Your Bandhavgarh safari cost will depend on the zone you select, the vehicle you book, and the mandatory guide who rides with every jeep. The entry permit costs Rs. 5,280 to Rs. 6,600 (about $55 to $69 or €49 to €61), depending on whether you go on a regular or a premium day.
The guide and vehicle fee is charged extra and needs to be paid at the counter before you enter.
This guide breaks down Bandhavgarh tiger safari cost in USD, INR, and EUR, so you are well-informed before planning your trip.
Table of Contents
Bandhavgarh Safari Cost at a Glance (2026-27)
| Item | INR | USD | EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full jeep, core zone (regular/premium day) | 5,280/6,600 | $55/$69 | €49/€61 |
| Single seat, core zone (regular/premium day) | 880/1,100 | $9/$11 | €8/€10 |
| Full jeep, buffer zone | 1,320 | $14 | €12 |
| Foreigner add-on to an Indian-booked jeep (regular/premium day) | 7,920/9,900 | $83/$104 | €74/€92 |
| Full-day safari, per day (first 7 days) | 64,000 | $672 | €599 |
| Full-day security deposit | 10,000 | $105 | €94 |
[Checked on October 26, 2026. Exchange rates: Rs. 95.13 per USD and Rs. 106.75 per EUR as of October 26, 2026.]
Bandhavgarh Jeep Safari Price
For international visitors, a full jeep permit in the core zone costs Rs. 5,280 on a regular day and Rs. 6,600 on a premium day (about $55/$69 or €49/€61). This covers up to six guests. You pay the guide and vehicle fee separately at the park.
You can either book the whole jeep or just the seats you need. The jeep (often called a gypsy) carries six tourists, a guide, and a driver. The full-vehicle permit costs the same as six single-seat permits, so if you fill all six seats, the price per person is the same either way. Booking the entire jeep simply keeps the vehicle to your own group.
| Permit (international visitors, core zone) | Regular day | Premium day |
|---|---|---|
| Full jeep (6 seats) | Rs. 5,280 (about $55 or €49) | Rs. 6,600 (about $69 or €61) |
| Single seat | Rs. 880 (about $9 or €8) | Rs. 1,100 (about $11 or €10) |
What the permit does not cover
The online permit only covers the entry fee for foreigners. This means that before you enter the park, you need to pay for the vehicle and guide at the counter. Remember, a guide is required on every safari.
If you have purchased single seats, the total guide and vehicle charge will be divided equally among everyone in the jeep.
Jeep vs Canter Safari: Which Costs Less?
The more affordable option between a jeep vs a canter safari depends on your group. With a jeep ride, you need to pay per vehicle or per seat. This means a group of six splits the cost. The more people you bring, the less each pays.
A canter is a larger shared vehicle. While it is usually cheaper than reserving an entire jeep, you can confirm the exact fee at the counter or online when permits open.
Jeeps are also mostly reserved online. Canters are booked at the counter, and the portal also lists canter permits one day before the safari, at 2:00 PM India time. Check which option is open when you book. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of jeep (gypsy) vs canter cost:
| Factor | Jeep (gypsy) | Canter |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Per jeep or per seat | Confirmed at the counter or when booking opens online |
| Seats | Six guests | Larger shared vehicle |
| Flexibility | Book early, private if you take the full jeep | Short-notice booking, shared with others |
| Best for | Families and small groups | Solo travelers and last-minute plans |
Bandhavgarh Safari Cost for Foreigners
The Bandhavgarh safari price for foreigners is double the Indian rate in the core zone. This applies to both the full jeep and a single seat. Buffer zone permits cost the same for everyone.
But what if it is a mixed group? If an Indian friend books the jeep and you join through the add-on option, you’ll have to pay the foreigner add-on fee. That comes to Rs. 7,920 ($83 or €74) on a regular day and Rs. 9,900 ($104 or €92) on a premium day.
Every foreigner listed on the permit must keep a passport as proof of identity.
