Sariska and Ranthambore National Park both fall under the western state of Rajasthan. While the former is witnessing increasing tiger numbers after a series of unfortunate events, the latter is a showstopper when it comes to showcasing the big cat in all its glory. While comparing the two parks due to the aforementioned reasons could be questionable, it is only fair given the growing popularity of Sariska among tourists and the love for Ranthambore among wildlife enthusiasts.
Below is a studied comparison of the two parks based on:
- Area
- Tiger count
- Type of forest
- Ease of accessibility
- Highlight fauna
- Total bird species
- Operating months
- Best time to visit
- Safari types
- Permit booking
Please know, while we are going to be comparing the two parks, we will not be mentioning which one’s a winner. For us, each national park is an asset in its own little way to the ever-growing biodiverse Indian subcontinent. To say one is better than the other will not only be wrong but also be misleading since each national park has a charm of its own.
Sariska National Park
Sariska National Park, currently known as the Sariska Tiger Reserve, is located in the Aravali Hills and spans an area of around 800 square kilometres, with grasslands, dry deciduous trees, cliffs, and rocky terrain. The Maharaja of Alwar used to have his hunting preserve here. The Reserve is well-known for the majestic Royal Bengal Tigers that live there. In 1982, it was designated as a national park.
The Aravali Range and the Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion are both home to the protected area. It was designated as a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger in 1978. It is the first tiger reserve to successfully relocate Tigers (from Ranthambore). It boasts an abundance of mineral resources like copper, due to its location in the Aravali Hills.
Related Sariska Tiger Safari Tour Packages
Sariska, Corbett and Golden Triangle Tour 14 nights/15 days
Wildlife of Aravali Hills with Golden Triangle Tour 14 nights/15 days
Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park is roughly 13.5 kilometres from Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan’s capital. This spot, at the confluence of the Aravali and Vindhya hill ranges, is one of the best sites to see wild animals, as they are accustomed to being watched. The park is around 400 square kilometres in size, and when coupled with the Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary region, it is approximately 500 square kilometres.
The structures in Ranthambore National Park harken back to a bygone period. Throughout the park, there are several water features that provide great relief to the wild animals during the searing hot summer days.
Ranthambore National Park was established initially as Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 by the Government of India. In 1973, it was declared as one of the Project Tiger reserves in India. It was on 1st November 1980 that Ranthambore was declared a national park, while the forests located beside it were named Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary & Keladevi Sanctuary.
Related Ranthambore Tiger Safari Tour Packages
Tigers and Rajasthan Tour 10 nights/11 days
Indian Wildlife and the Best of Rajasthan Tour 13 nights/14 days
Sariska vs Ranthambore – Comparison
| Particulars | Sariska National Park | Ranthambore National Park |
| Total Area | 881 km² | 1536 km² |
| Tiger count | 11 as of Tiger Status Report 2018 (NTCA) | 55 as of Tiger Status Report 2018 (NTCA) |
| Type of Forest | Northern tropical dry Deciduous Forests | Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests |
| Ease of accessibility | Rail : The closest railhead is Alwar at a distance of 37 kms from the park. | Rail : The closest railhead is Sawai Madopur at a distance of 11 kms from the park. |
| Airport : The closest airport is Jaipur Airport at a distance of 122 kms from the park. Jaipur is well connected by flight from major cities in India such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and more. | Airport : The closest airport is Jaipur Airport at a distance of 180 kms from the park. Jaipur is well connected by flight from major cities in India such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and more. | |
| Road : Sariska is well connected by road by a number of cities in India: | Road : Sariska is well connected by road by a number of cities in India: | |
| – New Delhi 180 kms | – New Delhi 381 kms | |
| – Jaipur 122 kms | – Jaipur 180 kms | |
| – Agra 250 kms | – Agra 239 kms | |
| – Jodhpur 444 kms | – Bharatpur 202 kms | |
| – Udaipur 504 kms | ||
| Popular Fauna | – Royal Bengal Tiger | – Royal Bengal Tiger |
| – Indian Leopard | – Indian Leopard | |
| – Jungle Cat | – Striped Hyena | |
| – Caracal | – Sloth Bear | |
| – Striped Hyena | – Jackals | |
| – Palm Civet | – Sambar Deer | |
| – Sambar Deer | – Black Bucks | |
| Total Bird Species | 224 | 320 |
| Operating Months | 1st october – 30th june | 1st october – 30th june |
| Best time to visit | November – April | February – May |
| Safari types | Canter safaris and jeep safaris. | Canter safaris and jeep safaris. |
| Permit booking | Permit booking opens 1 year in advance. | Permit booking opens 1 year in advance. |
Should you require any further information on tours related to these national parks or more facts, please feel free to reach out to us on [email protected]
