Every safari in Ranthambore National Park needs a permit issued through the Rajasthan Forest Department’s official system. The permit names each guest, the vehicle type, the date, the shift and the zone. Here is how the process works, whether you book yourself or through a desk like ours.
Step 1: Pick your dates and shift
Safaris run twice a day, a morning and an evening shift, each about two and a half hours. Gate times change through the season, so check the current safari timings first. If you can, plan at least two shifts: tiger sightings are never guaranteed, and a second drive doubles your chances.
Step 2: Choose Gypsy or Canter
A Gypsy is a six-seat open 4×4; a Canter is a twenty-seat open bus. Gypsies are quieter and more popular with photographers, so they sell out first. Read Gypsy or Canter: which safari should you book? if you are not sure.
Step 3: Zone preference
Ranthambore has ten safari zones. Zones 1 to 5 are the core around the fort and lakes; zones 6 to 10 are the buffer. Depending on what the official system allows on your date, a zone may be chosen or allotted. Our guide to the ten safari zones explains what each one is like.
Step 4: Keep ID details ready
Every guest on the permit is listed by name, age, gender and nationality, with a photo ID number. Indian guests usually use an Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID or driving licence; foreign guests use their passport. The same ID must be carried to the gate, so book with the document you will travel with. More in ID proof rules for a Ranthambore safari.
Step 5: Confirm and receive the permit
Once the permit is issued you get the booking details with the zone and shift. The evening before, confirm your pickup time and point. Your vehicle collects you from your hotel and drives you to the gate.
Booking yourself vs booking with a desk
- Yourself: use only the official forest department website, and check every guest’s ID number carefully; mistakes are hard to fix later
- With a local desk: we check availability across shifts, book the permit, arrange the vehicle pickup and stay in touch on WhatsApp on the day
- Beware of look-alike websites; the permit is always issued by the forest department
When to book
For October to March weekends, Indian holidays and Christmas–New Year, book as early as you can; Gypsy seats often go weeks ahead. Weekdays and summer months are easier. If your dates are close, ask about current (Tatkal) booking.
Ready? Send your dates and group size from the booking form or read how booking works with us.