Safari Price by Zone
Bandhavgarh National Park has three core zones: Tala, Magadhi, and Khitauli zones. It also has three buffer zones: Dhamokhar, Johila, and Panpatha.
Permit fees are the same in all three core zones. This is because the price is determined based on the date, not the gate. The difference lies in core vs buffer zone cost, and how many jeeps each zone allows per round.
- Tala Zone Safari Price: Tala is the oldest and most popular zone, and the main place for tigers. Bandhavgarh’s Tala zone safari price is the same as the other core zones. However, it allows the most jeeps: 28 in the morning and 27 in the evening.
- Magadhi Zone: This zone has waterholes that have recorded multiple tiger sightings. It allows 26 jeeps in the morning and 25 in the evening.
- Khitauli Zone: This zone has the fewest jeeps, with 21 in the morning and 20 in the evening. As such, permit availability can be tight.
- Buffer Zones: Dhamokhar, Johila, and Panpatha each allow 20 jeeps per round. A full jeep costs Rs. 1,320 (about $14 or €12) for everyone.
Full-Day Bandhavgarh Safari Price
A full-day safari cost in Bandhavgarh National Park is Rs. 64,000 per day (about $672 or €599) for the first 7 days. After that, the daily charge drops. You also need to put down a security deposit worth Rs. 10,000 (about $105 or €94).
That is far above the price of a standard morning or evening drive, so this permit isn’t meant for casual visitors. It is ideal for wildlife photographers who want a long, unhurried time in the forest instead of a few hours.
The full-day cost is subject to change, so confirm the current fee and the deposit with the park before you plan.
Bandhavgarh National Park Closure and Monsoon Rules
The core zones close for safaris during the monsoon, from July to September. The 2026-27 permit rates apply from October 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, though the reserve’s website gives October 15 as the usual opening date. So, check the exact opening date before you book. For month-by-month guidance, read our guide on the best time to see tigers in Bandhavgarh.
- August is the wettest month, with about 12 inches of rain (30.4 cm).
- May is the hottest month, with temperatures around 107°F (41.6°C).
- December is the coldest, at about 40°F (4.2°C).
Because of the summer heat, some travelers prefer October through March. However, the park’s high tiger density makes it popular for nearly the whole season.
Hidden Costs Most Guides Don’t Mention
The permit price on the MP Forest Department’s online booking portal is only part of your Bandhavgarh safari charges. A few more costs can come up later:
Guide Fee and Vehicle Fee
These aren’t part of the online permit. You must hire a guide from the reserve, and both charges should be paid at the gate.
Portal Fees
MPOnline portal fees are added to every permit. If you want to cancel your safari, you’ll have to pay a cancellation charge of Rs. 100 (about $1 or €1) for the full vehicle and Rs. 20 (about 20 cents or 19 euro cents) per person for a single seat, on top of the department’s own cancellation charge. You must cancel before 5 PM the day before your safari.
Peak Season
Premium dates increase the permit price, so check the calendar before you pick a day. Lodges and tour operators may also charge more in busy months, so ask before you book.
Mixed Groups
If a foreign guest joins a permit an Indian traveler booked, the add-on fee applies.
How to Book: MP Forest Portal vs a Tour Operator
You can get your safari permit through the MP forest portal. Most vehicles are booked online well ahead of time, and some lodges can also book for you.
Follow these steps to get your permit through the MP forest portal:
- Register as a new user at forest.mponline.gov.in, then log in.
- Choose Tiger Reserves, then Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
- Select your preferred zone, date, shift, and permit type (full vehicle or single seat).
- Enter each traveler’s details exactly as they appear on their ID.
- Pay in full and save the permit.
Bookings open at 11:00 AM India time each day and 120 days in advance. Premium Tatkal opens at 11:00 AM too, and single seats open one day before, at 2:00 PM.
However, when booking permits from abroad, you need to manage multiple things: booking windows, arriving at the park, accommodation, etc. International travelers may also not know how safari permits work in India. On top of this, popular zones like Tala also sell out fast. So, missing the booking window can mean a worse date.
An experienced tour operator can help you navigate everything seamlessly and plan a safari exactly how you want.
