1Gypsy or canter?
Ranthambore safaris run in two kinds of vehicle. A gypsy is an open jeep for six guests, quieter and more nimble, and the better choice for photographers. A canter is an open bus for about 20 people; it's cheaper and easier to book at short notice, but noisier. Both follow fixed routes inside your allotted zone with a forest guide on board, and both run twice a day.
2Which zone is best for tigers?
The park is divided into ten zones. Zones 1 to 5 are the original core of the park, with the lakes, old ruins and the most regular tiger sightings, and they're the ones most people try for. Zones 6 to 10 are bigger, drier and less crowded, and tigers are seen there too. Zones are assigned when you book, not chosen on the day, so book early if you have a preference. Sightings are never guaranteed in any zone.
3How and when to book
Safaris are booked on the Rajasthan forest department's official website, and seats in the popular zones sell out weeks ahead in winter and on long weekends. You'll need the name, age and ID number of every guest, and the same ID must be carried on the safari. Avoid touts selling 'guaranteed' zones. If the official site is full, canter seats are sometimes released at the booking office in Sawai Madhopur, but don't count on it.
4Safari timings and the best months
There's a morning safari starting around sunrise and an afternoon safari ending at sunset, each about three hours; exact times shift with the season. The park is open from 1 October to 30 June, and the core zones close for the monsoon from July to September. October to March is the most comfortable time. April to June is very hot, but tigers come out to the waterholes and sightings are at their best.
5Getting there from Jaipur
Ranthambore is about 180 km from Jaipur, roughly 3.5 hours by road to Sawai Madhopur. Leave Jaipur by 8 am to make an afternoon safari, or the evening before for a morning one. While you're there, climb to Ranthambore Fort and the Trinetra Ganesh Temple inside the park. Our Jaipur Ranthambore one day trip covers the drive both ways and gets you back the same night.
