Ranthambore zone 10

Ranthambore Zone 10: Aantri and Halonda

Zone 10 is the Aantri and Halonda side, a buffer zone on the far edge of the tourism area that has become one of the most requested outer zones in recent seasons. It is associated with Fateh (T-42), the big male of that side, and it offers drier, more open country with far fewer vehicles than the lakes. This page covers the gate, the drive, the tigers reported and how to request it.

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Type: Buffer zone (zones 6 to 10 are buffer)
Entry gate: Aantri side gate, far from the Sherpur gates; longer drive
Landscape: Dry open forest, scrub and plateau edge around Aantri and Halonda
Known tigers: Fateh (T-42) reported in recent seasons

Landscape and Route

Zone 10 runs through Aantri, Kushalipura and Halonda on the outer side of the reserve. The country is drier and more open than the core, with scrub, rocky ground and stretches of open forest where you can see a good distance along the track. There are a few waterholes and seasonal pools rather than lakes, and the route is a long one with fewer vehicles on it. It is a zone that was known first for birds and is now increasingly asked for because of its tigers, though the landscape alone is worth the drive.

Entry Gate and Drive Time From Hotels

Zone 10 enters through its own gate on the Aantri side, well away from the Sherpur gates used by zones 1 to 5. From the Ranthambore Road hotels allow around 40 to 60 minutes by road, so pickup is set earlier than for a core zone, usually an hour and a quarter or more before the slot. The forest department fixes the gate and has adjusted zone 10 boundaries by notification in the past, so we confirm the entry point when your permit issues and set your pickup time then.

Tigers and Other Wildlife

Fateh (T-42) is the tiger most associated with zone 10 in recent seasons, a large male named for Fateh Singh Rathore who ranges across Aantri, Halonda and the buffer beyond. Other tigers, including tigresses and dispersing young, have been reported here, and the hub lists T-13 and T-43 among those linked to the zone over the years. All of that is reported, not fixed. Zone 10 also has good chinkara, nilgai, sloth bear on the rocky ground, and a strong bird list with raptors and dry-country species.

Best Season and Slot

As a buffer zone, zone 10 has been kept open in the monsoon in recent seasons, while core zones 1 to 5 close from 1 July to 30 September. October to March is comfortable, with green cover early and clear, cool mornings later. April to June is hot in the open, but the few waterholes then concentrate animals and this is when many zone 10 tiger sightings have been reported. Morning is our usual suggestion given the heat later; winter evenings give warm light across the scrub.

Jeep or Canter Suitability

Zone 10 is best in a jeep. The route is long, the outer tracks are rougher than the lakes, and canters are not always allotted to this zone; if you want one, ask us and we will check what is permitted on your date. A jeep handles the ground, covers the distance and lets you wait at a waterhole without a crowd. It suits photographers, repeat visitors and anyone who wants a quiet drive with a real chance of a large male tiger on an open track.

How to Request Zone 10

Ask for zone 10 on your booking request and we will put it on the permit application. Zone allocation is by the forest department permit system and is never guaranteed, but zone 10 is usually easier to obtain than the lakes. We recommend it as a second or third safari after a core zone, or as a monsoon drive. We will build the longer gate drive into your pickup time and tell you plainly what recent reports say about Fateh and the rest of the zone before you decide.

Tiger walking past a safari canter and jeep with tourists

Book a Ranthambore safari

Interested in the quieter Aantri side where Fateh ranges? Share your dates and we will request zone 10 and sort out the earlier pickup. Sending a request costs nothing.

Ranthambore Jeep Safari Booking

6-seater gypsy, shared seat or private. From approx. ₹2,200 per Indian visitor.

Ranthambore Canter Safari Booking

20-seater shared canter, the lowest cost per seat. From approx. ₹1,500 per Indian visitor.

Ranthambore Safari Booking

Send your date, slot, and visitor IDs. We check permit availability and confirm the price.

Zone 10 at a Glance

Item	Detail
Type	Buffer zone
Gate side	Aantri side gate, far from Sherpur; longer drive
Terrain	Dry open forest, scrub and rocky ground
Water bodies	A few waterholes and seasonal pools
Other wildlife	Chinkara, nilgai, sloth bear, raptors, dry-country birds
Monsoon status	Kept open in recent monsoons; confirm for your dates

Frequently Asked Questions

Which gate is used for Ranthambore zone 10?

A gate on the Aantri side, well away from the Sherpur gates used by the core zones. It is a longer drive from most hotels, so pickup is set earlier. We confirm the exact entry when the permit issues.

Is zone 10 good for tiger sighting?

It has produced regular reported sightings of Fateh (T-42) and others in recent seasons and is quieter than the core, but tiger density is lower and nothing is guaranteed. We check recent reports before recommending it.

Which tigers are in zone 10?

Fateh (T-42) is the tiger most associated with zone 10 in recent seasons. Other tigers, including T-13 and T-43, have been linked to the zone over the years. Treat any list as a snapshot.

How far is zone 10 from Sawai Madhopur?

Allow around 40 to 60 minutes by road from the Ranthambore Road hotels to the Aantri side gate. We factor that into your pickup time.

Is zone 10 open in the monsoon?

It has been kept open from July to September in recent seasons, unlike core zones 1 to 5. The forest department confirms the arrangement each year, so check with us for your dates.

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Other Ranthambore safari zones

All safari zones

Safari jeep in a misty valley below the Aravalli hills

Ranthambore Zone 1: Singh Dwar and Sultanpur

Hilly Singh Dwar zone on the Sultanpur side, linked to Noor and her cubs. Core zone, easy gate, good in the dry months.

Red-walled Jogi Mahal beside Padam Talao

Ranthambore Zone 2: Jogi Mahal, Phuta Kot and Lahpur

Waterhole-rich core zone on the Jogi Mahal side with a long sighting record. Shortest gate drive from most hotels.

Tree on a small island in Padam Talao at dawn

Ranthambore Zone 3: Padam Talao and the Lakes

The lakes zone: Padam Talao, Raj Bagh and Jogi Mahal. Most requested zone in the park, now Riddhi's reported ground.

Ranthambore Zone 4: Malik Talao and Lakarda

Malik Talao and Lakarda, Machali's later territory, with sloth bears and the Laila side. Core zone on the main gate.

Ranthambore Zone 5: Kachida Valley and Bakaula

Rocky Kachida Valley, Anantpura and Bakaula. Leopard and sloth bear country with a solid tiger record. Core zone.

Safari jeeps on a dusty forest track in golden light

Ranthambore Zone 6: Kundal

Kundal: open grassland buffer zone on the far Kundal gate, sharing Noor's family with zone 1. Open in recent monsoons.

Open safari jeep passing through a stone gateway arch

Ranthambore Zone 7: Chidikho

Chidikho: small, quiet buffer zone built around a few waterholes. Few vehicles, a few resident tigers reported.

Ranthambore Zone 8: Balas

Balas: hilly, quiet buffer zone next to Chidikho. Few vehicles, scattered water, tigers reported rather than regular.

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