My Jungle Junction

Sariska Tiger Reserve, Alwar, Rajasthan

Sariska is an Aravalli tiger reserve near Delhi and Jaipur, with hill forest, temples and forts. Its tigers were reintroduced from Ranthambore in 2008, and the population has been recovering ever since.

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Plan Your Safari

Talk to a wildlife specialist.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by My Jungle Junction.

By submitting, you agree to our Cancellation & Refund Policy and Privacy Policy.

My Jungle Junction's Guide to Sariska Tiger Reserve

The Sariska Tiger Reserve Safari Experience

Sariska covers around 1,203 sq km according to the National Tiger Conservation Authority, with a core or critical tiger habitat of roughly 881 sq km and a buffer of about 322 sq km. Within the reserve lies a national park of around 274 sq km. Tehla is the main gate, and safaris explore routes into the hills and valleys.

Two nights is a good length of stay, giving you three or four safaris, and you can add time for sightseeing. Kankwari Fort, on one of the reserve's two large plateaus, is part of its history.

Tigers were wiped out by poaching around 2004, and in 2008 a male (ST1) and female (ST2) were translocated from Ranthambore, in a pioneering conservation project. ST1 later died in 2010, but the population has since grown through breeding and further translocations.

1,203

sq. km reserve

1 + 1

Core + Buffer zones

1978

Declared National Park

Sariska Tiger Reserve Safari Packages

My Jungle Junction's Bestselling Sariska Tiger Reserve Safari Packages

At My Jungle Junction, Amit and the team build Sariska Tiger Reserve itineraries around how the park actually works: which gate suits your dates, how many safaris give a fair chance of good sightings, and where to sleep so early starts stay painless. We book permits and vehicles well ahead, keep groups small, and can pair Sariska Tiger Reserve with other reserves on the same trip. Tell us your dates and pace and we will shape a plan rather than hand you a fixed list.

How Many Safaris Should You Do in Sariska Tiger Reserve?

Plan Your Sariska Safaris

Sariska's tigers are shy and the terrain is large, so patience pays. We usually recommend three to four safaris, mixing mornings and afternoons, to give you a fair chance of a sighting while enjoying the forest, birds and leopards. Because the reserve is easy to combine with Jaipur or Delhi, it also works well as a short break. We handle bookings and confirm the routes available.

Two safaris give you a first look at Sariska's hills and valleys, and a pleasant weekend break from Delhi or Jaipur. A tiger sighting is possible but not likely.

Three safaris over two nights is what we recommend for most guests, covering different routes and times of day.

Four to six safaris suit photographers, birders and anyone who enjoys long quiet drives and is willing to wait for sightings. Spread them over three nights.

Sariska suits travellers who like dramatic landscapes, temples and forts alongside wildlife, and who want to visit a reserve that is still recovering. For a stronger tiger chance, combine it with Ranthambore.

Best Safari Zones

Gates & Safari Routes in Sariska

Sariska's main tourism gate is Tehla, where safari vehicles enter and routes spread out into the hills. Inside the reserve are places of historical and religious interest, including Kankwari Fort on one of the large plateaus, and temples such as Bhartrihari and Pandupol, which pilgrims visit. The tourism area is only a part of the large reserve, and a lot of the core is closed to the public. Routes, vehicle numbers and permits are controlled by the forest department and may change, so we confirm current arrangements for your dates.

Tehla Gate

The main safari entry, from which vehicles enter the tourism area of the reserve.

Safari routes (Core)

Forest tracks into the hills and valleys, with chances of tiger, leopard, sambar and nilgai.

Kankwari Fort

A historic fort on one of the reserve's two large plateaus, within the wider reserve.

Bhartrihari Temple

A well-known temple inside the reserve, visited by pilgrims and often combined with safaris.

Pandupol

A site with a temple and a natural gorge, associated with the Mahabharata and visited by pilgrims.

How to Reach & When to Visit

How to Reach & Best Time to Visit Sariska Tiger Reserve

✈️

By Air

Jaipur and Delhi are the nearest airports. Jaipur is roughly 3 hours by road, and Delhi around 4 to 5 hours, depending on traffic.

🚆

By Train

Alwar Junction is the nearest major railhead, connected to Delhi and Jaipur. A taxi from Alwar to Sariska takes about an hour.

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By Road

Sariska is reached by road from Delhi via Gurugram and Alwar, and from Jaipur via Dausa. Roads are good, and we arrange private transfers.

