What does a Tadoba safari actually cost in 2026? Real numbers for permits, gypsies, guides, resorts, and full packages — with no hidden fees.
Tadoba safari cost in 2026 ranges from about ₹3,000 per person for a single buffer-zone drive (two people sharing a jeep) to ₹75,000+ per person for a premium 3-night all-inclusive package. This guide breaks down exactly where that money goes so you can plan a realistic budget.
Forest-department fees below are taken from the official Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve booking portal, checked on 12 October 2026. Resort, transfer and naturalist figures are typical 2026 market rates.
The short answer
| Trip type | Per person (2 sharing) | What's included |
|---|
| Single buffer safari | ₹3,000 – 3,500 | 1 safari: entry, guide, gypsy (jeep shared by 2) |
| Single core safari | ₹2,900 – 6,400 | 1 safari: entry, guide, gypsy (jeep shared by 2) |
| 1-night budget package | ₹12,000 – 18,000 | 1 night, 2 safaris, meals, transfers |
| 2-night mid-range package | ₹25,000 – 40,000 | 2 nights, 3 safaris, mid-tier resort |
| 3-night premium package | ₹50,000 – 75,000+ | 3 nights, 5 safaris, luxury lodge |
Breaking down a single safari
A Tadoba safari is made up of four separate costs that people often confuse for one:
1. Official safari fee (government-set)
Entry, the mandatory forest guide and the gypsy are sold together as one booking on the official portal. Per jeep, up to 6 guests:
| Booked | Core, Mon – Fri | Core, Sat – Sun | Buffer, Mon – Fri | Buffer, Sat – Sun |
|---|
| 1–59 days ahead | ₹5,800 | ₹6,800 | ₹6,000 | ₹7,000 |
| 60–120 days ahead | ₹8,800 | ₹12,800 | ₹6,000 | ₹7,000 |
- Core zone: Moharli, Kolara, Khutwanda, Navegaon, Pangdi, Zari. Buffer zone: Agarzari, Junona, Alizanza, Devada-Adegaon.
- Same price for Indian and foreign tourists on regular safaris. Full-day safaris are the exception: ₹50,000 per jeep for Indians, ₹70,000 for foreigners.
- Children under 8 ride free (maximum two per jeep).
A booking buys the whole jeep — not a seat. Two people pay the same as six.
2. Naturalist (optional)
- Forest guide: mandatory and already included in the fee above (₹700 of it).
- Private naturalist: ₹1,500–3,000 per safari (walks you through animal behaviour, tracks, photography)
Hiring a private naturalist alongside the forest guide is optional but dramatically improves the experience for first-timers and photographers.
3. Camera fees
- ₹250 per camera, paid on the spot at the gate.
- Serious photographers can book a full-day photography safari in the core: ₹50,000 (Indian) or ₹70,000 (foreign) per jeep, maximum 4 guests, non-refundable.
Tadoba resort costs — by tier
Accommodation is usually the biggest line item. Prices below are per night, double occupancy, including breakfast:
| Tier | Rate range | Example properties |
|---|
| Budget | ₹2,500 – 5,000 | Forest department rest houses, basic lodges |
| Mid | ₹6,000 – 12,000 | Standard resorts near Moharli / Kolara |
| Premium | ₹13,000 – 25,000 | Svasara Jungle Lodge, Tadoba Tiger Resort |
| Luxury | ₹28,000 – 60,000+ | Waghoba Eco Lodge, Baagh Resort, Aaranyak |
Peak season (March–May) premium is 15–25% higher across all tiers. Book early or shoulder season (Nov–Feb) for better rates.
What a "package" actually includes
When we quote a Tadoba safari package, here's exactly what's in it:
- Accommodation — room, breakfast, often dinner
- Safari fees — entry, guide and gypsy for each safari, typically 2 per day (morning + evening)
- Airport/railway transfers from Nagpur, the gateway for both Tadoba and Pench
- Inter-park transfers if combining Tadoba + Pench
- GST — 5% on tour services
What's usually NOT included
Budget for these separately — they add up:
- Lunches at the resort: ₹500–800 per head per meal
- Beverages, especially bottled water on the drives: ₹100–200 per day
- Camera fees (above)
- Naturalist tips: ₹300–500 per safari is customary for great guides
- Personal spend — memorabilia, books, prints
Plan an extra ₹1,500–2,500 per person per day for these on top of your package.
Sample itineraries with real 2026 numbers
The quick trip: 1 night / 2 safaris
Best for: Travellers in Nagpur for work, weekend trippers.
- Resort (mid-tier): ₹8,000 × 1 night = ₹8,000
- 2 core safaris (entry + guide + gypsy, weekday): 2 × ₹5,800 = ₹11,600
- Transfer from Nagpur: ₹4,500 round trip
- Total for 2 people: ~₹24,000
The classic: 2 nights / 3 safaris
Best for: First-time Tadoba visitors.
- Resort (mid-tier): ₹8,000 × 2 nights = ₹16,000
- 3 safaris (2 core at ₹5,800 + 1 buffer at ₹6,000, weekday): ₹17,600
- Transfer: ₹4,500
- Meals (3 lunches): ₹3,000
- Total for 2 people: ~₹41,000
The enthusiast: 3 nights / 5 safaris + photography
Best for: Wildlife photographers, repeat visitors.
- Premium resort: ₹16,000 × 3 nights = ₹48,000
- 5 core safaris (weekday): 5 × ₹5,800 = ₹29,000
- Private naturalist × 5: ₹10,000
- Transfers + extras: ₹8,000
- Meals + camera fees: ₹6,000
- Total for 2 people: ~₹1,01,000
Safari fees in these examples use the weekday rate for bookings made 1–59 days ahead. Weekend safaris, or bookings made 60–120 days ahead, cost up to ₹12,800 per jeep.
When DIY booking is cheaper — and when it isn't
Booking safaris yourself on the official portal, mytadoba.mahaforest.gov.in, saves the operator fee (usually ₹500–1,500 per safari). But bookings open at midnight IST, popular gates and weekends go quickly, and you'll still need to arrange your resort and transfers separately.
DIY makes sense if: you're flexible on dates, patient with government portals, and travelling off-season.
Book with an operator if: your dates are fixed (festivals, school holidays), you want one confirmed price, or you're combining Tadoba + Pench.
Hidden costs to watch for
- Permit cancellation: bookings made 60–120 days ahead can't be cancelled at all. Bookings made under 60 days ahead can be cancelled more than 15 days before the safari, with 50% deducted. Tatkal is non-refundable. Don't book permits before you've confirmed leave dates.
- "Minimum pax" surcharges at resorts — some charge a single-occupancy premium even if you book a shared jeep safari.
- Festival peak surcharges — Diwali, Christmas week, Holi weekend can see resort rates jump 40–60%.
- Foreign currency surcharge if your card is non-Indian: ~2–3%.
Ready to plan?
We build custom packages at every budget — from our ₹69,000-per-couple 3-night Pench Classic to bespoke photography expeditions. Tell us your dates on the contact page or check our packages for starting quotes.
Pricing on all our packages is transparent: permit, gypsy, guide, resort, transfers, meals — itemised on the invoice. No surprises.
