How to book, what it costs, and which zone to pick.
Want to see a tiger in Bandhavgarh? First you need a safari booking.
Bandhavgarh safari seats sell out fast, mostly in the Tala and Magadhi zones. This guide shows you how to book, what it costs and which zone to pick. It takes about 6 minutes to read.
Bandhavgarh Safari Booking: Quick Facts
How to Book a Bandhavgarh Safari Online
You can book the safari yourself on the official MP Forest portal, forest.mponline.gov.in. Follow these steps:
- Open the portal and choose Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
- Pick your date and shift (morning or evening).
- Pick the zone (Tala, Magadhi, Khitauli or a buffer zone). You can see how many seats are left.
- Choose full jeep or single seat.
- Fill in each visitor's name, age, gender and ID number.
- Pay online and download your permit. Keep a printout and a copy on your phone.
Don't want to do it yourself? Send your details on mpforestonline.com or call/WhatsApp +91 92850 11011. We check the seats, suggest the best zone and book the safari for you.
Important: Type the ID number very carefully. The forest staff check it at the gate. A wrong number can stop you from going in. You cannot change the date or zone after booking.
Full Jeep or Single Seat?
| Full Jeep | Single Seat | |
|---|---|---|
| Good for | Families and groups of 4 to 6 | Solo travellers and couples |
| Cost | You pay for the whole jeep | You pay only for your seat |
| Who sits with you | Only your group | Other visitors too |
| Guide | You can ask for a guide | The park gives you a guide |
If you are 4 or more people, a full jeep is usually the better deal.
Bandhavgarh Safari Price
A Bandhavgarh safari cost has three parts:
- Permit fee: paid online when you book.
- Jeep (gypsy) hire: for the open jeep and the driver.
- Guide fee: a forest guide sits with you on every safari.
Here is a rough idea for 2026:
| Safari type | Approx. total cost |
|---|---|
| Core zone, full jeep (Indians) | About ₹7,500 to ₹10,000 per jeep |
| Core zone, per person (6 sharing) | About ₹1,250 to ₹1,700 each |
| Buffer zone, full jeep | Usually a little cheaper than core |
| Foreign visitors | Higher than for Indian visitors |
| Weekends and holidays | Higher than on normal days |
Note: The MP Forest Department changes the fees from time to time. Always check the final price before you pay. A tip for the driver and guide is extra.
Which Zone Should You Book?
Bandhavgarh has 3 core zones (best for tigers) and a few buffer zones (easier to book, fewer jeeps).
Tala
CoreThe most famous zone. Fort hill, Shesh Shaiya, many tigers. Fills up first.
Magadhi
CoreGrassland and water holes. Very good tiger sightings.
Khitauli
CoreFewer jeeps and a calm forest. Good for birds and photos.
Panpatha
BufferEasy to book. Tigers are seen here too.
Dhamokhar
BufferQuiet zone, good when core zones are full.
Johila
BufferLess crowded, good for a calm drive.
Our simple advice:
- First safari? Book Tala or Magadhi.
- Doing 3 or 4 safaris? Mix zones, for example Tala + Magadhi + Khitauli.
- Core zones full? Don't cancel your trip. Book Panpatha or another buffer zone. Tigers are seen there too.
Check your gate: Your permit shows the gate. Tala and Magadhi start near Tala village. Khitauli and the buffer zones have their own gates, so check how far your hotel is.
Tatkal and Last-Minute Booking
Some seats can open close to the safari date:
- Tatkal seats: a small number of seats open a few days before the safari, often from cancellations.
- Current booking: sometimes a few seats open a day before.
These seats are very few and go in minutes. Don't plan your trip on them. Book early if you can.
Bandhavgarh Safari Timings
There are two safaris every day: one in the morning and one in the evening.
| Season | Morning Safari | Evening Safari |
|---|---|---|
| October to February | About 6:00–6:45 AM to 11:30 AM | About 3:00 PM to 5:30–6:15 PM |
| March to June | About 5:30–5:45 AM to 11:30 AM | About 4:00 PM to 6:45–7:00 PM |
- Reach the gate 30 to 45 minutes early.
- There is no evening safari on Wednesday. The park is also closed on Holi and Diwali.
See the full month-by-month list in our Bandhavgarh safari timings guide.
Tips to See a Tiger in Bandhavgarh
- Do 3 to 4 safaris. Each safari is a new chance.
- Go in March to June. The forest is dry and tigers come to water.
- Choose Tala and Magadhi. They usually have the most tiger sightings.
- Listen to the jungle. Deer and monkeys make loud warning calls when a tiger is near.
- Stay quiet and wait. Waiting at the right place works better than rushing.
- Wear dull colours. Green, brown and beige. Not red, white or bright colours.
Safari Rules You Must Follow
- Carry the same original ID that you used for booking.
- Do not get out of the jeep inside the park.
- No plastic, no food inside the park and no loud music.
- Do not use flash on animals. Never feed or call them.
- Stay in your booked zone and shift.
- If you are late, the jeep may not be allowed in.
What to Carry on a Safari
- Your permit (printed and on phone) and original ID
- A warm jacket, cap and gloves in winter (open jeeps are very cold in the morning)
- A cap, sunglasses and sunscreen in summer
- Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens
- A water bottle
- A scarf or mask for the dust
Where to Stay for Your Safari
Most hotels are in Tala village, close to the Tala and Magadhi gates. If your safari is in Khitauli or a buffer zone, pick a hotel that is not too far from that gate.
New to Bandhavgarh? Read our Bandhavgarh National Park guide. Planning the full trip with hotel and safaris? See our Bandhavgarh tour packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I book a Bandhavgarh safari online?
You can book it yourself on the official MP Forest portal, forest.mponline.gov.in. If you don't want to do it yourself, a tour operator can book it for you. We do this at mpforestonline.com: we check seats, book the right zone and send you the permit.
How many days before should I book a Bandhavgarh safari?
Booking opens up to 120 days before. For weekends, holidays and the months of December, April and May, book as early as you can. Tala and Magadhi fill up first.
What is the price of a Bandhavgarh jeep safari?
A full jeep in a core zone costs roughly ₹7,500 to ₹10,000 for Indian visitors, including the permit, jeep and guide. If 6 people share it, that is about ₹1,250 to ₹1,700 each. Fees change, so check the latest price.
Which zone is best for a tiger safari in Bandhavgarh?
Tala and Magadhi are the best-known zones for tigers. Khitauli is also good and has fewer jeeps. If these are full, Panpatha buffer zone is a good choice.
Is the Bandhavgarh safari closed on any day?
Yes. There is no evening safari on Wednesday. The park is also closed on Holi and Diwali. The core zones are closed from July to September.
Can I get a Bandhavgarh safari booking at the gate?
Don't count on it. Almost all seats are sold online, many weeks before. A few tatkal or last-minute seats may open, but they go very fast.
Can I change the date of my Bandhavgarh safari?
No. You cannot change the date or zone. You can only cancel, and the refund depends on how early you cancel.
How many people can sit in a Bandhavgarh safari jeep?
Six visitors can sit in one jeep. The driver and a forest guide also go with you.
