Planning a Rajaji National Park safari and want to know exactly what it costs before you call to book? This guide breaks down every fee — entry tickets, jeep hire, guide charges, and optional add-ons — so there are no surprises at the gate.
Rajaji National Park Safari Cost at a Glance
For the 2026–27 season (November 15 to June 15), a Rajaji National Park safari has three cost components: your entry ticket, the jeep (gypsy) hire, and a mandatory naturalist guide fee. Most first-time visitors underestimate the guide and jeep charges because tourism sites often advertise only the entry ticket price.
| Cost Component | Price |
|---|---|
| Indian adult entry | ₹150 |
| Indian child (5–12 yrs) entry | ₹75 |
| Child below 5 years | Free |
| Foreign national entry | ₹600 |
| Foreign child entry | ₹300 |
| Private jeep (up to 6 people) | ₹3,000 |
| Mandatory naturalist/guide fee | ₹1,000 |
| Shared jeep safari (per person) | ₹950 |
| Video camera permit | ₹1,500 |
| Binoculars (optional rental) | ₹800 |
How Much Does a Private Jeep Safari Cost?
A private jeep safari in Rajaji National Park is priced per vehicle, not per person, which makes it economical for groups and families. Here’s how the math works for a full jeep of six Indian adults:
- Jeep hire: ₹3,000
- Mandatory naturalist guide: ₹1,000
- Entry fees (₹150 × 6 people): ₹900
- Total: ₹4,900, or roughly ₹817 per person
If your group is smaller — say two or three people — the jeep and guide fee stay fixed at ₹4,000 combined, so the per-person cost rises. A couple splitting a private jeep pays about ₹150 entry each plus ₹2,000 each toward the jeep and guide, working out to roughly ₹2,150 per person. This is exactly why solo travelers and couples usually choose a shared jeep instead.
Shared Jeep Safari Cost
A shared jeep safari costs ₹950 per person, plus your individual entry fee. This is the most budget-friendly way to do a Rajaji safari if you’re traveling solo or as a couple and don’t need the vehicle exclusively to yourself. The trade-off is that you share the gypsy with other tourists, and departure times are fixed by the operator rather than flexible to your schedule.
For a couple: ₹950 × 2 + ₹150 × 2 entry = ₹2,200 total, versus roughly ₹4,300 for a private jeep for two. The shared option saves nearly half.
Zone-Wise Cost Differences
Core safari charges (jeep, guide, entry) are the same across all six zones — Chilla, Motichur, Ranipur, Mohand, Jhilmil, and Gohri — since these are fixed by the Uttarakhand Forest Department. What changes zone to zone is package pricing offered by operators, because some zones (like Chilla) are in higher demand and may bundle a “Tiger Special” rate, while less-visited zones like Jhilmil or Gohri sometimes have lower-demand seasonal offers.
| Package | Best For | Indicative Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Jeep Safari | Solo travelers & couples | ₹950/person + entry |
| Private Jeep Safari | Families & groups up to 6 | ₹3,000 + ₹1,000 guide + entry |
| Tiger Special – Chilla | Tiger & elephant seekers | From ₹4,150/jeep |
| Birdwatching – Mohand | Birders & photographers | From ₹4,150/jeep |
| Full-Day Wildlife Package | Two zones, morning + evening | On request |
Rajaji Safari Cost vs Jim Corbett Safari Cost
Rajaji National Park is generally cheaper than Corbett for a comparable jeep safari experience. Corbett’s core zones (like Dhikala or Jhirna) often carry higher permit fees and are booked months in advance through a more competitive online portal, while Rajaji’s ₹150 entry and ₹3,000 jeep rate remain accessible with far less advance planning required in most months outside peak December–January dates.
Are There Hidden Charges?
The most common surprise for first-time visitors is booking an online permit only through the government portal and assuming that covers everything — it doesn’t. The permit fee is separate from the jeep rental and naturalist fee, both of which are arranged at the gate. Visitors who book through a local operator avoid this confusion because the jeep, guide, and permit are bundled into one quoted price upfront.
