Ranthambore National Park: A Guide To Seeing Wild Tigers In India
Traveling to India’s major cities is not for the faint of heart. It's a chaotic mixture of sights and sounds. An assault on the senses. It’s an experience so energetic and full of life that it can be both exhilarating and overwhelming, often times simultaneously. The buildings that line the streets are a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors and the air is filled with the hypnotic aromas of street food. A symphony of noises—honking horns, lively chatter, music—create a constant buzzing. India’s urban centers also present constant hurdles for travelers to navigate. Reliable, timely public transportation is a rarity and on-time trains appear at the same frequency as Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster. Prevalent scams require vigilance at every turn. Staggering levels of pollution and destitution can be found around every corner. The cities of Agra, Jaipur and New Dehli, also known as India’s Golden Triangle, are no exception to this rule and are infamously hectic. While these cities can provide those who travel there endless opportunities for unforgettable and enriching moments, many who spend extended time in the urban frenzy of these locations can find them to be a dizzying, and even suffocating, experience.
Yet, this fast-paced, full-throttle version of India is only one side of the country. Beyond the lively cityscapes of the Golden Triangle, there lies a wealth of picturesque beaches, magnificent panoramas, and extraordinary wildlife. If one wants to escape the cities, India offers endless opportunities to connect with the natural world. This connection to nature is deeply woven into the fabric of Indian life, where nature’s beauty and people’s spirituality have been intertwined for millennia.
Just beyond the Golden Triangle lies a tranquil retreat from the high pace of modern life. This emerald haven, abundant with nature, is the sanctuary of one of the world’s most majestic and formidable creatures. Ranthambore National Park, home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, offers a perfect escape from India’s cities and is an ideal addition to any journey through India.
Here are the steps to take to visit this world-renowned wildlife reserve:
When to Visit
The time of year you visit the park can greatly impact your chance of seeing tigers and your experience as a whole. Here’s a break down of what each season offers:
Monsoon Season (July to September): July to September is India’s Monsoon season, when heavy rains turn the park into a massive swamp. If you enjoy trying to pull a vehicle out of the mud while avoiding being mauled by tigers, Monsooon season is a great time to visit. However, most of the park is shut down during this time of year, so it’s best to visit during a different time of year.
Cool Season (October to March): This is prime time for tourists in Ranthambore National Park. The weather is pleasant and the park is lush and green. Other animals such as birds, leopards, and sloth bears are more prevalent during this period as well. However, with great weather comes great crowds. The cooler temperatures bring hordes of people which can make your serene escape to nature much less serene than anticipated. Safari slots are also in high demand so you might not get the most desired zones, which maximize your chance of seeing tigers. Additionally, the lush, green foliage brought on by the monsoons provides more coverage for wildlife, making your game of hide-and-seek with the tigers more difficult.
Dry Season (April to June): India is hot during the dry season. By hot, I mean VERY hot, with temperatures regularly rocketing above 35°C (95°F) with high humidity. Visiting India during the dry season will make you wish you took a trip to Antarctica instead. The sweltering heat has its advantages, however, as this is hands down the best time to visit Ranthambore. If you can withstand the high temperatures, the dry season is when tigers are most visible. The heat thins out the vegetation, making it easier to spot these apex predators as they try to do exactly what we do: escape the sun. The high temperatures makes them easier to predict, as they tend to gravitate toward water sources when they aren’t lounging in the shade. While the heat chases away casual tourists, it attracts wildlife photographers from all over the world to the park, which should be a tell-tale sign that this is the best time of year to catch a glimpse of these elusive creatures.
For my trip to India, I took on the high heat of May. While mid-day temperatures were unbearable at times, the game drives took place during the much cooler hours of the morning and late afternoon which helped combat the fearsome opponent that is the fireball in the sky. We easily spotted Tigers from long distances and were able to get up close and personal with them on multiple occasions. Going during the cooler season will be more comfortable and you will most likely see a wider variety of wildlife but the dry season maximizes your chance of seeing Tigers. Both are great times to visit the park but if your goal is to see tigers and tigers only, the dry season is the best time to be there.
The Landscape of Ranthambore National Park in May, 2023
Getting There
The town of Sawai Madhopur acts as a gateway to the park and is the hub for all things Ranthambore. The majority of tour operators and accommodations that service the national park are located within the town, a short 20-minute drive from its entrance.
The closest major city with an airport is Jaipur, 150 kilometers to the north, and is the most likely starting point for your quest to see Tigers in the wild. From Jaipur, there are two options to get to Sawai Madhopur:
By Train: There are consistent trains from Jaipur that’ll take you to Sawai Madhopur. The town is well-connected to Jaipur and other major cities as Ranthambore is a popular destination for both international and Indian tourists alike. You can book train tickets using the official Indian Railway system website, but heads up, the site is pretty janky and the booking experience can be frustrating. If your time on the IRCTC website makes you want to throw your computer/phone into oncoming traffic, you can book through 3rd part websites like MakeMytrip, but you’ll pay a decent amount more than you would by booking direct. Still, these are Indian prices, so neither option will hurt your wallet too badly. A ticket booked directly on India’s Railway system will cost you anywhere between ₹150 and ₹1,000 (2 USD to 12 USD) depending on the train class you choose.
