Ranthambore National Park
A tiger reserve in Rajasthan where you track big cats on open-jeep safaris, with a hilltop fort above the forest.
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Ranthambore National Park lies in Sawai Madhopur district in eastern Rajasthan, northwest India, and is one of India's best-known places to see wild tigers. The park takes in dry deciduous forest, lakes, ravines and rocky hills. It was a hunting reserve for the rulers of Jaipur before it became a protected area.
Most visitors come for jeep or canter safaris on set routes through numbered zones. A half day or a full day gives a few chances to see tigers, deer and birds, though no sighting is guaranteed. The Ranthambore Fort sits on a hill inside the park, and the climb gives views over the forest and lakes. The trip suits wildlife lovers who don't mind early starts and dusty roads. November to March is the most comfortable season, and the park closes for the monsoon from July to September. Two nights gives time for two safaris and the fort.
Ranthambore National Park in five
- Book safari seats earlySafaris go into the reserve in licensed jeeps and canters, and seats are capped per vehicle and zone. Popular dates sell out, so book before you arrive.Tours and tickets
- Apply for an eVisa firstMost foreign passports need an Indian eVisa before arrival, applied for on the official portal. Carry the approval with your passport, which you will show at the park gate.Visas and entry
- Arrive by train at Sawai MadhopurSawai Madhopur is the rail junction nearest the park, and a taxi or jeep covers the last stretch to the gate. Jaipur is about 3 hours away by road.Getting around
- Check the monsoon closureThe park closes for the monsoon, roughly July to September, and no safaris run in those months. Confirm the reopening date with the forest department before you fix your dates.
- Carry small rupee notesGuides and safari drivers expect tips, and small notes are easier to hand over than large ones. Carry them for safaris and meals.Money and costs
Things to do in Ranthambore National Park
See all attractions in Ranthambore National Park
Need to know
- Currency
- Indian Rupee (INR)
- Entry
- Indian eVisa needed by most foreign visitors; apply before arrival Read more
- Emergency
- 112 general, 100 police, 102 ambulance
- Tipping
- Expected for safari guides and drivers; small amounts elsewhere
- Time
- UTC+5:30, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear2 rainy daysHigh23°Low11°Cold, misty morningsJanuaryClear
Good
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, misty mornings
- FebruaryClear1 rainy dayHigh28°Low14°Mild, good sightingsFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, good sightings
- MarchClear2 rainy daysHigh33°Low19°Warming, dry seasonMarchClear
Good
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warming, dry season
- AprilClear1 rainy dayHigh39°Low25°Hot, dry, waterholesAprilClear
Mixed
- High
- 39°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry, waterholes
- MayClear2 rainy daysHigh42°Low29°Very hot, middayMayClear
Poor
- High
- 42°
- Low
- 29°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot, midday
- JuneClear8 rainy daysHigh40°Low30°Heat, pre-monsoonJuneClear
Poor
- High
- 40°
- Low
- 30°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heat, pre-monsoon
- JulyRain24 rainy daysHigh34°Low27°Closed, monsoonJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 352 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Closed, monsoon
- AugustRain23 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low26°Closed, monsoonAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 317 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Closed, monsoon
- SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh33°Low25°Closed, monsoonSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 157 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Closed, monsoon
- OctoberClear2 rainy daysHigh33°Low22°Park reopensOctoberClear
Mixed
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Park reopens
- NovemberClear1 rainy dayHigh29°Low17°Cool, good sightingsNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, good sightings
- DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh24°Low12°Cool, fog possibleDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, fog possible
Average daily high and low in Sawai Madhopur, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Ranthambore National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
23
- Feels like
- 24°
- Humidity
- 52%
- Wind
- 0 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Ranthambore National Park
05:34 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°19°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 30°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed30°19°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 30°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu30°19°0%Thursday: Clear. High 30°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri31°19°0%Friday: Clear. High 31°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat31°18°0%Saturday: Clear. High 31°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun31°18°0%Sunday: Clear. High 31°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 01:58 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Ranthambore National Park
Rules for Ranthambore National Park, checked
- Stay in your assigned safari vehicle and on the marked tracks; getting out of the vehicle inside the reserve is not allowed.
- Carry your passport and eVisa approval; you will need both for entry to the park.Source
- Do not feed, touch or approach tigers, leopards or other wildlife, and keep your voice low on the drive.
- Ask the forest department before you fly a drone in the reserve.
Plan around Ranthambore National Park
The state, its forts and the Jaipur route
Read the guideVisas and entryeVisa steps, documents and what to carry
Read the guideGetting around IndiaTrains to Sawai Madhopur and transfers to the gate
Read the guideTours and ticketsSafari bookings and how seats are assigned
Read the guideWhere to stayLodges near the gate and rooms in town
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical and evacuation cover for remote safaris
Read the guideRanthambore National Park FAQ
Do I need a reservation to enter Ranthambore?
Yes. Safaris need a booked seat because jeeps enter on set slots with quotas per zone. Book before you arrive, since popular dates sell out.
How many days do I need in Ranthambore?
Two or three nights leaves room for two safaris and a visit to the Ranthambore Fort. Three nights gives you more slack between them.
When is the best time to see tigers?
November to March, when the weather is cool and sightings rate best. The park closes for the monsoon, roughly July to September.
Can I drive my own car into the park?
No. Visitors enter in licensed safari jeeps or canters, not in their own car.
Is Ranthambore possible as a day trip from Jaipur?
It is possible but tiring, since the drive is about 3 hours each way and leaves little time for a safari. Stay at least one night.