Ranthambore National Park Safari - A Detailed Guide

Ranthambore National Park is famous around the world as the “Tiger Reserve”. With a great number of Royal Bengal Tigers at its place, the park also houses an array of other species of flora and fauna worth sighting.

It is one of the popular and largest national parks residing in the Rajasthan state of Northern India. There are tons of activities one can experience on their exploration of the abode of Royal Bengal Tiger. The Ranthambore national park safari is one of the great activities to start with. It is divided into two shifts, morning and evening shifts. These are the times when there is the highest probability of sighting any fauna in the park.

With jungle safari Ranthambore, you can acknowledge yourself with the rich heritage of this park and its history. From clicking pictures of the exotic species of flora and fauna to sighting the animals indulging in their day to day activities is a treat to watch.

While you explore on your Ranthambore Safari, you will come across some exquisite flora that would leave you awestruck. The dense green jungle of the Ranthambhore National Park amidst the desert makes it a great place to tour for nature lovers. For the record, there are around 300 species of vegetation mostly of dry deciduous type as the rainfall received at this location is very less.

The major region of the forest is covered with a plant named Dhok or biologically Anogeissus pendula. Other types of trees one can find in this forest are Banyan Tree, Neem, Peepal along with the fruit bearing trees like Mango, Imli, Jamun tree and others.

The apex predator and renowned resident of the Ranthambhore National Park is the Royal Bengal Tiger. Many other species of the cat family like leopard cat, desert cat, fishing cat and others can be seen here. On your jungle safari Ranthambore, you can also catch a glance of Sloth Bear, Jackal, Striped Hyena, common mongoose, python, Palm civet, crocodile and others.

Migratory birds are another attraction at the Ranthambhore National Park with over 300 species nestling here. Some of these species that can be seen frequently and easily on your Ranthambore safari are Bronze winged Jacana, Sandpiper, Nightjar, Kingfisher, Painted Spurfowl, Great horned owl, Painted Sandgrouse, Sarus Crane, large Cormorant and many others.

The Four-Wheel Drive Gypsy is a 6-seater, while the Canter seats 20 people. For wildlife photography enthusiasts, the open Gypsy provides wonderful means to capture those treasured sightings at eye-level. 

Being a smaller vehicle in comparison, the Gypsy is able to traverse narrow, winding trails, and increasing the odds of spotting a tiger—the pride of Ranthambore. Also, fewer numbers mean that you can request a few stops as per your liking. 

Built in 2006, near the gates of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Tiger Machan is one of the most exciting places to camp and enjoy the chilly forests of the night. Perhaps the best way to watch the animals roam about in the wild, camping in aesthetically-done tents and a bonfire is sure to thrill your family. 

Tiger Machan also conducts jeep safaris, and provides multiple luxury tents alongside nature walks and trips into the adjoining villages. 18 air-conditioned cottages, a couple of suites and eight luxury Swiss cottage tents are set amid soothing landscapes. Barbecues during the bonfire see cultural shows indulging you in the magic of Ranthambore. A walk to any of the three lakes promises to be a treat for birdwatchers. Prices start from INR 4500 upwards.

Among the newest of heritage hotels in Ranthambore, the Nahargarh Ranthambore is nestled at the foothills of the Aravali Range. A 16th century fortress surrounds the hotel, which is built like a traditional Rajput hunting palace embellished with a Mughal garden. 80 super-luxury rooms pamper you with the best amenities while in the lap of luxury.

The close proximity to the national park means that the premises of the heritage hotel are habitats of many wild animals, and offer unmatched views of the park from the private terraces. Dining at Nahargarh Ranthambore offers a wide range of cuisines to choose from, while the bar is simply the place to be after a winding day of exploring. 

Like most places offering accommodation around Ranthambore, the heritage hotel organises tiger safaris, while the hotel itself is a hotspot for bird-watching. The aristocratic rooms with interiors finished in the Shekhawati style of architecture can be availed for INR 11000 and upwards.