Here’s how self-booking vs opting for a tour package compares:
| Factor | Self-book on the portal | Tour operator |
|---|---|---|
| Who books the permit | You | They do |
| What’s covered | Entry permit | Usually permit, jeep and guide, lodge, meals, and transfers |
| What you handle | Account, passport details, timing, accommodation, travel | Sending them accurate details |
| Watch for | Sold-out dates, details matching your ID | Read each inclusion and exclusion |
Bandhavgarh Package Cost per Person
Bandhavgarh package cost per person depends on how many people share the jeep. A package usually combines the lodge stay, safaris, and transfers into one price. So, you pay a single figure instead of several separate bills.
Jungle Revives’ Bandhavgarh tiger safari tour spans 5 nights and 6 days, with 7 guided safaris led by naturalists. You arrive in New Delhi, fly to Jabalpur, then drive about four hours to your lodge near the park. Days 3 to 5 are spent in Bandhavgarh on morning and afternoon drives, and the last day takes you back to Delhi.
The package includes:
- Delhi hotel with breakfast, and Bandhavgarh lodge with all meals
- Park entry permits and the mandatory guide fee for every safari
- Air-conditioned ground transfers and airport or hotel assistance
- Applicable government taxes
It does not include:
- Domestic and international flights
- Camera charges at national parks and monuments
- Tips, alcohol, cigarettes, laundry, and phone calls
- Travel insurance or medical evacuation coverage
- Optional extras such as nature walks or night experiences
The itinerary is fully customizable, and the price depends on your preferences.
If you’re comparing parks, see the Ranthambore safari cost as well.
Wrapping Up
Your Bandhavgarh safari cost comes down to a few choices: the zone, the date, how many people share a jeep, and whether you book the permit yourself or through a package. Once you know where each charge comes from, the budget is easier to plan. If you’d rather leave the permits and logistics to someone else, Jungle Revives can plan the itinerary around your interests and preferences.
You can customize your lodge, meals, transfers, safari vehicle, and naturalist, and the team handles the logistics from arrival to farewell. Talk to a safari expert, and we’ll help you plan your Bandhavgarh tiger safari.
FAQs
How much does a Bandhavgarh safari cost?
For international visitors, a full jeep in the core zone costs Rs. 5,280 on a regular day and Rs. 6,600 on a premium day (about $55 to $69 or €49 to €61). A buffer zone jeep is Rs. 1,320 (about $14 or €12). The guide and vehicle fee is extra and paid at the gate.
What is the Bandhavgarh jeep safari price per person?
A single seat costs Rs. 880 on a regular day and Rs. 1,100 on a premium day (about $9 to $11 or €8 to €10). A full jeep can seat six people, so if all six seats are filled, splitting the full permit works out to the same price per person. You also pay your share of the guide and vehicle fee at the gate.
Is the Bandhavgarh safari cost higher for foreigners?
Foreigners pay twice the Indian rate for core zone safaris, whether they book a full jeep or a single seat. Buffer zone permits cost the same for everyone.
Which zone is best in Bandhavgarh, and does it cost more?
Tala is the oldest and richest zone for wildlife, and it is quite popular for tiger sightings. The permit costs the same in all three core zones, so you don’t have to pay extra for Tala. But it does allow the most jeeps, which can make it busier.
How do I book a Bandhavgarh safari online?
You need to register as a new user on the MP forest portal. Then, choose Bandhavgarh and pick your zone, date, shift, and permit type. Enter each traveler’s details exactly as mentioned on their passport and pay. Bookings open 120 days ahead at 11:00 AM India time. Still deciding between parks? Read our Kanha vs Bandhavgarh comparison.
How many safaris should I book in Bandhavgarh?
Tiger sightings are never guaranteed, no matter how many safaris you take. But each drive gives you another chance. The park offers morning and evening safaris daily, and Jungle Revives’ 6-day tour includes seven drives. If your budget allows, try to book a few safaris across different zones. For more on planning a tiger safari in the region, read our Madhya Pradesh tiger safari guide.
