The Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, also written Mukundara and long known locally as Darrah, is Rajasthan’s third tiger reserve and the quiet counterweight to crowded Ranthambore. It sits in the Hadoti region of southeastern Rajasthan, folding together old forests, the Chambal gorge and a historic mountain pass. This guide covers where it is, the honest state of its tiger story, when to go, how to reach it from Kota, and what the safari and permits realistically involve as of October 2026.
Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve is a 759.99 sq km protected area near Kota, Rajasthan, spanning the Kota, Bundi, Chittorgarh and Jhalawar districts of the Hadoti region. It was notified as Rajasthan’s third tiger reserve in 2013 and combines the former Darrah, Jawahar Sagar and Chambal sanctuaries along the Chambal and Kali Sindh rivers.
Key takeaways
- Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve was notified in 2013 and spans four districts (Kota, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Jhalawar) with a core of 417.17 sq km and buffer of 342.82 sq km, per the MoEFCC/WII Management Effectiveness Evaluation portal.
- The reserve held a very small tiger population through late 2025 and early 2026: the Forest Department reported five tigers in December 2025 and six tigers in January 2026, alongside roughly 100 leopards in the periphery.
- Best season is October to June, with sightings easiest in the hot pre-monsoon months; the forest typically closes during the monsoon (roughly early July to mid-September).
- Kota is the gateway: Kota Junction is the nearest major railhead, reached via the NH-27 corridor, and the Darrah gate lies about 50 km south of Kota on the Jhalawar road (Lonely Planet).
- Jungle safari began only recently; the Forest Department ran its inaugural safari in October 2023, so visitor infrastructure is still evolving and fees should be reconfirmed with the Kota office.
About Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve
Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve is a 759.99 sq km reserve in the Hadoti region of southeastern Rajasthan, with its headquarters at Kota. According to the MoEFCC/Wildlife Institute of India Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) portal, it was notified on 9 April 2013 and brings four protected blocks under one field director: Mukundara Hills National Park, Darrah Sanctuary, Jawahar Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary and part of the Chambal Gharial Sanctuary.
The reserve is named for the Mukundara (Mukundra) range of hills and for Darrah, where “darrah” means “pass” in the local language. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955, became Mukundara Hills National Park in 2004, and took its present shape as a tiger reserve in 2013. Several state current-affairs summaries describe it as Rajasthan’s third tiger reserve after Ranthambore and Sariska.
It is a linear, hill-and-valley landscape that the MEE portal itself flags as a shape weakness for a big-cat reserve. The reserve lies within the drainage of the Chambal and Kali Sindh (locally Kalisindh) rivers, with smaller streams such as the Ramzan and Ahu around its edges.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Hadoti region, southeastern Rajasthan; HQ at Kota |
| Districts | Kota, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Jhalawar |
| Notified | 9 April 2013 (Rajasthan’s third tiger reserve) |
| Core area | 417.17 sq km |
| Buffer area | 342.82 sq km |
| Total area | 759.99 sq km |
| Components | Mukundara Hills NP, Darrah, Jawahar Sagar and part of Chambal (Gharial) sanctuaries |
| Main rivers | Chambal and Kali Sindh |
How many tigers are in Mukundra?
As of early 2026, the Forest Department reported a very small tiger population: five tigers in December 2025 and six tigers in January 2026. On 23 December 2025, PTI quoted Divisional Chief Conservator of Forests Sugnaram Jat saying “there are five tigers in the reserve.” On 12 January 2026, ETV Bharat quoted Deputy Conservator of Forests Muthu Somasundaram that the reserve “currently hosts six tigers,” along with about 100 leopards in its periphery and surrounding zones.
That small number reflects a long, difficult reintroduction story. The NTCA brief and the MEE portal describe Mukundra as a reserve built to absorb the spillover tiger population dispersing from Ranthambore. For years it had no resident tigers at all; press reports from 2017 noted NTCA clearance to relocate three Ranthambore tigers after years of delay.
