What a tiger safari in India costs
No brochure gloss, no hidden extras. What a tiger safari in India really costs — including the parts most operators leave off the headline number.
2027 rate card
What each experience costs
| Experience | Safari with Lala | Safari with our naturalists |
|---|---|---|
| A Tryst With Tigers — full-day permits | USD 10,410 | USD 9,060 |
| A Tryst With Tigers — regular permits | USD 5,950 | USD 5,030 |
| South India | Enquire now | Enquire now |
| Bandhavgarh — park stay | — | Enquire now |
| Kanha — park stay | — | Enquire now |
| Ranthambore — park stay | — | Enquire now |
| Tadoba — park stay | — | Enquire now |
| Kabini — park stay | — | Enquire now |
| Bandipur — park stay | — | Enquire now |
| Tiger Thali Tour — full-day permits | Enquire now | Enquire now |
| Tiger Thali Tour — regular permits | Enquire now | Enquire now |
Per person, including GST. The experiences are priced on a group of seven; Kabini and Bandipur on a group of eight. South India is itinerary-built — ask us for the detail.
Where the money goes
Four things you are actually paying for
A safari price looks opaque because it bundles four unrelated markets: park permits, a vehicle with a driver and a forest-department guide, a bed, and the person hosting you. They move independently, which is why two operators quoting the same park can differ by a factor of three.
Permits are the least negotiable. India's tiger reserves release a fixed number of core-zone vehicle permits per slot, and a full-day permit, which is what our full-day experiences use, costs considerably more than a regular (morning or afternoon) permit because it occupies a vehicle's place for the whole day.
Lodging is where most of the spread lives. The same park has beds at every level, and the difference between a mid-range lodge and a premium one is far larger than the difference in the safari itself.
Itemised
What a per-person price includes
| Item | Included | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Safari permits | Yes | Core zone, full-day or regular as the itinerary states |
| Vehicle, driver, forest guide | Yes | Shared within your group only |
| Lodging | Yes | Tier confirmed per itinerary |
| All meals in the parks | Yes | While you're in the parks |
| Internal transfers | Yes | Airport to lodge and between parks |
| Domestic flights | On itineraries | Included on A Tryst With Tigers and the Tiger Thali Tour; on request for park stays and bespoke trips |
| International flights | No | Booked by you |
| Visa | No | We help with the paperwork |
| Camera hire | No | Bring your own; see the gear page |
| Tips | No | Guidance given before you travel |
The questions people email
About the money
Why is a full-day permit more expensive?
It occupies a core-zone vehicle slot for the entire day rather than a three-hour window, and the reserves price it accordingly. What you get for it is the middle of the day, when almost every other vehicle has left the park.
Do you publish prices?
Yes. The 2027 rates for every priced India experience are on this page, per person, priced on a group of seven (eight for Kabini and Bandipur). Dollar prices include GST. Ask us about smaller groups.
What currency do you quote in?
International guests pay in US dollars and Indian guests in rupees. Dollar prices include GST; rupee prices have GST added at checkout. Card payments carry a 4% service fee.
When do I have to pay?
A 50% deposit confirms your trip and is not refundable. The balance is due 90 days before your first day; if you book within 90 days of it, the full price is due when you book. See the cancellation policy for what happens if plans change.
Something not on the rate card?
A smaller group, other parks or different dates: describe the trip and we will price it.