Tiger Safari · Jeep & Canter · Kota
Tiger Safari in Kota: Jeep & Canter Safaris in Mukundara
Open-jeep and canter safaris through the Darrah and Kolipura ranges of Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR) — the closest tiger reserve to Kota, and one of India's most closely watched tiger recoveries.
Photo: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0
Kota's own tiger safari
For decades, anyone in Kota who wanted to see a tiger drove three hours north to Ranthambhore. That is changing. Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve — MHTR, spelt Mukundra on many signboards — begins almost at Kota's southern edge and runs some 80 km along twin sandstone ridges, from the Chambal near Rawatbhata to Gagron in Jhalawar. Regular jungle safaris for visitors opened in October 2023, and the reserve's tiger population has grown from a single tigress in 2022 to seven animals by mid-2026.
A Mukundara safari is not Ranthambhore. There are fewer tigers and far fewer vehicles, forests are denser, and alongside a very good chance of a tiger a drive is as likely to deliver a sloth bear on a rocky slope, a leopard on a ruined wall or a wolf crossing a plateau. What you get in return are empty tracks, the princely hunting palaces of Darrah, and the quiet thrill of watching a wilderness being rebuilt.
Jeep or canter?
Mukundara's safaris run in two kinds of open vehicle on the same forest-department routes and in the same slots. The forest — and the chance of a tiger — is the same in both; what changes is the group, the ride and the price per seat.
Up to 6 guests · flexible
Open jeep (Gypsy)
Seats up to 6 guests, sits low to the ground and moves quietly — the choice for photographers, couples and families who want a private vehicle.
Up to 20 guests · steadier ride
Canter
A larger open-top vehicle for up to 20 guests, with a higher seat and a steadier ride, usually cheaper per seat — the choice for groups, school parties and solo travellers on a budget.
| Open jeep (Gypsy) | Canter | |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | Up to 6 guests | Up to 20 guests |
| Best for | Photographers, couples, families, small private groups | Groups, schools, colleges, budget travellers |
| Ride | Low, nimble, bumpy on rocky tracks | High seat, steadier, slower to manoeuvre |
| Photography | Eye-level angles; easier to position | Higher viewpoint over grass; shared space |
| Cost | Higher per person when booked as a whole vehicle | Usually lower per seat |
| Availability | Seven vehicles were registered for Mukundara by mid-2026, with more jeeps and canters planned — book early for weekends and holidays. | |
Safari routes
Safaris are run by the Rajasthan Forest Department on fixed routes. Two are open to visitors now; more are being added as the tiger population grows.
| Route | Status (2026) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Darrah Range ≈ 50 km from Kota · NH-52 | Open | The historic heart of the reserve: a valley between the twin ridges, Darrah's old shikargah and the ruins of Bhim ki Chauri nearby. Good for sloth bear, leopard, sambar and chinkara. |
| Kolipura Range | Open | Forest tracks and waterholes of the Kolipura range. Tiger sightings across the reserve have risen steadily since 2025. |
| Borabas Range Along the Chambal, from Daulatganj | Planned | A ≈ 15 km circuit along the Chambal right next to Kota city; routes were finalised in October 2025 to cut travel time for visitors. |
| Daulatganj – Garadiya Chambal viewpoint | In development | A new route approved by the NTCA that ends at the Chambal gorge viewpoint. |
Safari timings
There are two safari slots a day. Current reported slots are below; exact times move with sunrise and sunset through the year.
| Slot | Reported timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | ≈ 6:00 – 9:00 AM | Coolest hours; best light and animal activity. |
| Afternoon | ≈ 3:00 – 6:00 PM | Warmer; waterholes are busiest in April–June. |
How booking works
- Choose your dates, slot and vehicle — open jeep or canter. Weekends and holidays fill first; vehicles are still limited.
- Contact us — call or WhatsApp +91 77373 39915 or email wildlifectp@gmail.com — with names, number of people, ID type and nationality. We'll confirm availability and the current booking process.