By Road: A private car or taxi from Jaipur is the most comfortable option. At around ₹3,500 (40 USD), it’s a steal for the convenience and the chance to enjoy some of Rajasthan’s breathtaking landscapes without the stress of train station chaos. However, if you want a true Indian experience, or you’re just a masochist, take the train.
Locals hitch a ride on the back of a truck in Sawai Madhopur, India
Safari Zones
Most of the park is closed off to tourists for conservation purposes. The part of the reserve that is open to the public is split into 10 zones, and each game drive you take will stick to whatever zone you’re assigned. Tigers are territorial and that territory can range from a few square kilometers all the way up to 150 square kilometers. This means that some zones have more Tigers in them than others. More Tigers means more chances of sightings, which means more competition for safari slots. Each zone is only allowed a certain amount vehicles per day, so booking your safari slots ahead of time is the best way to ensure you end up in a part of the park that the Tigers like to hang out in. Here is the breakdown of zones:
Popular Zones: Zones 1 to 4 are the most popular zones, where tiger sightings are more frequent and the competition for safari slots is fierce. Zone 2 is the most visited as it has a large number of both Tigers and watering holes. Zone 3 is another frequently visited zone, boasting views of the famous lakes Padam Talao, Rajbagh Talao, and Malik Talao, as well as views of the majestic Ranthambore Fort. It’s also home to Riddhi, one of the park's most famous big cats.
Less Visited Zones: Zones 5 to 10 are the less visited, offering varied experiences. The odds of spotting tigers here might be lower but these zones still provide plenty of opportunity to see a variety of wildlife.
When it comes down to it, spotting Tigers in the wild is more luck than skill. Although picking a competent driver and selecting a premium zone will maximize your chances, it all comes down to being in the right place at the right time. On my trip to Ranthambore, I visited Zones 1,3,6 and 10 and my most memorable Tiger sighting was in Zone 6, a less popular part of the park. My advice is to try and take as many game drives as you can in as many different sections as possible.
A Jeep drives through the ruins of Fort Ranthambore in Zone 03
Booking A Safari
Now to the most important part of your trip, booking the safari. Ranthambore is open to the public but as stated before, the park only only allows a certain amount of vehicles into each zone per day. That means booking ahead is a must. There are a few things to consider when booking your game drives:
Vehicle: There are two types of vehicles to choose from: Canters and Jeeps. Canters are basically open-top buses and can fit around 20 people. They get crowded and can't get as close to wildlife as Jeeps, but they are cheaper. Jeeps are smaller, open-top 4x4 vehicles that seat around 6 people. They also can get to spots the Canters aren’t able to, allowing for a closer view of any animals you might spot. For a single game drive, Canters cost around ₹3,000 (35 USD) per person whereas jeeps cost ₹4,000 (47 USD) per person. I did both and the Jeep option is, without a doubt, worth the extra price.
Booking: With the fact that the Indian government only allows a certain number of vehicles into the park per day, booking your game drives ahead of your arrival to India is the smart move. They can be easily booked in advance online or you can use one of the many tour operators in Sawai Madhopur to arrange everything for you. I booked with a company called Big Cat Adventures for my trip to Ranthambore. They helped me book a private safari to the specific zones I wanted, set up my accommodation, and picked me up from my hotel lobby before every game drive. The biggest advantage of booking with this particular company was that the drivers they selected for each safari were knowledgeable and had a great sense of where the Tigers would be. I don’t have any experience with the other tour operators in the area but this particular one was fantastic. If you decide to go this route and don’t use Big Cat Adventures, do your research. India is filled with scams and shady companies. That being said, it’s definitely possible to experience Ranthambore on your own. If you want to save money, book individually. If you want ease, comfort, and a better chance of seeing wildlife, a local tour operator is the way to go.
Where To Stay
Sawai Madhopur is no stranger to tourism and there are levels of accommodation for any type of traveler. From tents, to basic hotels, to all-inclusive resorts, there is an option for any budget.
I stayed at The Fern, a mid-range range option. It cost around ₹3,300 (40 USD) and while it wasn’t anything special, it was good enough for my few days in the park. There are plenty of basic options similar to The Fern in the area, and there are more luxurious options if you want a more high-end Ranthambore experience. Low-end options and tents cost around ₹1,000-₹2,400 (12 USD- 30 USD), your run-of-the-mill hotel costs around ₹3,000-₹7,500 (35 USD-90 USD) and high-end spots can cost over ₹7,500 (100 USD).
Why Ranthambore National Park Is A Must Visit
Observing these majestic big cats as they silently navigate the jungle is one of the most unforgettable experiences life has to offer. The thrill of being face-to-face with one of the world's most formidable predators, with no barriers between you, is both mesmerizing and heart-pounding. Few places on Earth offer this rare opportunity, so if you're traveling in India, make sure to include Ranthambore National Park in your itinerary. It will undoubtedly be the most spectacular and memorable highlight of your trip.