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Ranthambore SafariTiger safari & stays
A tiger walks along the shore of Padam Talao at dawn, with Jogi Mahal's ruins and a banyan tree reflected in the misty lake

Ranthambore safari booking:

Book your Ranthambore tiger safari: Gypsy and canter in all 10 zones, a stay near the park, and a local team in Sawai Madhopur. Send your date on WhatsApp and we'll arrange the rest.

Padam Talao, Zone 3, on a winter morning

Core zones open
Oct – Jun
Morning and afternoon
2 shifts
Seats in a Gypsy or canter
6 or 20
Core 1–5, buffer 6–10
10 zones
A tiger walks down a forest track towards the camera while a Gypsy waits behind it
Guests in an open Gypsy watch a tiger walk ahead of them

Most booked

An open six-seater jeep with an experienced driver and an authorised forest guide. It is smaller and quieter than a canter, goes where larger vehicles can't, and gives every seat a clear view for photographs.

Seats
6 guests
Duration
3.5 hours
Zones
1 to 10
Report
30 min early
  • Open 6-seater Gypsy
  • Morning and afternoon shifts
  • Experienced local driver
  • Authorised forest guide
  • Great for photography
  • Core and buffer zones
  • Advance booking help
  • Suits couples, families and photographers

Travelling in a bigger group? The canter seats 20 and costs less per seat.

See canter safari

We book one hotel we know well, close to the park. We book the room and the safari together so the timings line up.

See the hotel and packages

By Jamway Group Of Hotels And Resorts

Aaram Bagh Villa Ranthambore

NH 30, Khandar Road, Ranthambore, Sawai Madhopur

A quiet villa resort under the Aravalli hills, a few minutes' drive from the national park. Rooms open onto hill or pool views, and breakfast is served on the rooftop with the forest in front of you.

Ask about rooms
  • Deluxe rooms and private villas
  • Hill and pool views
  • Swimming pool
  • Rooftop dining
  • Free Wi-Fi and parking
  • Minutes from the park

Both Gypsy and canter follow the same Forest Department schedule, which shifts with sunrise and sunset. Reach the boarding point 30 to 45 minutes before your shift with the original ID used for booking.

Ranthambore safari timings by season
Season Morning Afternoon
1 Oct – 31 Oct6:30 – 10:00 AM2:30 – 6:00 PM
1 Nov – 31 Jan7:00 – 10:30 AM2:00 – 5:30 PM
1 Feb – 31 Mar6:30 – 10:00 AM2:30 – 6:00 PM
1 Apr – 15 May6:00 – 9:30 AM3:00 – 6:30 PM
16 May – 30 Jun6:00 – 9:30 AM3:30 – 7:00 PM

Your vehicle may only enter the zone allotted at booking. Tap a zone on the map or a number to see what it's like. Zone 3 is the one in our opening photograph.

Banas riverChambal riverPadam TalaoRaj BaghMalik TalaoFortMain gateto Sawai Madhopur
Core zones 1–5 Buffer zones 6–10 LakesIllustration, not to scale

Core zone

Zone 3

One of the most visited zones. It holds Padam Talao, the Rajbagh ruins and the Jogi Mahal surroundings, so lakes, old stonework and forest all meet in one drive.

  • Padam Talao
  • Rajbagh ruins
  • Jogi Mahal view
  • Excellent wildlife habitat
Ask about Zone 3
  • Bengal tiger
  • Leopard
  • Sloth bear
  • Sambar
  • Mugger crocodile
  • Striped hyena
  • Nilgai
  • Indian eagle-owl
  • Chital
  • Langur

Tigers are why most people come, but the forest is full of other lives. Sightings depend on season, zone and the animals themselves, so none can be promised.

Two tigers walking together on a forest path
Bengal tigers
A tiger half hidden in tall grass
Mugger crocodiles basking on a rocky lake bank
Mugger crocodiles
A tiger drinks at a waterhole as guests watch from a Gypsy

Also in the forest

  • Royal Bengal tiger
  • Leopard
  • Sloth bear
  • Striped hyena
  • Jackal
  • Jungle cat
  • Sambar deer
  • Chital (spotted deer)
  • Nilgai
  • Wild boar
  • Mugger crocodile
  • Indian hare
  • Langur
  • Peacock
  • Kingfisher
  • Eagles and owls
  • 300+ bird species

Tigers Ranthambore made famous

  • T-16Machali. The most photographed tigress in the world. Lived to 20 and died in 2016.
  • T-17Sundari. Machali's daughter, known for her looks, mostly seen in zones 1 to 5.
  • T-6Romeo. Famous for following Laila around zones 4 and 5.
  • T-41Laila. Recognised by a diamond-shaped marking, seen in zones 4 and 5.
  • T-25Dollar. A dollar-shaped mark on his belly and a fierce temper to match.

Ranthambore is as much history as wilderness. These are the places you'll pass or can visit.

  • Padam Talao

    Padam Talao

    The park's largest lake, covered in water lilies in season. A key water source for wildlife and a reliable spot for migratory and resident birds.

  • Jogi Mahal

    Jogi Mahal

    A former royal hunting lodge beside Padam Talao, now a forest rest house, with one of India's largest banyan trees in its grounds.

