Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore National Park is a tiger reserve near Sawai Madhopur in eastern Rajasthan, and one of the best places in India to see wild Bengal tigers. Ranthambore was once the private hunting ground of the maharajas of Jaipur, became part of Project Tiger in 1973 and was declared a national park in 1980.

Ranthambore National Park sits where the Aravalli and Vindhya hills meet, a landscape of dry deciduous forest, lakes and rocky ridges scattered with ruined pavilions and the walls of Ranthambore Fort. Its tigers are known for being seen in daylight, and one tigress, Machli, became world famous through wildlife films before her death in 2016. Tiger numbers have recovered from very low levels in the 2000s, and some Ranthambore tigers have been moved to restock other reserves.

What to see

• Padam Talao, Rajbagh Talao and Malik Talao, the lakes where tigers come to drink
• Jogi Mahal, a former royal hunting lodge on Padam Talao
• The huge banyan tree beside Jogi Mahal
• Leopards, sloth bears, sambar, chital, mugger crocodiles and more than 300 bird species
• The ruined chhatris and gateways that make Ranthambore look unlike any other park

What to wear

Wear muted greens, browns and khaki on safari, and avoid white and bright colours. Mornings from November to February are cold in an open jeep, so bring a warm jacket, hat and gloves; by April the afternoons pass 40°C. A scarf keeps the dust off. Local Meena and Gujjar villagers around the park wear bright turbans and ghagra skirts, and many lodges have staff dressed in Rajasthani safa and dhoti.

Local food to try

Most visitors eat at their lodge, where Rajasthani dishes such as dal baati churma, ker sangri, gatte ki sabzi and laal maas are standard. Sawai Madhopur is famous for its guavas, sold by the roadside in winter. The town's market near the railway station has kachori and chai stalls.

Good to know

• Best from October to June; March to May gives the best tiger sightings, in heat
• Morning and afternoon safaris daily; core zones close from about July to September
• Permits sell out, so book well ahead through the official portal or your operator
• Allow two nights for at least three safaris
• About 180 km from Jaipur; Sawai Madhopur station is on the Delhi to Mumbai line
• Stay in the vehicle, keep quiet, and no feeding or flash

Nearby places

Ranthambore Fort stands inside the park and can be visited without a safari. Amber Fort in Jaipur is about four hours north, and Chand Baori is a stop on the way.