun. So, in summary, the morning safari is better in summer, and the afternoon safari is better in the winter season.