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Ranthambore Fort seen across the national park, Rajasthan
Photo: RahulDogra264, CC BY-SA 4.0

National park · India

Ranthambore National Park Wildlife Checklist

Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan is one of the best places in India to see a wild Bengal tiger in daylight, among dry forest, lakes and the ruins of a thousand-year-old fort. Leopards, sloth bears, sambar and marsh crocodiles live here too. This checklist covers 60 animals. The park's main season runs October to June, with the best tiger sightings from March to May.

Ranthambore became one of India's first Project Tiger reserves in 1973. Safaris run in ten numbered zones, each with its own route, and the zone you get is set when you book.

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See all 60 animals
The Ranthambore checklist in the Wilder app, started as a trip with the first animals ticked
Animals to find
60
Where
India
Best time
Oct to Jun (tigers: Mar to May)
Safari season
Oct to Jun

Tigers and the big animals of Ranthambore

  • Tiger, one of the animals to look for in Ranthambore

    Tiger

    Ranthambore's tigers are unusually relaxed around vehicles and often active by day. The central zones 2 to 5, with their lakes, are the classic areas, though tigers now range across all ten zones.

    Photo: Rohit Sharma, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • Leopard, one of the animals to look for in Ranthambore

    Leopard

    Pushed to the edges by the tigers, so look on the rocky hills and in the outer zones. Early morning drives near the fort walls sometimes turn one up.

    Photo: Rana.choudhuri, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • Sloth Bear, one of the animals to look for in Ranthambore

    Sloth Bear

    A shaggy black bear that digs for termites. Look on rocky hillsides early in the morning, especially in the cooler months.

    Photo: Harsha Jayaramaiah, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • Sambar Deer

    India's largest deer, famous here for wading into the lakes to feed on water plants. Their alarm call, a loud honk, often means a tiger is near.

  • Chital (Spotted Deer)

    The most common deer, in herds around the lakes and open grass. Listen for their sharp alarm calls when predators move.

  • Mugger Crocodile

    Basks on the shores of Padam Talao and Rajbagh lakes in the winter sun. Some are very large.

  • Striped Hyena

    Shy and mostly nocturnal. Rarely seen, but an early morning safari in the drier zones gives a small chance.

  • Indian Vulture

    Critically endangered across India. A colony nests on the cliffs below Ranthambore Fort, and you can see them from the fort walls.

  • Indian Peafowl

    India's national bird is everywhere in the park. Males display their long trains in the spring and early monsoon.

All 60 animals to spot in Ranthambore

Grouped the way you'll meet them. Tips show where to look.

Big mammals 6

Deer and antelope 5

Smaller mammals 6

Birds of prey 9

Water birds 13

Forest birds 18

Reptiles 3

  • Last reviewed September 2026.
  • Sources are listed below the questions.
  • Wild animals only. Please give them space.

Best time to see wildlife in Ranthambore

Zones 1 to 10 are open from 1 October to 30 June. From 1 July to 30 September the core zones, 1 to 5, close for the monsoon, while some outer zones, 6 to 10, have stayed open in recent years, weather permitting. October to February is pleasant, with cool mornings, green forest and many migrant water birds on the lakes. Tigers are seen then, but the thick growth hides them more often. From March to June it becomes very hot, often above 40°C by May. The forest dries out, water shrinks to a few lakes and pools, and tigers spend more time near them, so this is the best time for sightings if you can handle the heat. Safari timings shift with the seasons, starting earlier in summer.

  • Oct-NovPark reopens; green forest, pleasant days
  • Dec-FebCool, even cold mornings; migrant water birds on the lakes
  • Mar-AprWarming and drying; tiger sightings improve at water
  • May-JunHottest months; best tiger sightings at the lakes
  • Jul-SepMonsoon; core zones 1 to 5 closed, some outer zones open

Tips for spotting wildlife in Ranthambore

  1. Book early on the official portal

    Safari seats are sold by the Rajasthan Forest Department online, months ahead for peak dates. Zones are allotted at booking, so check which zone you have before paying an agent more.

  2. Choose a gypsy over a canter

    A gypsy is a six-seat open jeep, and a canter is a 20-seat open truck. Gypsies are quieter, more flexible and better for photography. Ask your driver not to jostle for position at a sighting.

  3. Listen for alarm calls

    Sambar honks, chital barks and langur warning calls often reveal a tiger before you see it. Your driver will stop and wait when they start.

  4. Visit the fort

    Ranthambore Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sits inside the park and is open to visitors. From its walls you can watch Indian vultures on the cliffs and look over the lakes.

  5. Look at the lakes for birds

    Padam Talao and Malik Talao hold painted storks, woolly-necked storks, bronze-winged jacanas and, in winter, many migrants. Scan the lake edges while waiting for tigers.

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The Ranthambore checklist in the Wilder app, started as a trip with the first animals ticked

Ranthambore wildlife FAQ

What animals can you see in Ranthambore?

You can see Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, sambar, chital, nilgai, wild boar, langurs and mugger crocodiles in Ranthambore, plus more than 300 bird species. This checklist covers 60 animals. Tigers are the main draw, and Ranthambore is one of the easiest places in India to see them, but leopards and sloth bears are harder to find.

When is the best time to see tigers in Ranthambore?

The best time to see tigers in Ranthambore is from March to June, when the forest is dry and tigers stay close to the lakes and waterholes. Temperatures can pass 40°C by May, so morning safaris are the most comfortable. October to February is cooler and greener, and tigers are still seen, but the thicker vegetation means sightings are less frequent.

Which zone is best for tigers in Ranthambore?

Zones 2 to 5 have historically been the best for tigers in Ranthambore, because they include the park's main lakes. Tiger territories change over time, and the outer zones 6 to 10 now give regular sightings too. No zone is guaranteed, so booking several safaris in different zones is the best approach.

Is Ranthambore open during the monsoon?

Partly. The core zones 1 to 5 of Ranthambore close for the monsoon, from 1 July to 30 September. In recent years some outer zones, numbered 6 to 10, have stayed open for safaris during this period, subject to rain and road conditions. The full park reopens on 1 October. Check the Rajasthan Forest Department booking site before planning a monsoon trip.

Sources

Last reviewed September 2026

Photo credits

All photo credits. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, resized.

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