Planning a safari in Ranthambore National Park can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first wildlife experience. Between zones, slots, prices, and limited availability, it’s easy to get confused.

The good news is that in 2025, the Rajasthan Government launched a new, more streamlined and foolproof website for booking safari tickets to Ranthambore National Park.

This guide breaks down exactly how to book a Ranthambore safari, based on the official Rajasthan Forest Department booking portal and my own booking experience, so you can plan your safari with clarity and confidence.

Official Website for Ranthambore Safari Booking

All Ranthambore safaris are booked through the official Rajasthan Forest Department wildlife booking portal. 

This is the only government-authorised platform for booking safari permits, which are mandatory for entering Ranthambore National Park.

Ranthambore Safari Booking: Key Notes You Must Know

Booking Portal Timings

• 1:30 AM to 11:30 PM (IST) — Daily

Advance & Tatkal Booking

• Advance booking: Up to 90 days in advance
  
• Tatkal booking: Opens 7 days before the safari date

Safari Zones

• Ranthambore has 10 safari zones
  
• Zones 1 to 5 (core zones): Closed on Wednesdays
  
• Zones 6 to 10 (buffer zones): Closed on Tuesdays

Safari Slots

Two safaris operate daily:

• Morning Safari: 6:00 AM – 9:30 AM
  
• Evening Safari: 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM
  (Timings may vary slightly by season)

Safari Vehicles

• Gypsy: Up to 6 people
  
• Canter: Up to 20 people

Both vehicles are accompanied by an authorised forest guide.

ID Rules

• Safari permits are non-transferable
  
• ID verification is mandatory at the park gate

If you’re trying to book high-demand zones, logging in early, especially when the portal opens, can make a difference.

Safari Zones in Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore National Park has 10 safari zones, each offering a unique landscape and wildlife experience. Some zones are known for dense forests, some for lakes and birdlife, and some for frequent tiger movement. Zones 1 to 5 are considered the original core zones and zones 6 to 10 are buffer zones.

Zone 3 and Zone 4 of the Ranthambore National Park are especially popular due to frequent sightings and scenic routes, which is why they often sell out weeks in advance, especially Gypsy safaris. Tigress Riddhi is frequently seen around the lakes in these zones

That said, tiger sightings are unpredictable, and every zone offers its own beauty and wildlife moments.

Understanding Safari Ticket Pricing (Very Important)

When booking online, the price shown initially may look lower than expected. This is because it shows only the entry fee, not the full cost.

For example, while booking a shared morning safari, the breakdown typically looks like this:

Canter Safari Pricing 

Entry Fee (per person):

• Indian Shared Canter: ₹315
  
• Non-Indian Shared Canter: ₹1603
  
• Student (Indian) Canter: ₹180
  

Additional Mandatory Charges:

• Canter vehicle fee: ₹508.20 per canter
  
• Guide fee: ₹64.90 per person

The canter and guide fees are automatically calculated and added to the total amount during checkout.

Gypsy Safari Pricing 

Entry Fee (per person):

• Indian Shared Gypsy: ₹655
  
• Non-Indian Shared Gypsy: ₹1943
  
• Student (Indian) Gypsy: ₹520
  (Only valid school or college ID holders are eligible for student tickets.)

Additional Mandatory Charges:

• Gypsy vehicle fee: ₹618.45 per gypsy
  
• Guide fee: ₹181.72 per person

This pricing structure is taken directly from the official website and may vary in the future.

The canter or gypsy and guide fees are mandatory and are automatically added during checkout based on the number of visitors.

The final amount is clearly shown before payment.

Step-by-Step: How to Book a Ranthambore Safari Online

1. Visit the official Rajasthan Forest Department safari booking portal
   Rajasthan Forest Department Website 

2. Select Ranthambore National Park & Click on Book Safari

3. Read instructions, click OK, and now choose your date, zone, and safari slot

4. Click on an available slot to view ticket availability

5. Select vehicle type (Gypsy or Canter) and add number of people as per given categories

6. Review the final price breakdown, click on Pay.

7. Click on accept & Continue. Enter visitor details exactly as per valid ID proof

8. Complete the online payment
9. Download and save your safari permit (digital + printed copy)
10. One day before your safari, you will receive a text message with safari details like vehicle number, guide contact and other details on your registered number.
    

Important Advice Before Your Safari

• Popular zones sell out well in advance
  
• Single-safari tiger sightings are rare
  
• Carry the same ID used during booking
  
• Wear muted colours during the safari
  
• Follow forest rules and guide instructions strictly
  

Final Thoughts

Booking a Ranthambore safari requires a bit of patience and planning, but once you enter the forest, the waiting, the sudden calls, and the stillness remind you that this experience is about much more than just a sighting.

Whether you see a tiger or not, Ranthambore has its own way of leaving a mark on you.

If you’re curious about what a first safari here actually feels like, you can read about my experience in The Roar of Ranthambore: My First Safari Experience, where I’ve shared the morning exactly as it unfolded.

Let the forest surprise you. 🌿
If this guide helped you, I’d love to know. Feel free to share your thoughts or questions below.