Safari Zone ||  How to Book Safari  ||  Safari Vehicles  ||  Safari Timings  ||  Safari Terms & Conditions

Ranthambore National Park is one of the best places to explore different types of wildlife during the Jungle Safari. Advance Online Ranthambore Jungle Safari Ticket Booking is opened 365 days before the travel date of the park. Visitors can book tickets for the jungle safari at Ranthambore a year in advance. Jungle Safari at Ranthambore is one of the most popular options to raise awareness about wild animals and to admire the beautiful landscape in the Tiger Reserve. Through the Jungle Safari in Ranthambore National Park one can find out about the diversity of wild animals living in the forest.

Ranthambore National Park has safari twice a day from October to June, one starts in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Jungle safari tour in Ranthambore National Park by jeep (an open 06 seater top Maruti Gypsy) or canter (an open 20 seater top bus) lasts for 3 hours. The entry and exit times of the park are fixed, which varies with the change of seasons.  For Jungle Safari you will visit the park in Canter or Jeep, both these safari vehicles are comfortable and well equipped for viewing. Our trackers are from families who have known the jungle and its animals for generations.

Jungle safari is the best option to explore wildlife in Ranthambore National Park and seeing Tiger in Ranthambore makes your jungle safari more thrilling. The dry deciduous forests and grasslands in Ranthambore make it one of the best national parks in the country. Ranthambore National Park is considered one of the best wildlife places in the country to see tigers. Today, the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is spread over an area of 1700 sq. km, comprising core and buffer areas. Ranthambore National Park is a shelter for every wildlife enthusiast, wildlife photographer and an enthusiastic traveler.

The endless nature, sheer beauty and grace of Ranthambore forest are enough to fascinate wildlife lovers at this place. Wildlife can be seen through the jungle safari in Ranthambore National Park. The wildlife safari at Ranthambore is completely under the control of the forest department. Ranthambore National Park, which is mainly governed by nature, has a plethora of wildlife species. Jungle safari tour is the only option to travel deep into the Ranthambore forest and get a chance to see the tiger.

With ruins of ancient monuments, boasting unique lakes, dense deciduous forests, water holes and various small hills in the lush green landscape of the park, exploring the Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary is a memorable experience of a lifetime. Hundreds of bird species, wild mammals and reptiles will provide a sense of adventure during the jungle safari at Ranthambore. These main wild animals include tiger, leopard, wild boar, bear, Hyena, jackal, deer and langur etc.

 

Types of Jungle Safari in Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore National Park consists of two types of jungle safaris, one is jeep safari and the other is canter safari.

1. Jeep Safari   

The Jeep is a 6 seater four wheel drive Maruti Suzuki Gypsy while the Canter is a safari bus with a seating capacity of 20 people. Both safari vehicles are open from the top. For wildlife photography enthusiasts, Jeep is the best option for a jungle safari. The open jeep safari provides a wonderful means of seeing the hidden treasures of the forest.

The Jeep, being a smaller safari vehicle than a canter, is capable of traversing narrow and winding paths. Jeep safari increases the chances of seeing tigers in Ranthambore so it is the pride of Ranthambore. Apart from this, only 6 people can sit in the jeep, low number means that you can request to stay in some places as per your choice.

2. Canter Safari

Another option for jungle safari in Ranthambore is Canter. However, this 20-seater canter is a feasible way to explore wildlife in Ranthambore National Park. The Canter Safari is best suited for group excursions. If Ranthambore is included in your travel list then you should book jungle safari well in advance to avoid inconvenience.

Tiger sightings are mostly depends on luck and matter of chance, but in summer the possibility of seeing leopards, tigers and other wildlife greatly increases near the three lakes located in zones 3 and 4 of Ranthambore. A three-and-a-half-hour safari at Ranthambore is a treat for those exploring the topography.

Online Safari Booking

Online booking of Jungle Safari for Ranthambore National Park can be done in advance. Online advance booking of Jungle Safari opens 365 days before the date of Safari. One can book Jungle Safari on our website by paying the required fee which includes entry fee, safari vehicle fee and forest guide fee.

