How to plan for Ranthambore?

In this article, we will let you know How to plan for Ranthambhore. You should pre plan things in advance. As all of us know that there are limited numbers of vehicles allowed in any National Park. This is done to minimize pressure on animals. Otherwise they will get disturb & leave that place. In this article, I will let you know How to plan for Ranthambhore.

If you want to enjoy Ranthambhore then two nights stay is recommended. In two nights stay, you will get three or four safari to the park . This make strong chances for good Tiger sightings. In winter general percentage of sightings comes about 15-20 %. In summer,  chance for sightings increases by 30-60%.

In Ranthambhore, If you don’t plan things 06 months in advance then, your safaris will be more expensive. Now a days there are two type of safari as per costing is concerned. The one is Normal /Advance Quota ( Pricing) & the other is Premium safari.

Weekly closer of zones:

One should keep in mind zone that Ranthambhore is not completely closed for safaris. Tuesday & Wednesday only half park opens.

Zones 01 to 05 are closed on every Wednesday . Similarly zones 06 to 10 are closed on every Tuesday.

Taj mahal is closed on every Friday & Delhi monuments are closed on every Monday. So while desgning multiday tours these points should be kept in mind.

Normal/General Pricing Safari:

There are two safaris in a day. One is morning & other is evening. The morning safari starts between 06 to 07 Am & lasts for 03:30 hrs. The evening, safari start in the afternoon & ends at evening around sunset. The duration of both safaris is same. The safari timing keeps on changing as per sunrise & sunset.

There are only 25 jeeps ( 06 seated open jeep) in 01 to 05 zones. Each zone has 05 jeeps which are booked 90-150 days prior to date of visit. Similarly, there are 25 Canters ( 20 seated open bus).Once the booking is open then, safari tickets becomes subject to availability in these prime zones. In zone  07 & 08  canters are not used for safari due to tough terrain of the hills. Here only jeeps are allowed for safari.

Once the advance quota is full then only Premium & Tatkal/ Instant quota safaris are possible for jeeps in 01 to 05 zones which is very expensive. However, Canter safari is possible.

For general traveler, zones are more important than type of vehicle. Suppose if jeeps are not available in any date then Canter in good zone, will be good option.

Few safaris by canter in prime zones & few safaris by jeeps in 06 to 10 zones will be good option for safaris if you are unable to get jeeps in advance quota.

The other important thing is the good guide. A experienced guide will enhance your safari experience by 25%. Especially in zones 06 to 10 zones senior experienced guide is important.

Tatkal/ Instant quota Safari:

There are few jeeps in Tatkal  quota for 01 to 06 zones. In this system, you will get jeep for safari by paying Tatkal / Premium (current) fee to the department.In general Tatkal Safaris are three times costlier than advance jeeps. The number of jeeps in this quota is 18. The duration of this safari is same 03:30 hours. You can select zone of your choice in this system.

This quota opens 08 days prior to visit dates. These Tatkal / Instant quota safaris are booked on private basis only.

Premium Quota:

This quota opens 03 days prior to visit date only against cancelled seats in Jeeps & Canters which were booked in advance quota. This can be booked per seat basis but if there is no cancellation than no inventory opens. Cost is three times of normal safari on per person basis . Cost could be cheaper but with less surety.