Brought to you by Luxury Taj Tours
Ranthambore National Park in southeastern Rajasthan is one of the best places in the world to see the Bengal tiger in the wild. Unlike many tiger reserves where sightings require enormous luck, Ranthambore's tigers have become accustomed to safari vehicles over decades of Project Tiger protection - most guests see a tiger on at least one of their safaris.
The Park and Its History
Ranthambore spans 1,334 square kilometres of dense jungle, grasslands, and lakes centred around the dramatic 10th-century Ranthambore Fort - whose crumbling walls and temples, now inhabited only by langur monkeys, provide one of wildlife photography's most extraordinary backdrops. Three lakes - Padam Talao, Malik Talao, and Gyarh Talao - concentrate animals beautifully during safari hours. The park became famous through the legendary tigress Machli (T-16), dubbed Lady of the Lake, who hunted mugger crocodiles many times her size and was the most photographed tiger in history before her death in 2016.
- Approximately 75 tigers resident within park boundaries
- Ranthambore Fort - 10th-century citadel inside the park
- Three lakes ideal for big cat sightings at the water's edge
- Mugger crocodile, leopard, sloth bear, and 320+ bird species
Safari Zones and Booking
The park divides into 10 zones. Zones 1–5 around the lakes and fort area give the highest tiger frequency and are the priority for any visit. Safaris run twice daily - morning from 6:30 AM and afternoon from 2:30 PM. The Gypsy jeep safari (6 passengers + naturalist) is strongly preferred over the larger Canter bus for photography and flexibility. Safari bookings fill weeks in advance during peak season - book 30–45 days ahead.
- Book Zones 1–5 for best tiger probability
- Morning safari: 6:30 – 10:00 AM | Afternoon: 2:30 – 6:00 PM
- Gypsy jeep (6 persons) preferred over Canter for photography
- Advance booking: 30–45 days ahead during Oct–Feb peak season
Best Time to Visit and How to Get Here
October to February brings comfortable weather and lush post-monsoon vegetation. March to May is the hottest period but offers the highest tiger sighting probability, as animals concentrate around shrinking lakes during safari hours. The park closes June to September for the monsoon. Ranthambore sits perfectly between Jaipur (160 km) and Agra (160 km), making a 2-night extension to any Golden Triangle itinerary straightforward - adding four safari slots while keeping the classic circuit intact.
- Oct–Feb: comfortable weather, lush jungle
- Mar–May: hottest but highest tiger sighting probability
- Jun–Sep: park closed for monsoon
- 160 km from both Jaipur and Agra - ideal Golden Triangle add-on
Practical Information
We include Ranthambore in our Heritage & Wildlife combo tours with guaranteed morning and evening safaris.