- Permits are issued by the Rajasthan Forest Department. Tickets have been sold at the Darrah range office; an online booking system is being introduced in 2026.
- Carry the photo ID used for booking and reach the gate 20 minutes before the slot.
What you might see
- Tiger Panthera tigris
- Leopard Panthera pardus
- Sloth bear Melursus ursinus
- Indian wolf Canis lupus pallipes
- Striped hyena Hyaena hyaena
- Golden jackal Canis aureus
- Jungle cat Felis chaus
- Sambar Rusa unicolor
- Chital Axis axis
- Chinkara Gazella bennettii
- Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus
- Wild boar Sus scrofa
Birdlife is rich: over 225 species have been recorded in the reserve, including the Indian pitta and Indian paradise flycatcher in the monsoon, crested serpent eagles, owls, nightjars and parakeets. Wildlife guide & sighting planner →
The tigers of Mukundara (2026)
Mukundara's tigers are identified by MT numbers. By mid-2026 the reserve held seven: two males, four females and a cub.
| ID | Sex | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| MT-5 | Male | T-110 from Ranthambhore, released November 2022 |
| MT-6 | Female | Relocated from Ranthambhore in August 2023; mother of a cub born in the reserve in 2025 |
| MT-7 | Female | Orphaned Ranthambhore cub raised at Abheda Biological Park, Kota; in a 21-ha rewilding enclosure from February 2026 |
| MT-8 “Kankati” | Female | RBT-2507 from Ranthambhore, June 2025 |
| MT-9 | Male | T-2408 from Ranthambhore (born 2022, Khandar range), January 2026 |
| MT-10 “Vindhya” | Female | From Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh — Mukundara's first inter-state translocation, released March 2026 |
More tigers are planned. The full timeline from 2003 →
Safari etiquette
- Stay seated and quiet; never ask a driver to go off-track or crowd an animal.
- No feeding, littering or single-use plastic inside the reserve.
- Wear muted colours; carry water, a cap and a warm layer for winter mornings.
- Do not share live tiger locations on social media.
Tiger safari FAQs
Where does the Mukundara tiger safari start?
From the Darrah range, about 50 km (one hour) south of Kota on NH-52, and from the Kolipura range. The exact reporting point is confirmed with your booking.
Will I see a tiger on a Mukundara safari?
Your chances are very good — the reserve held seven tigers by mid-2026 and sightings have risen steadily, though no wild tiger is ever guaranteed. Leopards, sloth bears, wolves, hyenas, sambar and chinkara make every drive worthwhile.
Should I choose a jeep or a canter?
Choose an open jeep (Gypsy), which seats up to 6 guests, for a small group, a quieter drive and low angles for photography. Choose a canter, which seats up to 20, for groups and school parties, a higher seat and a steadier ride; it usually costs less per seat. Both use the same forest-department routes and slots. Compare them.
What does a tiger safari in Kota cost?
Fees depend on nationality, vehicle (jeep or canter) and season, and were being revised in 2026. Call or WhatsApp +91 77373 39915 or send an enquiry and we'll quote the current fee, so you never plan on an out-of-date price.
Is Mukundara like Ranthambhore?
No — and that is its charm. Ranthambhore has many more tigers and many more vehicles. Mukundara offers quiet tracks, denser forest, historic ruins beside the safari gate and the chance to follow a tiger population as it recovers.
Is the safari open during the monsoon?
Core-zone safaris in Rajasthan's tiger reserves usually pause from July to September. Ask us for this season's opening and closing dates.
Can children and older travellers join?
Yes. Jeeps are open and tracks can be bumpy, so bring a cushion and water; the canter is a steadier option for groups.
Talk to us
Plan your Mukundara visit
Tiger safari by jeep or canter, a Chambal boat safari, wildlife trails or a heritage and rock-painting visit — send your dates and group size by WhatsApp, phone or email and we'll help you plan it.