Every Zone
Every safari zone of Ranthambhore National Park is connected from the hotel, so no drive starts far from your room.
Jungle Safari in Ranthambhore
Ranthambhore National Park is why most guests come to Sawai Madhopur, and every safari zone of the park is connected from the hotel. Tell us when you would like to go, and we will arrange your jungle safari.
Drives head out in the early morning and again in the afternoon, by gypsy or canter, with a naturalist to guide you, so there is time between them for breakfast, the pool, or the spa.
Booked for You
We arrange your jungle safari for you. Tell the front desk your dates and whether you would like the morning or the afternoon drive.
Best Season
October to March, when the weather is pleasant and wildlife sightings are at their most comfortable.
Tracking the Tiger
A safari in India is not the open savannah of Africa. The tiger keeps to dense forest and thick undergrowth, and finding one is a craft. Every drive goes out with a licensed driver and a trained forest guide, who read the pugmarks on the track, listen for the alarm calls of deer and langurs, and swap news with other vehicles along the way.
The tiger is the star, but the park keeps a much larger cast: leopards, sloth bears, striped hyenas, sambar and spotted deer, nilgai, langurs, mugger crocodiles, and a great many resident and migratory birds.
Gypsy or Canter
The gypsy is an open four-wheel-drive jeep for up to six guests, quiet and nimble on the narrow forest tracks. The canter is an open safari bus for up to 20, run by the park to keep the number of vehicles down.
Gypsy seats are limited and go first, so tell us your dates as early as you can and we will book the vehicle you prefer.
Back to Comfort
This is where staying with us makes the difference. Come back from the dawn drive to breakfast, a swim, or a treatment at the Dayana Spa. Hi-Tea is served in the morning and again in the evening, and after the afternoon drive the garden is lit and the Pool Bar stays open until 10:00 PM.
We look after the paperwork, the permits and the pick-up, so all you have to bring is your camera.
On safari in Ranthambore
Safari Timings & Zones
There are two drives a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, each about three to three and a half hours. The park has ten safari zones: zones 1 to 5 form the core and are open from 1 October to 30 June, and zones 6 to 10 stay open all year. The Forest Department allots the zone with your booking, and it cannot be chosen in advance.
| Season | Morning drive | Afternoon drive |
|---|---|---|
| October to February | 6:30 AM – 10:00 AM | 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM |
| March to April | 6:00 AM – 9:30 AM | 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM |
| May to June | 6:00 AM – 9:30 AM | 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM |
Timings are approximate. They are set by the Forest Department and shift a little with sunrise and sunset; we confirm the exact times during your stay.
How We Book Your Safari
- Tell us your dates, morning or afternoon, gypsy or canter, and how many of you are going. Contact us or call the front desk.
- Send a copy of the photo ID each guest will carry (the passport photo page for overseas guests). The Forest Department needs it to issue the permit.
- The park asks for full payment when the permit is booked; we email you the payment details once seats are confirmed.
- We collect the permits and hand them to your guide, and confirm your pick-up time from the hotel the day before the drive.
Once confirmed, safari permits are non-refundable and cannot be transferred. Planning the trip? Read our guide on how to plan a Ranthambore jungle safari.
What to Bring
- The original ID used for the booking — the only thing you must carry
- Your camera, and binoculars if you have them
- Water, sunscreen, a brimmed hat and sunglasses
- Warm layers from December to February, when mornings are cold in an open vehicle
- Neutral, khaki-like colours; the tracks are dusty (what to wear on safari)
Park Rules
- Stay in the vehicle at all times inside the reserve
- Carry valid ID; park staff may check it against your permit
- The Government of Rajasthan may close the park without notice
- There is no fee for still cameras; video cameras are charged as per Forest Department rules
- Changes in park fees or taxes are charged as applicable
Safari Questions
- When is Ranthambhore National Park open?
- Zones 1 to 5 are open from 1 October to 30 June and close in July, August and September. Zones 6 to 10 are open all year.
- Which zone is the best?
- No single zone is best; wildlife does well and sightings happen across all ten. The Forest Department allots the zone, so it cannot be picked in advance.
- Can children come on safari?
- Yes, the park welcomes children of all ages.
- Is a safari safe?
- Yes. The animals are used to safari vehicles and are not disturbed by them as long as everyone stays in the vehicle, and the park limits how close vehicles may go.
- When is the best time to visit?
- October to March, when the weather is pleasant and wildlife sightings are at their most comfortable.
- Do I need to carry my booking confirmation?
- No. The confirmation is for your records; we hand the permits directly to your guide.
“Hospitality that creates memorable experiences.”