Timings

The national park is open for visitors from the 1st October to the 30th June every year. There are two safaris a day from October to June, one starting in the morning and the other late in the afternoon. Generally speaking, the morning safari starts half an hour after sunrise and the evening safari finishes half an hour before sunset. As a result, the timings change slightly every 2 months or so. Each safari is for a duration of three to three and half hours.

Zones

There are 10 different zones for tourists inside the tiger reserve, numbered from 1 to 10. At the time of entry, each vehicle is allotted a zone and it not allowed to stray from their allotted zone. Within the zone the vehicles can go anywhere on the network of tracks that exists in the zone.

Modes and Number of vehicles

gypsy for safari

There are two modes of transport for safaris in Ranthambhore – the 4 wheel drive jeeps called “Gypsys” (which seat up to 6 visitors) and 20 seater safari buses called “Canters”. A maximum of 70 vehicles, 44 Gypsys and 26 Canters, can be booked in advance for safaris into the reserve at any one safari. In addition to these vehicle that can be booked in advance there are 20 Gypsys that can be booked under what is known as “Tatkal” quota. “Tatkal” means ‘current’ in Hindi. Visitors can book 20 Gypsys for Zones 1 to 5 from this quota after paying a premium of Rs 10,000 over and above the rates for Gypsy safaris. This quota is released on the day and can not be guaranteed in advance. The number of vehicles can be increased on some busy dates.

All these vehicles are attached to the Forest department and owned and run by local people. Vehicles that are not attached to the forest department are not permitted into the park. Gypsys and Canters are booked in advance and visitors are strongly advised to book their safaris, particularly Gypsy safaris, well in advance, over 90 days, when they come up for online booking. To book the safaris we need the full names of all guests who would be going for the safari along with an identification proof. The only identification proof that is accepted for foreigners is the passport number. For Indian nationals the identification proof that are accepted are any one of the following – Voters ID / Passport number / Driving license number / Pan card number / School ID / Government ID / Employers ID. A copy of the identity proof is required to be submitted before every safari, so please carry multiple photocopies of the identification proof, along with the original.

Do’s and Don’ts for visitors to The Ranthambore National Park

DO’S

  • Maintain silence inside the Park.
  • Take care of your children.
  • Dress comfortably and soberly.
  • Maintain a safe distance from the animals.
  • Follow the instructions given by Forest Officials.
  • Park vehicles only in parking areas and road layoffs.

DONT’S

  • Litter, swim or fish.
  • Disturb the animals.
  • Play music or make noise.
  • Use spotlight, flash etc.
  • Smoke, light a fire or cook.
  • Take pets inside the park.
  • Carry weapons, explosives not toxic chemicals.
  • Over speed, overtake nor honk inside the park.
  • Get off the vehicle, except at specified places.
  • Deviate from the allotted route.
  • Crowd more than two vehicles at a spot.
  • Overstay beyond the scheduled timings.
  • Enter the park without proper entry permits.
  • Encourage your driver to stay parked at one place. The entire park is exotic and tigers are found all over the park.
Download Do’s & Dont’s for visitors on a wildlife safari.