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Ranthambore National Park

One of India's best places to see wild Bengal tigers, a dry forest reserve in Rajasthan dotted with lakes and the ruins of an ancient hilltop fort.

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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.

Typenational park

WhereRajasthan

Nearest citySawai Madhopur

Best seasonOctober to April; peak sightings March to May

Time to allowTwo to three days

Getting thereNear Sawai Madhopur in eastern Rajasthan, on the rail line from Delhi and Jaipur

EntryPark entry plus safari and vehicle fees; permits booked ahead

Ranthambore, in eastern Rajasthan, is one of the finest places in India to see a wild Bengal tiger, a reserve of dry deciduous forest, grassy meadows and lakes where the big cats have become relatively used to the safari vehicles, giving better chances of a sighting than in many parks. Presiding over it all is the great Ranthambore Fort, a thousand-year-old citadel on a hilltop within the reserve, its ruined walls, gates and temples adding a romantic, ancient backdrop to the wildlife, so that tigers are sometimes seen against a setting of crumbling battlements. Beyond the tigers, the park holds leopard, sloth bear, deer, crocodiles in its lakes and abundant birdlife. Game drives run morning and afternoon in open vehicles through assigned zones, and the anticipation of the search, through beautiful and historic country, is much of the pleasure even when the tiger stays hidden.

What you actually see

Bengal tigers - the park's famous and relatively visible wild tigers.
Ranthambore Fort - the ancient hilltop citadel within the reserve.
The lakes - the water bodies where deer, crocodiles and birds gather.
Other wildlife - leopard, sloth bear, deer and rich birdlife.

When to go

The park is open roughly October to June; the cooler months from October are pleasant, while the hot months of March to May, when the forest is dry and animals come to water, give the best tiger sightings though the heat is intense. The reserve closes in the monsoon. Book safaris and permits well ahead, as places are limited.

Honest expectations

Tigers are wild, so sightings are never guaranteed, and it is quite possible to do several drives and not see one, which disappoints those who come expecting a certainty; treat any sighting as a bonus. Permits, zones and vehicles are strictly controlled and must be booked in advance, and popular zones sell out. The best sightings coincide with the hottest, most uncomfortable months. Early starts are the norm.