Incredible India
7 Things to Do in Ranthambore, One of India's Best Tiger Reserves
A former royal hunting ground in eastern Rajasthan, Ranthambore National Park pairs some of India's most reliable tiger sightings with a 10th-century fort standing inside the reserve itself.
Sep 24, 2026 · BigTravel.in
Ranthambore National Park sits in eastern Rajasthan, close to the town of Sawai Madhopur, and is among the more reliable places in India to see a wild tiger, largely because its terrain of dry deciduous forest, open grassland and lakes offers relatively clear sightlines compared with denser reserves elsewhere in the country. It was once the private hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur before being declared a sanctuary in 1955 and later becoming one of the first reserves brought under Project Tiger in 1973. Here are seven things to do.
1. A tiger safari through the core zones
Jeep and canter safaris run twice daily through Ranthambore's numbered core zones, each managed on a permit system to control visitor numbers, and while no sighting is guaranteed, the park's relatively open terrain gives it a stronger reputation for tiger encounters than many of India's other reserves.
2. Ranthambore Fort
Built in the 10th century and later fought over repeatedly by the Chauhan Rajputs, the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals, Ranthambore Fort stands on a hill within the park's core area and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Hill Forts of Rajasthan listing, reachable by a steep but manageable climb or a short drive.
3. Padam Talao and Jogi Mahal
The largest of the park's three main lakes, Padam Talao is a regular stop on safari routes and sits beside Jogi Mahal, a former royal hunting lodge no longer open for stays but still standing beside a large, centuries-old banyan tree, one of the more photographed spots in the reserve.
4. Raj Bagh Ruins
A cluster of crumbling domes, arches and pavilions along the edge of Raj Bagh Talao, another of the park's lakes, the ruins are a former royal retreat now largely reclaimed by the forest, and are frequently used by tigers and other wildlife as a backdrop, making the area a favourite stop for photographers on safari.
5. The Ganesh Temple inside the fort
Set within Ranthambore Fort's walls, the Trinetra Ganesh Temple is a significant pilgrimage site believed to be one of the few temples in India where Ganesh is depicted with his full family, and draws large numbers of visitors during Ganesh Chaturthi each year, when people send wedding invitations here by post as an offering.
6. Surwal Lake, for birdlife
A wetland a short drive from the main park, Surwal Lake attracts large numbers of migratory and resident water birds outside the core tiger zones, and is a favoured stop for visitors looking to combine wildlife photography with a quieter pace than the safari circuit.
7. Kachida Valley
A rocky, scrub-covered valley on the park's edge, outside the main tiger zones, Kachida is better known for leopard and sloth bear sightings than tigers, and its jeep-only tracks make for a quieter, less crowded alternative for a second or third safari during a longer stay.
Traveller tips
- The nearest airport is Jaipur, roughly three hours by road; Sawai Madhopur also has a railway station on a main line, a common way to arrive.
- The park is closed during the monsoon, typically July to September, and reopens for the safari season from October to June.
- Safari permits are limited and allocated by zone; booking a jeep or canter safari in advance through the official Rajasthan forest department portal is strongly advised in peak season.
- Winter mornings can be sharply cold on an open jeep even in a generally warm state; layered clothing is worth packing for early safaris between November and February.
Where this is
Ranthambore, Rajasthan