Ranthambore Tiger Safari: The Best Guide to Spotting Tigers in India

Seeing tigers in the wild has always been high on our bucket list. It’s on most people’s bucket list! And what better place to realise this dream of seeing the most majestic of all the big cats, than on a Ranthambore tiger safari?

As soon as we decided we were going to travel through India, we were determined that we would at least give ourselves the chance to see one. 

When we discovered that not only was it possible in such an impressive national park as Ranthambore, but also that it’s so easy to fit into a Rajasthan itinerary, it felt like everything was falling perfectly into place.

Of course, a tiger sighting is not guaranteed – they are in the wild after all. But that just adds to the sense of adventure. Scanning the forests, listening to calls of birds and animals and looking for a flash of orange in the undergrowth all just adds to the thrill if you do catch a glimpse of these beautiful creatures. 

We were lucky enough to see two (yes, TWO!) Bengal Tigers in Ranthambore National Park. One female guarding its newly caught prey and one male cooling off in a watering hole. It was an unforgettable experience and we’re here to help you have yours too.

In this guide, we’ll talk you through all you need to know about booking a Ranthambore Tiger safari in India, including the best zones for tiger sightings and other personal tips to maximise your chances of spotting Tigers in India.

Introduction to Ranthambore National Park

Where Is Ranthambore National Park Located?

Ranthambore is in the Indian state of Rajasthan, ‘the land of kings’. It’s just 2 hours from Jaipur, the state capital and similar distances from both Delhi and Agra. This makes it super convenient to fit into either a Rajasthan itinerary or a detour from a ‘Golden Triangle’ visit.

The nearest city to Ranthambore is Sawai Madhopur. It’s not a large city and there isn’t much to do but it is the perfect base for your Ranthambore safari experience. It also has a railway station with great connections to the surrounding cities.

Why Is Ranthambore famous For Tiger Sightings?

Ranthambore is well known as one of the best places in India to spot tigers, partly this reflects its location and how easily it fits into a wider Rajasthan or Indian itinerary. But also it’s because it is home to over 80 tigers, making it one of the most likely locations in India to see them – which, let’s be honest, is really why we’re all here.

This reputation has only been strengthened in recent years as the tiger population of Ranthambore National Park has more than doubled since 2005 when there were just 25 within its borders.

Brief History Of Ranthambore

The area now known as Ranthambore National Park was once the exclusive hunting grounds of the Maharajah (King) of Jaipur from the 17th Century until Indian independence in 1947. 

It was once home to many more tigers and species and the forests of the area spanned many miles further. However, with human population growth and development in the region, the tigers became under threat and nearly went extinct.

In 1955, the first conservation here was established, and it matured into what it is today. With a growing tiger population and an abundance of other species and fauna, it is the best safari in India.

How To Maximise Your Chances Of Seeing Tigers In Ranthambore

Best Zones For Tiger Sightings in Ranthambore

Ranthambore National Park is separated into 10 zones. Zones 1-5 are known as the best tiger spotting zones with 6-10 as the buffer zones. However, from conversations with guides and regulars there this isn’t necessarily the case. We were told the best zones to see tigers in Ranthambore in recent years were 1, 2, 4 and 6.

We did our morning safari in zone 1. The cold early morning fog sits heavily on this zone giving it an eery but also quite beautiful presence. It is a quieter zone and therefore you feel more in with nature – we barely saw another Jeep during the whole safari. There is known to be a tigress near the entrance of the zone and we were lucky to see her just after she had taken down a large sambar deer!

Our afternoon safari was in zone 2. The scenery in this zone was stunning. You go right up against the imposing walls of Ranthambore Fort, see old ruins and stepwells, and most importantly pass by many watering holes where tigers love to relax on a hot afternoon. It was in one of these where we saw a male Tiger cooling off before walking right past us back into the bushes. To be that up close and personal was a real privilege and we hope you’ll have the same luck we had.

Morning or Afternoon Safari – Which Is Best for tiger sightings?

We would recommend both as they give very different experiences and you’ll want to go on at least 2 safaris to maximise your chances of spotting tigers at Ranthambore.

Morning safaris give a quieter, slightly spooky experience, especially in a less busy zone such as zone 1. The rising fog and mist with the sun barely up give it an other-worldly feel. If you’re the first ones in, you’ll have a great chance of spotting tigers and other wildlife as they will not have been disturbed or looking to hide away yet, particularly if they have been actively hunting at night.

Afternoon safaris give a slightly greater chance of spotting tigers. The fog will have lifted and most likely a hot sunny day will make seeing them in the undergrowth far easier with their bright orange coat appearing to shine. Also, the heat will mean they’ll be more likely to come out to cool off, so try to pick a zone with lots of watering holes such as zones 2 and 3.

What Is The Best Time Of Year for a tiger safari at Ranthambore?

As with most of India, the winter months are the best time to visit, from October – March. During these months, the weather is cool and your safari experience will be much more comfortable. The start of winter sees Ranthambore in lush greenery after the recent monsoons but that can make tiger spotting more challenging than late winter.

In the summer months, April – June, Ranthambore is HOT! Especially the afternoon safari will be a challenge as temperatures can reach above 40 Celcius. This heat can be positive for tiger sightings as they will come out in the open to cool off in watering holes.

During the monsoon months of July – September, the ‘best zones’ 1-5 are closed and it will be a challenge to see much wildlife – do not recommend.

Jeep Or Canter Safari At Ranthambore?

Jeep (AKA gypsy) is the only option worth considering unless a) you’re on a tight budget or b) they’re all sold out when you’re visiting.  