A luxurious jungle lodge set inside a private estate, Sher Bagh offers 12 exquisite, hand-sewn bedroom tents with attached verandahs and bathrooms. To reach Sher Bagh, a short 10-minute drive from the entrance of the Ranthambore National Park will see you wade through the rugged terrain. The extremely spacious luxury tents do not fall short of practicality, with every amenity only a step away. 

The meals served are worth a special mention, and the spread caters to every individual preferences. The experience of staying at the edge of the national park only gets better, with a reading section in the resort stocking a sizeable chunk of books on wildlife. As you revel in the solace that reading in the wild offers, you might get to hear one of the owners recounting stories from the yore.

This wilderness camp is situated on the fringes of Ranthambore National Park, and the 10 luxury tents reflect the aura of the erstwhile travelling tents of the Mughals. An oversized daybed at the centre of the tent is ideal to lounge. 

The rest of the resort is separated into various sections and pockets of vast, open spaces lends the place an airy, relaxed ambiance. The Aravali Ranges running in the background of the lounge tent is just the perfect setting replete with board games, reading tables and novels.

Fresh produce from the resort’s organic farms are translated to delectable servings inside the Dining Tent. The soft glow of the lamps and the large table in the centre catch your attention—where delicious platters of both Indian and Western cuisines are served. A roaring fireplace and the resort’s own spa make Aman-i- Khás one of the best places offering true luxury in Ranthambore, with prices starting from INR 75,000 upwards.

One of India’s first hotels designed to be physically-challenged friendly, the resort is spread across three-and-half acres near the mouth of Ranthambore National Park. If you plan on leaving early for those morning safaris, each room has two bathrooms to facilitate that agenda. Approximately 28 rooms are on offer—with 19 of them being deluxe rooms, seven comfortable tents and two suites. Each room is individually decorated, and no two rooms are similar looking.

One of the rooms at Dev Vilas is dedicated to works of artists from the Ranthambore School of Art. It is aptly named after Thakur Fateh Singh Rathore, who is a legend among tiger conservationists. Accommodation at the resort built in Indo-Saracenic style begins from INR 9000 upwards.

Situated in an erstwhile hunting lodge of the royals of Jaipur, this luxury hotel lies in the vast grounds surrounding it. Acres of lush gardens and the luxury hotel are 20 minutes away from the Ranthambore Tiger reserve. 29 guestrooms and suites follow a rustic theme, and ministers and royals of the yore are said to have resided in these elegant quarters. 

The collection of old hunting trophies add to the charm of staying in the resort. Yoga sessions held on the premises and elephant rides draw visitors to this tastefully done luxury resort. Expect to pay INR 16000 onwards.

Offering luxury tented accommodation without the exorbitant pricing of others, The Ranthambore Bagh is a quaint resort not far from the national park. The three lush gardens are landscaped well with numerous full-grown trees attracting birds. It is said that over 150 varieties of birds have made the resort’s outdoors their home, and the growing numbers provide a fascinating timeout for watching them. 

A total of 12 twin-bed luxury tents are pitched on the gardens and satisfy the finickiest travellers. Air-conditioned and with running hot water, The Ranthambore Bagh has all modern amenities that you might need. A seasoned restaurant that serves Indian and Continental cuisines provide a decent outing for the taste buds. Bird-watching, Jeep safaris and trekking adventures are a few of the services offered by this easy-n-the-wallet resort. Accommodation starts from INR 3300 onwards.

A mere two kilometres from the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Pugmark offers one of the most comprehensive services in Ranthambore. Located in an ideal place, Pugmark offers its guests 33 luxury air-conditioned cottage rooms and a luxury villa by the pool. Bicycle renting at the Pugmark is one of the best ways to loaf about exploring the diverse topography of the national park. 

The villa by the pool is comprised of two cottages and a living room, and pleasant isolation that it offers makes it one of the best places to stay in. Cave Palate is a multi-cuisine restaurant that dishes out a buffet for every meal, while the adjoining gardens are lit up by vivid Rajasthani and other Indian cultural performances in the evenings. 

The Flames is the bar within resort premises, which houses an expansive range of spirits for you to dip into. You can avail accommodation for around INR 10000 per night. Oh, the safaris arranged from the resort are not to be missed.