Other charges to budget for:
- GST: Applied on operator service charges, not on the government entry ticket itself.
- Video camera permit (₹1,500): Only required if you’re carrying a professional video camera; mobile phone photography is included in your entry ticket.
- Group discounts: Government fees don’t offer bulk discounts, but operators sometimes reduce guide/service charges for larger multi-jeep bookings.
Sample Cost Scenarios
Solo traveler, shared jeep: ₹950 + ₹150 entry = ₹1,100
Couple, private jeep: ₹3,000 + ₹1,000 guide + ₹300 entry (2 people) = ₹4,300, split as ₹2,150 each
Family of 4, private jeep: ₹3,000 + ₹1,000 guide + ₹600 entry = ₹4,600, or ₹1,150 per person
Full jeep of 6, private: ₹3,000 + ₹1,000 + ₹900 = ₹4,900, or ₹817 per person
Foreign visitor, private jeep with 3 foreign nationals: ₹3,000 + ₹1,000 + ₹1,800 (₹600 × 3) = ₹5,800, or roughly ₹1,933 per person
How to Pay for a Rajaji Safari
You can pay online through the forest department portal for the permit component, or pay the full bundled amount (permit + jeep + guide) to a local operator via UPI, card, or cash at the time of booking or on arrival. Operator bookings are generally easier because they don’t require you to coordinate two separate payments.
Conclusion
The real cost of a Rajaji National Park safari is almost always higher than the ₹150 entry ticket that gets advertised — once you add the mandatory jeep and naturalist fee, expect to pay somewhere between ₹800 and ₹2,000 per person depending on your group size and whether you choose shared or private. Booking through an operator who bundles all three charges into one quote is the simplest way to know your final cost before you arrive at the gate, and it avoids the common mistake of booking an online permit and then being surprised by jeep charges on-site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost of a Rajaji National Park safari?
For a full private jeep of six Indian adults, the total cost is about ₹4,900, or roughly ₹817 per person, including entry, jeep hire, and the mandatory naturalist guide. A shared jeep costs ₹950 per person plus entry.
Is the guide fee included in the jeep safari price?
No, in most cases it’s charged separately. The mandatory naturalist/guide fee is ₹1,000 per jeep, added on top of the ₹3,000 private jeep rental. Operators who bundle pricing will quote this as one combined figure.
Do children pay full price for Rajaji safari?
No. Indian children aged 5–12 pay ₹75 entry, and children below 5 enter free. The jeep and guide fee remain the same regardless of the number of children in the group.
Is Rajaji safari cheaper than Corbett safari?
Generally yes. Rajaji’s entry fee and jeep charges are comparable to or lower than Corbett’s core zone rates, and availability is typically easier to secure outside peak season, which reduces the need for premium last-minute pricing.
Do foreign tourists pay more for Rajaji safari?
Yes. Foreign nationals pay ₹600 entry (versus ₹150 for Indians) and ₹300 for foreign children. Jeep and guide charges are the same regardless of nationality.
Is there a discount for booking a full jeep versus a shared jeep?
Per-person cost drops significantly with a full private jeep of six versus paying individually for a shared jeep, since the ₹3,000 + ₹1,000 fixed cost is divided among more people. For groups of 4–6, a private jeep is usually cheaper per person than shared seats.
About the Author
Veeru Negi is a local safari guide with over 15 years of experience navigating the forests, wildlife trails, and zones of Rajaji National Park. Having grown up near the park’s boundary, Veeru has an intimate knowledge of animal movement patterns, seasonal behavior, and the best times to spot tigers, elephants, and leopards across zones like Chilla, Motichur, and Kansro. He has guided hundreds of wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and families through safe, memorable safari experiences, and regularly shares his on-ground expertise to help visitors plan smarter trips to Rajaji. Learn more about Veeru →