Ranthambore lies in southeastern Rajasthan, around 14 km from Sawai Madhopur, in a landscape shaped by the meeting zone of the ancient Aravalli and Vindhya ranges. Unlike the desert landscapes commonly associated with Rajasthan, Ranthambore is characterised by rugged hills, rocky escarpments, narrow valleys, open grasslands, lakes and seasonal watercourses. The landscape rises and falls around the historic Ranthambore Fort, while the surrounding dry-deciduous forests create a distinctive mosaic of woodland and open country.

Water is another defining part of Ranthambore’s geography. The Banas River divides the wider Tiger Reserve into two parts, while the Chambal River forms its eastern side. This combination of hills, valleys, forests and water bodies creates varied habitats for species such as tiger, leopard, sloth bear, sambar, chital, nilgai, langur and a remarkable diversity of birds. The area’s geography also changes noticeably with the seasons, transforming the appearance of the forest from lush during the monsoon to much drier and more open during the summer.