Since the time of its purchase in 1989, a horde of indigenous trees have been planted and many small ponds lay scattered along Khem Villas’ 10-acre expanse. Over the years, the open savannahs have transformed into a natural habitat of many animals. Sighting Jackals, Hyenas, Crocodiles or Desert Foxes is not uncommon within the resort’s campus; with flocks of White Throats to Sparrow Hawks to the Black-Winged Kites, significant varieties of birds are sure to catch your eye. 

Khem Villas offers stand-alone cottages which have large glass doors overlooking a pond or the dense jungle from up-close. Tents made of Bamboo make a rustic statement, while multiple rooms can be collated together to create a personal space for the group. You can rent rooms from INR 11500 onwards, and undertake nature walks, village and jungle trips and campfires under the starry night.

Ranthambore National Park has no dearth of accommodation options, with resorts, budget-hotels and luxury villas sprawling throughout Ranthambore and Sawai Madhopur. Among them are a few noteworthy ones that draw tourists year after year—The Hammir Wildlife Resort, Tiger Moon, Ranthambore Heritage Haveli, Abrar Palace and Jungle Camp and an array of options. Most resorts and hotels organize tiger safaris—in either the Gypsy or the Canter.

At the heart of the Ranthambore National Park is Ranthambore Fort, one of the oldest forts in India. Constructed in the year 944 AD, the fort situated on a hilltop offers possibly the best views of the tiger reserve. Bring along your binoculars to observe the activities of the animals from a distance. The circumference of Ranthambore Fort spans seven kilometres, and the fabulous quality of craftsmanship and interiors is sure to leave you transfixed. 

Although built by a Chauhan warlord, Akbar, the famous Mughal emperor is said to have stayed in the fort as well. The fort is recognised as a World Heritage Site, and remains one of the most popular attractions in Ranthambore. The seven humongous gateways still stand to this day, and the crumbling ruins of Badal Mahal to the north is a sight to behold. However, the Trinetra Ganesh Temple inside the fort is what draws locals and tourists alike. 

In 1300 AD, the final monarch of the Chauhan Empire named King Hammir built the temple with a three-eyed idol of Ganesh adorning the sanctum sanctorum. Hordes of Langurs hover around the temple, and travellers need to watch out for their belongings. Hammir Court in the fort is an acoustic marvel—where even the slightest of whispers from one end can be heard at the other! The Badal Mahal which means the palace of the clouds, stands on 84 columns. This magnificent gazebo is where King Hammir once held court.

Having changed hands several times, a Digambar Jain Temple, a dargah and a mosque are also constructed inside the fort. Gupt Ganga is the perpetual watercourse that flows at the log end of the Ranthambore Fort. A continuous series of rocky steps lead you till the watercourse and is an understated place to catch a sight of a large number of migratory birds. Although Langurs are fairly common, a leopard can catch you by surprise. It’s during these times that a binocular comes handy, and camera with powerful lens is bliss.

The largest of the three lakes in the park, Padam Talao gets its name from the large number of lotuses. Being one of the major watering holes of Ranthambore National Park, wild animals visit it during dusk and dawn. The legendary guesthouse Jogi Mahal lies on the lake’s fringes, and makes for frame-worthy photographs. The Jogi Mahal is said to be home to India’s second largest Banyan tree, which has been in existence for a staggering six centuries!

Originally constructed as one of the hunting lodges for the royal family of Jaipur, the forest guesthouse is now shut down and is swamped by neighbouring vegetation. To spot the rare Chinkara near the watering hole is an unforgettable experience. For wildlife lovers, the Padam Talao proffers the best of opportunities to observe the inhabitants of the national park.

A little more than 10 kilometres from Ranthambore National Park, the Rajiv Gandhi Regional Museum of Natural History is located in Sawai Madhopur. The 7.2-acre land on which the museum is situated was originally built to showcase the natural heritage, flora and fauna of the region. 

Around five galleries in the Ranthambore museum are dedicated exclusively to display the biodiversity of Rajasthan, Biomes and Ecosystems, Desert, Ecology and Conservation and the Origin and Evolution of life. An interesting outing for the children awaits.