Treat all tiger figures here as official snapshots that change. Numbers are reported by the Rajasthan Forest Department rather than from a full census, and the reserve’s population has shifted within a single season. If a sighting is central to your trip, ask the Kota field office for the current count before you book, and keep expectations modest. Mukundra is a place for forest and landscape as much as for a guaranteed tiger.
Terrain, rivers and the Darrah pass
The reserve is a corridor of dry deciduous forest set between parallel hill ridges and cut by the Chambal gorge. The MEE portal places it in the Vindhyan ranges, with dense forest, wide valleys and plateaus, and names the Chambal as its main water source, with ravines of the Chambal and Kali Sindh acting as habitat connectors.
The Darrah pass gives the old sanctuary its name and its history. Under the princely state of Kota, this forest was the Maharaja of Kota’s royal hunting reserve before it was protected in 1955. The pass also saw the Battle of Mukandwara Pass in 1804 during the Second Anglo-Maratha War, when Holkar’s forces clashed with Colonel Monson’s East India Company troops near here (historical record).
The western edge overlooks the Chambal canyon, the same gorge system you see at Garadia Mahadev. For a dedicated look at that viewpoint and how it connects to this landscape, see our Garadia Mahadev guide, which sits a short drive north of the reserve near Kota.
Wildlife and biodiversity
Beyond tigers, Mukundra holds a broad dry-forest community: leopard, sloth bear, striped hyena, jackal, chital, sambar, nilgai, chinkara, jungle cat, Indian wolf, ratel, porcupine and langur, per the MEE portal species list. In 2020, state reports recorded a caracal, a shy, nocturnal small cat, in the reserve.
The vegetation is classic Hadoti dry deciduous forest. The MEE portal names dhok (Anogeissus pendula), salai (Boswellia serrata) and khair (Acacia catechu) as dominant trees, alongside dhak (Butea monosperma), bamboo, arjun, jamun and custard apple, and counts roughly 80 to 90 tree species in all.
| Group | What the reserve records |
|---|---|
| Carnivores | Tiger, leopard, sloth bear, striped hyena, jackal, jungle cat, caracal (recorded 2020) |
| Herbivores | Chital, sambar, nilgai, chinkara, Indian hare |
| Birds | About 140 species, resident and migratory |
| Reptiles and fish | Snakes and crocodiles; about 70 fish species in rivers and water bodies |
| Dominant trees | Dhok, salai, khair, dhak, bamboo |
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve is October to June, and the reserve typically closes through the monsoon. Incredible India lists October to March as the comfortable window; the hot pre-monsoon months of April to June concentrate animals near water and can improve sightings, if you can handle Hadoti’s heat. Lonely Planet notes the forest is often closed during the monsoon, roughly early July to mid-September.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Cool, pleasant | Oct–Mar | Best all-round weather; green cover thicker, animals more dispersed |
| Hot, dry | Apr–Jun | Harsh heat but better waterhole sightings; carry sun protection and water |
| Monsoon | Jul–Sep | Core safari usually closed; forest regenerates; confirm closure dates locally |
How to reach Mukundra Hills
You reach Mukundra Hills through Kota, which is the reserve’s gateway for rail, road and air. Kota is a major junction on the Delhi–Mumbai rail line and sits on the NH-27 east-west corridor, so most visitors arrive at Kota first and then drive south toward the Darrah gate. Lonely Planet places the Darrah entry about 50 km south of Kota, reached from the Jhalawar road.