There are two types of vehicles available for Jungle Safari in Ranthambore - one is Jeep which has six seats and the other is Canter which has 20 seats. There are two shifts available for Jungle Safari in Ranthambore - one shift is in the morning and the other is in the afternoon. 

Safari Vehicle allocation for tourism in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

The number of vehicles for jungle safari in Ranthambore is limited. Limited jeeps and canters are permitted by the Forest Department in each safari zone of Ranthambore. A total of 140 safari vehicles are allowed in zones 1 to 10 of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. Out of which 6 canters and 5 jeeps are sent from zones 1 to 4 respectively. 7 canters and 5 jeeps are allotted in each safari zones 5, 6, 9 and 10. Canters are not allowed due to high climbing and narrow paths in zones 7 and 8 of Ranthambore, Hence, 9 Jeeps are allocated in each zone 7 and 8 respectively. 5 jeeps are allocated in special category quota only in zones 1 to 5. Five jeeps are allocated for full day and half day safari in Ranthambore. Under the Tatkal quota, 20 jeeps are allocated in Zone 1 to 6 with a specific amount. In this way, a total of 140 vehicles are allocated to each Safari Shift in Ranthambore.

Ranthambore Safari Guide

At present 192 guides are registered in Ranthambore by the Forest Department, out of which 140 are Nature Guides and 52 EDC Guides. All the guides are from local families in Ranthambore who are well aware of the park's wild animals and their behavior. Since Ranthambore is visited by large number of wildlife lovers and tourists every year, it is advisable to book safari, especially jeep safari before coming to Ranthambore.

Jungle Safari Timing in Ranthambore National Park

The entry and exit timings for Jungle Safari in Ranthambore National Park vary according to the season. In winter the entry time to the park is slightly late in the morning due to the shorter daylight hours and the time of exit from the park in the evening is a bit early. Typically, the time to open and close the park gates for a jungle safari depends on sunrise and sunset.

Ranthambore National Park opens for jungle safari approximately half an hour after sunrise and closes about half an hour before sunset. As the time of sunrise and sunset changes with the change of season, accordingly, the entry and exit times of Jungle Safari in Ranthambore National Park also change. Jungle Safari in Ranthambore National Park takes three to three and a half hours.

Ranthambore National Park is open to tourists from 1^st October for jungle safari. The morning jungle safari time is 7.00 am to 10.30 am and the afternoon safari time is from 2.30 pm to 6 pm.

In the month of November to January, Safari hours in Ranthambore National Park are from 7 am to 10.30 am and evening safaris from 2 pm to 5.30 pm.

From February to March the National Park is open for safari from 6.30 am to 10.00 am and from 2.30 to 6.00 pm in the evening.

From 1 April to 15 May Ranthambore National Park is accessible for jungle safari from 6 am to 9.30 am and afternoon hours from 3.00 pm to 6.30 pm.

The National Park is open for safari from 15 May to 30 June, during these months the jungle safari timings are from 6 am to 9.30 am in the morning and from 3.30 pm to 7 pm in the afternoon.

Safari Zones

There are 10 different safari zones for tourists inside the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. Visitors can book online safari tickets for Ranthambore National Park 365 days in advance. Only one safari zone can be traveled at a time. Tourists can choose their preferred safari zone based on availability at the time of booking. Although all the safari zones of the park are very good and all safari zones are inhabited by tigers, the sighting of tigers in wildlife sanctuaries is a matter of opportunity and entirely dependent on luck.

There are two types of vehicles for jungle safari in Ranthambore National Park. One is a jeep and the other a canter. Both safari vehicles are allocated by the Forest Department on the same zone. Canters are not allowed in zones 7 and 8 only. Both safari vehicles provide an equal opportunity to see wildlife. Wildlife is found in all the safari zones of the park and the jungle safari gets you closer to the wildlife, it gives you a unique wilderness experience.