Best Time to Visit Sariska Tiger Reserve

October to June is the main season, with winter most comfortable and summer best for tiger sightings.

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Winter
Oct - Feb

Cool and clear, with pleasant weather. Good for birds, leopards and general wildlife, though mornings can be cold in open jeeps.

☀️
Summer
Mar - Jun

Hot, but animals visit waterholes and foliage is thin, which improves your chances of seeing tigers. Go early.

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Monsoon
Jul - Sep

Safaris in the core are generally closed during the rains. Check with us for the current rules and dates.

MJJ Insight : Sariska safaris are booked through the Rajasthan forest department and the number of vehicles is limited. Book early for weekends and winter, and let us confirm your Tehla gate timings.

The Wildlife of Sariska Tiger Reserve

Beyond the Tiger: Sariska Tiger Reserve's Wildlife

Sariska's wildlife is typical of the Aravalli hills. Tigers have been reintroduced and are breeding, and leopards are fairly common on the rocky slopes. Other predators include striped hyena, jackal, jungle cat and caracal. Herbivores include sambar, chital, nilgai, wild boar and four-horned antelope. Langurs and rhesus macaques are everywhere, especially near the temples. Sariska is very good for birds, with peafowl, grey junglefowl, Indian eagle-owl, crested serpent eagle, golden-backed woodpeckers and many raptors. Reptiles include python, monitor lizard and cobra. Tiger sightings are possible but less predictable than at the best-known parks.

Sariska Tiger Reserve, Alwar, Rajasthan - wildlife sighting
Sariska Tiger Reserve, Alwar, Rajasthan - wildlife sighting
Sariska Tiger Reserve, Alwar, Rajasthan - wildlife sighting
Sariska Tiger Reserve, Alwar, Rajasthan - wildlife sighting

Sariska's Tiger Reintroduction

ST1, ST2 and the pioneering tiger translocation of 2008

Sariska is famous for what happened to its tigers. Poaching wiped them out by 2004, and in 2008 a male (ST1) and a female (ST2) were brought from Ranthambore. Since then, breeding and further translocations have steadily rebuilt the population. The project has had setbacks, but it remains one of the most closely watched tiger recovery efforts in India.

ST1 ST2 Tehla Gate Kankwari Bhartrihari

The reintroduction of tigers to Sariska was a landmark in Indian conservation. ST1, a male, was released on 28 June 2008, and ST2, a female, on 4 July 2008, both from Ranthambore. Their story shows how a lost population can be restored.

The project faced setbacks, including ST1's death in 2010, believed to have been caused by poisoning. Even so, the reserve's tigers have bred, and the population has grown with careful monitoring and further translocations.

Individual tigers change over time, so ask your guide who is currently being seen at Tehla and along the routes.

Your Stay in Sariska Tiger Reserve

Your Stay in Sariska Tiger Reserve

Where to Stay in Sariska Tiger Reserve

Most lodges and resorts are near Tehla gate and along the road between Alwar and Sariska, giving easy access for early starts. Options range from heritage-style hotels, including the former hunting lodge associated with the royal family, to comfortable resorts and budget guesthouses. Choose by how close you want to be to the gate, your budget and the style of stay. Alwar town offers more choice and facilities, with a longer morning transfer. Because Sariska is close to Delhi and Jaipur, weekends and holidays fill up, so book early. We can recommend a stay to suit your needs.

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Safari Etiquette

Dos and Don'ts on a Sariska safari

✓ Dos

  • ✓ Keep your voice low inside the forest.
  • ✓ Listen to your guide and naturalist.
  • ✓ Respect safari routes and forest regulations.
  • ✓ Carry water, sun protection and suitable clothing.
  • ✓ Keep your camera ready without disturbing wildlife.

✕ Don'ts

  • ✕ Ask the driver to break rules.
  • ✕ Request a driver to block an animal's movement.
  • ✕ Feed wildlife.
  • ✕ Throw anything from the vehicle.

Why Should You Visit Sariska Tiger Reserve

A tiger comeback story just a few hours from Delhi and Jaipur

Sariska is one of India's most important tiger recovery stories. After tigers were lost to poaching, the reserve became a pioneering case of tigers being translocated from another reserve, and the population has been rebuilding since 2008. It also offers dramatic Aravalli scenery, ancient temples and a historic fort, so a safari can sit alongside culture and sightseeing. Because it is so close to Delhi and Jaipur, it makes an easy short break. Come for the landscape, leopards and birds, and see a reserve that shows how conservation can recover from setbacks.

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions about Sariska

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