  • Ranthambore Fort

    Ranthambore Fort

    A 10th-century hill fort and UNESCO World Heritage Site, with sweeping views over the forest and lakes below.

  • Raj Bagh Talao

    Raj Bagh Talao

    A lake where animals come to drink, which makes it one of the best places in the park for tiger sightings. The Raj Bagh ruins sit between it and Padam Talao.

  • Malik Talao

    Malik Talao

    A small green-fringed lake known for marsh crocodiles basking on its banks, and for resident and migratory birds.

  • Kachida Valley

    Kachida Valley

    Green valley floors, rocky outcrops and low hills at the park's edge. Leopards and sloth bears keep to this quieter ground.

A gharial resting in the shallow water of the Chambal river

Chambal boat safari

A boat ride on the Chambal river at Palighat, about an hour's drive from Ranthambore. Gharials, mugger crocodiles, hundreds of river birds and, with luck, Gangetic dolphins.

About the Chambal safari

The park gate is about 12 km from Sawai Madhopur station on the Delhi–Mumbai line. Jaipur airport is the nearest airport, 3 to 4 hours away by road. We can arrange pickup from either.

Full travel guide by air, rail and road

Road distance to Ranthambore
FromBy roadDrive
Jaipur170 km3–4 hours
Kota140 km2.5–3 hours
Agra250 km4–5 hours
Delhi380 km7–8 hours
Jodhpur390 km7 hours
Udaipur400 km7 hours

Tigers on the tracks, mist on the lakes, crocodiles on the rocks. Tap any photo to see it full screen and swipe through them all.

Open the full gallery

Notes from travellers who booked their safari and stay with us.

More on @rantx_safari
“Booking on WhatsApp took ten minutes. The driver knew the park well and we saw a tigress near Padam Talao on our first drive.”
Rohit Malhotra, DelhiGypsy safari, Zone 3
“Bahut smooth experience tha. Pickup time pe tha, guide ne har bird aur animal ka naam bataya. Next time family ke saath aayenge.”
Priya Shekhawat, JaipurCanter safari
“They booked the hotel and both safaris together, so we never had to worry about timings. Clear about the price from the start.”
Aditya Kulkarni, MumbaiSafari and stay
“Tiger nahi dikha pehle din, lekin leopard aur sloth bear dono dekhe. Second safari mein tiger bhi mil gaya. Paisa vasool!”
Hiral Patel, AhmedabadGypsy safari
“Misty winter morning, a Gypsy to ourselves and a guide who was happy to wait quietly. The best morning of our Rajasthan trip.”
Karthik Reddy, BengaluruMorning safari
“Hotel ekdum peaceful tha, rooftop se pahadon ka view mast tha. Safari ke baad aake araam karne ke liye perfect jagah.”
Ayesha Siddiqui, LucknowAaram Bagh Villa
“Added the Chambal boat ride on their suggestion. Gharials, dolphins and hundreds of birds. Don't skip it.”
Sneha Joshi, PuneChambal boat safari
“Last minute booking thi, phir bhi unhone zone allot karwa diya. Reply bhi jaldi aata hai WhatsApp pe. Highly recommended.”
Vikram Hada, KotaGypsy safari
“Good value and honest advice about which zones to pick in summer. The afternoon drive was hot, but the sightings made up for it.”
Sai Teja, HyderabadTwo safaris
“Bachchon ke saath pehli safari thi. Driver bhaiya ne safety ka poora dhyan rakha aur bachchon ko sab samjhaya. Thank you team!”
Ankit Jain, IndoreFamily trip

Still unsure about something? Ask us on WhatsApp and a local will answer.

How do I book a Ranthambore safari?

Tap any WhatsApp button on this site or call us. Tell us your date, Gypsy or canter, morning or afternoon, and the number of people. We check availability and confirm the details with you directly.

How early should I book a Ranthambore safari?

As early as you can. Seats for weekends, holidays and October to March go fast, especially Gypsy seats. Last-minute seats do sometimes open up, so message us even if your date is close.

What is the best time for a Ranthambore tiger safari?

The core zones run from October to June. October to March is cool and pleasant. April to June is hot, but animals gather near the lakes and waterholes, so sightings are often good.

Can you guarantee a tiger sighting?

No one honestly can. Sightings depend on natural animal movement, weather and the zone. Our drivers and guides know the forest well, which helps, but every safari is different.

How many people fit in a Gypsy or a canter?

A Gypsy seats up to 6 guests plus the driver and forest guide. A canter seats up to 20 guests.

Can I choose my safari zone?

Zones are allotted under the Forest Department booking system and depend on availability. We will tell you what is open for your date, but a specific zone cannot always be promised.

What ID do I need to carry?

The original government photo ID you gave at booking: Aadhaar, passport, driving licence or voter ID. Foreign nationals need their passport.

When is the park open?

Core zones are open from 1 October to 30 June and close for the monsoon. Some buffer zones may run in the monsoon too. Ask us for your dates.

How early should I reach the boarding point?

30 to 45 minutes before your shift. That leaves time for ID checks, guide allocation and boarding. Late arrivals may not be allowed in.

Can children and foreign visitors join?

Yes. Children can join under the park's booking rules, and foreign visitors can book with valid passport details.

Send the safari date, shift and number of guests on WhatsApp. We check availability and reply with the next steps.

Grrr. That's the whole forest. Book a safari?
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