By rail, Kota Junction is the nearest major railhead, well connected to Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai and Bhopal per Incredible India. By air, Incredible India notes Kota’s own airport has limited connectivity, so most travellers use Jaipur International Airport, roughly 250 km away, with Udaipur a farther alternative; confirm any Kota flights before relying on them.
| From | Approx. distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kota Junction (rail) | ~50 km to Darrah gate | Nearest major railhead; drive south via Jhalawar road (Lonely Planet) |
| Kota city | ~50 km | Gateway town for stays, taxis and the field office |
| Jaipur airport | ~250 km | Main usable airport; ~5–6 hr drive (Incredible India) |
| Garadia Mahadev | ~25–30 km from Kota | Chambal gorge viewpoint; easy add-on (travel sources) |
Safari zones, enclosure and permits
Safari at Mukundra Hills is recent and still developing, so treat all logistics as provisional. A UPSC current-affairs summary dated 11 October 2023 reported that the Forest Department ran the reserve’s inaugural jungle safari that month, which means organised tourism here is only a few years old and thinner than at Ranthambore.
The reserve was managed partly through an enclosed soft-release approach to rebuild its tiger population. The MEE portal mentions an 82 sq km enclosure with vegetation recovery that could support prey augmentation, the kind of fenced area used to settle translocated animals before wider release. Wildlife areas such as Darrah, Rawatbhata, Kolipura, Jawahar Sagar and Selzar appear in Forest Department sighting reports.
Entry and safari fees were not published on a reliable official page this session, so the figures below are a planning estimate only and must be reconfirmed. Incredible India lists visiting hours of 6 am to 8 pm for the reserve area.
| Item | What we could confirm |
|---|---|
| Visiting hours | 6 am–8 pm (Incredible India) |
| Safari start | Inaugural jungle safari run October 2023 (press) |
| Jeep/entry fee | Not verified this session — indicative planning estimate; confirm at booking |
| Booking | Through the Rajasthan Forest Department / Mukundra field office at Kota |
| Special permits | No ILP/PAP applies; standard reserve entry and guide rules only |
Things to see nearby
Mukundra pairs naturally with the Chambal gorge and the Hadoti towns around Kota. The standout nearby sight is Garadia Mahadev, a cliff-top Shiva shrine above a deep Chambal canyon about 25 to 30 km from Kota, per travel sources. Kota city itself offers riverfront temples and museums, and Bundi and Jhalawar add stepwells, forts and lakes within an easy day’s reach.
If you have a spare day, the walled town of Bundi, with its stepwells and palace murals, makes an excellent companion trip; our Bundi travel guide lays out its stepwells, fort and timings. Combine it with the Chambal viewpoint covered in our Garadia Mahadev guide for a well-rounded Hadoti loop.
| Place | Approx. distance from Kota | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Garadia Mahadev | ~25–30 km | Chambal gorge viewpoint and clifftop shrine |
| Kota city | Gateway | Riverfront, palace, museums and local Hadoti food |
| Bundi | ~35 km | Stepwells, Taragarh fort and palace murals |
| Jhalawar & Gagron Fort | ~85–90 km | UNESCO-listed hill-and-water fort and Jhalawar’s palaces |
Where to stay and budget
Stay in Kota, because the reserve has little on-site accommodation and Kota has the fullest range of hotels and transport. The city covers budget guesthouses through mid-range hotels and a few upper-tier riverside properties, and it keeps you close to the Darrah gate and to Garadia Mahadev. Book ahead during the cool season and around Kota’s coaching-exam peaks, when rooms fill fast.
The ranges below are indicative planning bands for Kota as of October 2026, not quoted tariffs; reconfirm current rates when you book. They assume a two-day trip with one reserve visit and a Garadia Mahadev add-on.
| Tier | Stay (per night) | Rough 2-day total per person |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹1,000–₹2,000 (guesthouse, shared) | ₹3,500–₹6,000 |
| Mid-range | ₹2,500–₹5,000 (3-star hotel) | ₹7,000–₹12,000 |
| Comfort | ₹6,000+ (riverside/upper-tier) | ₹13,000+ |
Totals assume shared transport and the safari/entry cost reconfirmed locally. Hadoti food in Kota is worth trying: look for dal-baati-churma (lentils with baked wheat balls and sweet crumble), gatte ki sabzi (gram-flour dumplings in curry) and the local Kota kachori (fried spiced snack).