For jungle safaris, it is better to go to different zones and the zone can be chosen while booking the safari. At the time of entry, each vehicle is allotted a zone and is not allowed to deviate from its designated zone. Safari vehicles can go anywhere on routes within the zone. During the jungle safari you will have the opportunity to see sambar deer, Indian gazelle, blue bull (Nilgai), spotted deer, langurs, sloth bears and many birds. Many safari zones also boost Leopards. Follow the footprints and you may well be rewarded with a sighting of this beautiful animal and if you are very lucky, you can see the King of the Jungle - Tiger!

 

Safari Zone and their points

Zone 1: Singhdwar Raipur, Amreshwar Dang, Tuti ka Nalla, Sultanpur, Gada Dub, Peela Pani, exit from Singhdwar

Zone 2: Jogi Mahal, Jhalra, Kamaldhar, Amrai Phoota Bandha, Pandudeh, Guda, Gandharia, Polkya, exit from Jogi Mahal

Zone 3: Jogi Mahal, Padam Talab, Raj Bagh, Mandook, High Point, exit from Jogi Mahal

Zone 4: Singhdwar, Tamakhan, Malik Talab, Lakarda, Berda, Semli, Adidaant, Lambi, exit from Singhdwar

Zone 5: Singhdwar, Jokha, Kachida, Dhakda, Baghda, Bakola, Anatpura, exit from Singhdwar

Zone 6: (Kundal): Rajbagh Naka, Palli Darwaza, Kundal Area, Patwa Baori, Sonkach, Kala Pani, exit from Rajbagh Naka

Zone 7: (Chidikho): Rajbagh Naka, Chidikho, Jamoda, Kushalipura, exit from Rajbagh Naka

Zone 8: (Balas): Balas, Neemli Dang, Kali Bhat, Kherai, Mahakho, exit from Balas

Zone 9: ( Kuwalji) Approx 45 kms

Zone 10:  Kushalipura , Bodal , Halonda ,Banskhori , Aantri , exit from Devpura

 

Tatkal Safari Booking at Ranthambore

The Forest Department has introduced a Tatkal safari booking quota in Ranthambore National Park in October 2016. This Tatkal Safari Booking System has been introduced in Ranthambore National Park on the lines of Tatkal ticket booking system in Indian Railways. All safaris in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, be it regular safari or Tatkal safari or full day and half day safari, are all under the control of the forest department and managed by forest officials.

Under the Tatkal quota, only 20 jeeps are allowed in 1 to 6 zones. Under the Tatkal quota, tourists can book Jungle Safari one day before of the Safari date or on the day of Safari. Foreign and Indian visitors can book jeep safaris with an additional charge of INR 10,000 in addition to the regular safari fee under the Tatkal booking quota.

If you are on a trip to Ranthambhore and regular safari booking is not available then you need not be disappointed as you can book Jungle Safari under Tatkal Safari Booking by paying an additional amount of ten thousand rupees in addition to the amount of regular Safari booking fee.

Half-Day and Full-Day Safari in Ranthambore

Ranthambore National Park offers a special full day and half day safari service to explore the wildlife. Full-day and half-day safaris have also been started in 2016 at Ranthambore by the Forest Department on the lines of full-day safari services to be held in other national parks in India. Apart from regular 3 hour morning and afternoon safaris in Ranthambore National Park, half day and full day safaris are available only in zone 6 to 10. However, during normal safari time, tourists with full day and half day will be able to visit zone 1 to 5 while in the remaining time they will have to stay in zone 6 to 10 only.

The Forest Department has introduced new rules for full-day and half-day safari in Ranthambore National Park from October 1, 2019. Under the new rules, tourists going on full-day and half-day safaris will now travel for three-and-a-half hours in zone 1 to 5 during general safari time , while the rest of the time they will be allowed to go to safari zones 6 to 10 of Ranthambore.

Earlier, full-day and half-day safari service in Ranthambore was started in all safari zones of Ranthambore, but now it has been banned in Safari zones 1 to 5 of Ranthambore and is only available in safari zones 6 to 10. Only during general safari time, tourists going on full day and half day safaris will be able to visit zones from 1 to 5, while the rest of the time they have to do safari in zones from 6 to 10 only. Only 5 jeeps are allowed to enter the park under this service. GPS monitored vehicles are allowed to roam freely within tourist safari zones 6 to 10. Essentially a maximum of 5 persons are allowed to go in one jeep except guide and driver.