Gypsies are 6-seater open-top Jeeps and choosing one will massively increase your probability of seeing tigers. They can just go to places that the larger canter can’t get to, meaning you can cover much more of your zone and get closer to the wildlife. The only negative is they tend to be more expensive than the canter but you get what you pay for.

Canters are essentially a 20-seater open-top truck. The extra height means you may see a little further but that can be worse for wildlife photography due to the unrealistic angle. Also, canters tend to have large groups and families on board, who can sometimes be quite loud and rowdy, ruining your safari experience and more importantly scaring the animals away.

How To Book A Ranthambore Tiger Safari: Tips For A Smooth Experience

Booking Options: Online vs On Arrival vs Through Hotel

Online Booking: Great for Indians, not for foreigners

The official booking site is the cheapest place to book your Ranthambore safari. As it is the official site, there are no commission fees and you can be sure it’s reliable. However, it isn’t the easiest site to navigate and people sometimes report that they do not take non-Indian bank cards.

Alternatively, you can book through travel agencies such as Viator – Ranthambore who will assist in booking your safari for you and will charge a small fee.

On Arrival: A Last Resort

If you haven’t booked in advance then the good news is that the park keeps a limited number of seats back for on-the-day reservations. The bad news is that you’ll need to be up and at Ranthambore Safari Booking Office 2-3 hours before the safari starts, that means for a morning safari you’ll need to be there around 4am, I know I’d rather be asleep!

You are also likely to face big queues, especially at peak times such as weekends and you won’t have as many options in terms of zones and transport type for your safari.

Book through your Hotel: The best option for most

This is what we did and we feel it is clearly the best choice. 

If you stay at a hotel that has good reviews and is used to accommodating safari travellers, this is the easiest option. After making your hotel reservation just contact them and either give them the exact details of the safari you want (as we did) or take their expert local advice. They’ll book it for you and organise for the Jeep to pick you up right outside your accommodation, easy!

We booked ours through our hotel, Hotel Tiger Haveli and it was so straightforward and we got exactly what we wanted. The surcharge was less than 10% over the official site which felt well worth it for the convenience.

How Far In Advance To Book Your Ranthambore Tiger Safari

This really depends on when you plan to visit. Demand will be much higher in the winter months, especially December and early January. You may need to book at least a month in advance. We visited in late January and many zones for our safaris were nearly fully booked for Jeep bookings.

In general, just try to book your safari as soon as your travel dates are confirmed.

How Much A Ranthambore Tiger Safari Costs

Here is an approximation of the cost by booking method (accurate as of April 2025):

Accommodation Options Near Ranthambore National Park

Best Budget Hotel Near Ranthambore

The standout budget hotel for your Ranthambore safari is Hotel Tiger Haveli. This is where we stayed and value for money-wise, it was our favourite in all of India.

As mentioned, they are brilliant at booking your safari for you The Jeep will pick you up and drop you off literally to the door.

It also has a lovely rooftop terrace which serves delicious local food – perfect for lunch between your morning and afternoon safaris. 

The location is also perfect as it’s in Sawai Madhopur, just a short 5-minute taxi or auto from the main railway station.

Approximate cost per night: ₹2000

Best Mid-Range Hotel Near Ranthambore

The Tigress is a stunning hotel resort that attracts outstanding reviews. Set in an ideal location just moments from the entrance to the National Park, the resort is perfect for a relaxing extended stay to complement your safari experience.

You can expect nightly regional entertainment and cultural dance shows, tasty food options and an on-site artist shop to get your Ranthambore Tiger souvenirs.

The addition of a pool, gym and larger more comfortable rooms make this a great base for a few nights or more in Ranthambore.

Approximate cost per night: ₹15000

Best Ultra-Luxury Resort Near Ranthambore

We had the pleasure of seeing Khem Villas resort in person as a member of our safari group was staying here. Wow! If you want the feeling of really being as one with nature this is the place. We saw deer, monkeys and exotic birds just driving up the entrance to the reception. 

The resort is set well away from the main road and so feels serene, with views of the jungle, mountains and open skies. 

The accommodation options are an array of ‘eco-friendly’ choices from luxury tents with all the amenities, all the way up to villas with their own private jacuzzi. It really is special to find this blend of nature and opulence.

Approximate cost per night: ₹50000

How To Get To Ranthambore National Park

No matter where you are coming from, the train is normally the best way to get to Ranthambore. 

Sawai Madophur is such a well-connected station with direct trains to Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and even Mumbai (although you’re probably better off flying to Delhi than taking on the 15-hour journey).

For all of the aforementioned surrounding cities, you can expect journeys of less than 4 hours and multiple trains per day to choose from.

To book your trains, we recommend using 12go (link here) as they are reliable and the official IRCTC can be complex for foreign visitors.

Where To Travel Next After Ranthambore

Assuming you may have already covered Delhi and Agra before you arrived here, we suggest exploring more of the incredible state of Rajasthan. Whether you want to see the ‘Venice of the East’ in Udaipur, the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur or experience a different kind of safari in the desert fort city of Jaisalmer, you can read more in our 7 day Rajasthan Itinerary Guide.

In terms of the best place to travel immediately, Udaipur is where we went next. You can catch an overnight train from Sawai Madophur so you’ll arrive in the city around 7am, perfect to start exploring. You can read our 2 days in Udaipur Itinerary to help you get started

Frequently Asked Questions

Have you been on a Ranthambore Tiger Safari? Or seen tigers in the wild elsewhere? Let us know in the comments below.