Responsible wildlife rules and tips
Treat Mukundra as a fragile, recovering reserve and keep your footprint small. Stay in your vehicle, keep voices low, never feed or bait animals, and carry out all plastic. A 2020 eco-sensitive-zone notification restricts industrial and high-impact activity within a 1 km buffer, and the reserve’s whole purpose is to settle a tiny tiger population, so distance and quiet matter more here than photographs.
Practical notes: carry cash, as rural ATMs and UPI coverage can be patchy near the gates; fuel up in Kota; and book safaris and guides through the official Kota office rather than touts. Mobile network thins inside the forest. Summers are severe, so carry water, a hat and sun cover; winters need a light jacket for early-morning drives.
- Follow guide and gate instructions; drones and off-track driving are not allowed in the reserve.
- Keep a respectful distance from any big cat and do not block its path.
- Solo and women travellers generally find Kota comfortable; still book reserve visits through official channels and travel to the gate in daylight.
- Nearest full hospitals are in Kota city; carry basic medicines and any personal prescriptions.
Frequently asked questions
How many tigers does Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve have?
The Rajasthan Forest Department reported a very small number: five tigers in December 2025 (PTI, quoting DCCF Sugnaram Jat) and six tigers in January 2026 (ETV Bharat, quoting DCF Muthu Somasundaram), plus about 100 leopards in the periphery. Numbers change, so reconfirm the current count with the Kota office.
Where is Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve located?
Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve lies in the Hadoti region of southeastern Rajasthan, near Kota, and spans four districts: Kota, Bundi, Chittorgarh and Jhalawar. Per the MoEFCC/WII MEE portal it covers 759.99 sq km along the Chambal and Kali Sindh rivers, with a core of 417.17 sq km.
What is the best time to visit Mukundra Hills?
The best time is October to June. October to March offers the most comfortable weather (Incredible India), while hot April to June brings animals to water and can improve sightings. The forest usually closes during the monsoon, roughly early July to mid-September, so check closure dates before travelling.
How do I reach Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve?
Reach Kota first, then drive about 50 km south to the Darrah gate via the Jhalawar road (Lonely Planet). Kota Junction is the nearest major railhead on the Delhi–Mumbai line and sits on the NH-27 corridor. The usable airport is Jaipur, roughly 250 km away; Kota’s airport has limited connectivity.
Is safari open at Mukundra Hills, and do I need a permit?
Yes, but tourism is young here: the Forest Department ran its inaugural jungle safari in October 2023, and infrastructure is still developing. No special permit such as an Inner Line Permit applies; book standard reserve entry and a guide through the official Kota field office, and reconfirm fees, which were not published officially this session.
Is Mukundra worth visiting if tiger sightings are rare?
Yes, if you go for the landscape rather than a guaranteed tiger. Mukundra offers the Chambal gorge, dry-forest biodiversity, leopards and a quiet, uncrowded reserve with real history in the Darrah pass. Pair it with Garadia Mahadev and Bundi for a fuller Hadoti trip rather than relying on a single sighting.
Last updated and sources
Go if you want a calm, lesser-visited Rajasthan reserve rich in forest, river gorge and history, and you will not be disappointed by a slim chance of a tiger. The cool, dry window of October to March is the easiest time to plan a first visit from Kota.
Last updated: 17 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: MoEFCC/Wildlife Institute of India Management Effectiveness Evaluation portal, Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve page (mee-tr.wii.gov.in); NTCA brief note on Mukandra Hills Tiger Reserve (ntca.gov.in); Incredible India, Mukundara Tiger Reserve (incredibleindia.gov.in); PTI via The Week, documentary and five-tiger figure, 23 December 2025 (theweek.in); ETV Bharat, six-tiger figure, 12 January 2026 (etvbharat.com); Drishti IAS, Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (drishtiias.com); Wikipedia, Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary, for history and 1955/2004 dates (en.wikipedia.org); Lonely Planet, Darrah access and monsoon closure (lonelyplanet.com). Accessed September 2026.