There is no restriction of Safari Zone for tourists going on full day and half day safaris. They can visit any of the 6 to 10 safari zones of the park. Apart from this, they can also visit zones 1 to 5 during normal safari time. Under a full-day and half-day safari, you can enter the park 15 minutes before a regular safari and leave the park 15 minutes later.

Half-day safari can be done by private jeep from 6 am to 12 am and then from 12 pm to 6 pm. While a full day safari in Ranthambore National Park offers 12 hours in the park from 6 am to 6 pm.  Higher charges apply under half day and full day jeep safari in Ranthambore.

Best Time for Tiger Sighting in Ranthambore

Ranthambore National Park is a recommended wildlife destination in India for sighting tigers and their cubs, with its three lakes and dense forests. Ranthambore has 10 different zones for jungle safari. Although all safari zones of Ranthambore have the presence of tigers and other wild animals, but zones 1 to 6 and 10 are considered the best safari zones for tiger sighting in Ranthambore. In zones 1–6, tigers have been reported to have relatively higher numbers. However, according to the tiger's territory and their sighting, the opinion of the visitors varies.

Ranthambore National Park is open for tourists from October to June, while safari zones 6 to 10 are open throughout the year, you can enjoy jungle safaris even during monsoon. The best time to visit Ranthambore is considered from November to March. However, in the months of May and June, the chance of tiger sighting increases. When booking jeep and canter safaris in Ranthambore, the selection of safari zone should be remembered. The allocation of zones for Ranthambore Jungle Safari is done through a computerized system.

You are free to use your still camera at Ranthambore Park without paying a fee, and Jungle safari timings in Ranthambore vary according to the season. Usually, jungle safari starts half an hour after sunrise and ends half an hour before sunset. During a jungle safari in Ranthambore, if a tiger is spotted in a particular zone in the morning shift, it is more likely to see the tiger in the same zone or nearby area in the afternoon shift. If the tiger hunts in one of the zones, the tiger moves around the kill for about two to three days.

If you are going for a jungle safari at Ranthambore to encounter the magnificent big cat, you are suggested to take several safari trips. However, the sighting of tigers in the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is quite common compared to other parks. However, seeing tigers in the forest is entirely dependent on your fate and matter of chance. In summer, the chances of tiger sighting in the forest are better.

Just follow a moto in Ranthambore National Park - “Take nothing but photographs; Leave nothing but tire-tracks.”

About Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore National Park is one of the most famous national parks in India, which bears its name from the pictorial fort located inside the forest. Ranthambore is one of the highest tiger sighting parks in India. Ranthambore National Park was once the hunting ground of the Jaipur royal family. This world famous national park is located between the Vindhya and Aravalli mountain ranges in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan. There are many ancient ruins inside the national park due to which it is considered a major heritage site.

Sawai Madhopur city is considered to be the gateway to Ranthambore National Park which has biodiversity with ancient religious structures, many man-made lakes and ancient beautiful cenotaphs. The Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is bounded on the north by the Banas River and on the south by the Chambal River. Many lakes inside the park are not connected to the waters of rivers. The main lakes of Ranthambore National Park include Rajbagh Lake, Padam Lakes and Malik Lake. The Government of India declared Ranthambore a national park in 1980 with a focus on endangered tiger conservation, the forests surrounding it were merged into Ranthambore National Park after more than a decade. The Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary and Kaladevi Sanctuary adjoining the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve became part of it.

Places to stay in Ranthambore

There is no accommodation for tourists in the forest of Ranthambore National Park. However, a large number of hotels and resorts are located outside the Ranthambore National Park forest area. Most hotels and resorts are located along the park. The categories of these hotels include Budget, Standard, Deluxe, Heritage and Wildlife Resort etc. With a good accommodation facility you can stay there at night and enjoy a wildlife safari tour.

If you want to free yourself from the hassle of booking safaris and hotels in Ranthambore, then the best way is to choose one of the Ranthambore tour Packages from our website, which includes accommodation, food, transportation, safari permits and local sightseeing.