The museum remains closed on Mondays and other national holidays, throwing open its doors from 10 AM till 5 PM.

A Jeep is a preferred way to reach the valley, whose primary inhabitants are another of the big cats—panthers. Tigers form the apex of the food chain in the central areas of the park, and in order to avoid fatal territorial clashes, the panthers are compelled to stay away. 

A majority of Ranthambore’s panthers are concentrated in the valley. Undulating low hills and a rocky terrain compliment fulfilling views of the valley, and a patient wait might just result in spotting a Sloth Bear. A good population of sloth bears makes Kachida Valley the best place to catch the reclusive giant in the wild.

The northern periphery of the park has an astonishing number of ant hills, and which the Sloth Bears have great fondness for. Sloth Bears are found here in large numbers, but due to their recluse nature of avoiding human attention, they are fairly hard to spot. 

The Indian Striped Hyenas are another of Lakarda and Anantpura’s celebrated residents. Rarely spotted in the wild, their pugmarks are strewn across the area. The nocturnal hyenas make it nearly impossible to observe.

This particular species of antelopes are exclusive to the Indian Subcontinent. Not found in the national park itself, Black Bucks inhabit the village of Devpura—approximately 15 kilometres away from the park. The rural region sees them clumped together in herds of up to 20.

 You’ll be amazed outright to witness the Black Bucks sprinting at full speed, which is recorded to have exceeded 50 miles per hour! Driving down to the Devpura village is a great chance to experience the idyllic locales, and also to observe the vibrant Bandhani, Lahariya, silver jewellery, textiles and carpets woven by local artists. The vibrancy that Rajasthan is noted for, is on full display here.

In order to utilize the skills and talents of the displaced village-folk, Dastkar offers unique traditional handicrafts that are different from the rest of Rajasthan. The wildlife paintings are a treat for art aficionados, and other handicraft products make superb souvenirs of Ranthambore. 

The regular Rajasthani artefacts are sold—Bandhani works, block-print textiles, handloom skirts and other jewellery are favourites of tourists in many of Ranthambore National Park’s bookings.

A little deviation off the road leading to the park takes you to Ranthambore School of Art. The backbone idea behind setting up this school was to instil the tiger in the popular psyche of the people. The Ranthambore School of Art sources its artworks from the students from surrounding villages and towns, and tries to convey the message of tiger conservation. 

A trip to the school will welcome you into a world of tiger-oriented art, and this is where the experience of Ranthambore National Park comes full circle.

The Banas and Chambal rivers meet 65 kilometres away from Sawai Madhopur at Rameshwar Ghat. The Chambal River has been declared as the National Chambal Sanctuary by the three states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. 

While you are at Asia’s only riverine eco-system sanctuary, be sure you visit the shrines of Lord Chaturbhuj Nath and Shiva on Rameshwar Ghat. Boasting of a rich biodiversity, the adjoining National Gharial Sanctuary has the Chital, Mongoose, Nilgai, Otter, Crocodile and a host of bird species for wildlife buffs.
Additionally, the yearly Shivarathri fair draws thousands of people thronging Rameshwar Ghat.

One of the oldest Shiva temples around, the Amreshwar Mahadeo Temple is thought to be over 1200 years old. The dense vegetation around the temple caused it to be hidden away for a really long time, before it was discovered and turned hugely popular for the Shivarathri fairs held ever since. 

Even today, one has to walk a kilometre before reaching the temple. Besides its historical and cultural significance, the region around the temple has grown to be a major tourist destination. A cascading waterfall and the marshy groves during monsoon have been popular attractions. An accidental sighting of one of the big cats should always be listed on your agenda.

The revered historical ruins of Ranthambore are scattered along the lake, due to which Raj Bagh Talao is considered the most picturesque of all the lakes. The dense vegetation blanketing the area summons a large population of birds and animals for respite from the heat. 

The Sambar Deer and Egrets are regular visitors, while the area around the lake itself falls under one of the prime tiger spotting areas. Be on your toes while here, the big cats might just be around the bend.