Ranthambore is tiger country, but it also holds a healthy population of leopards. They are harder to see than tigers, which makes every sighting special.
Living alongside tigers
Tigers dominate the best ground around the lakes, so leopards keep to the edges: rocky ridges, steep slopes, the fort walls and the buffer zones. They are lighter and climb well, and they often rest on rocks or in trees.
Where to look
- Around the fort and Jogi Mahal (zone 2): leopards use the walls and slopes
- Rocky hills of the buffer zones (6 to 10): zone 8 in particular is good leopard country
- Kachida valley (zone 5): rocks and ravines
- Rocky outcrops anywhere at dawn and dusk
When
Leopards are most active early in the morning and late in the evening. Winter mornings, when they sun themselves on rocks, can be productive. Summer brings them to water like everything else.
How to spot one
- Scan the tops of rocks and the skyline of ridges
- Look for a hanging tail in a tree
- Listen for langur and peafowl alarm calls
- Use binoculars; a leopard’s rosettes blend perfectly into dappled rock
Book a mix of core and buffer zones to give yourself a chance at both cats. See the ten safari zones.