Govt raises safari rates at Ranthambore

Jaipur: The forest administration at Ranthambore National Park (RNP) has once again raised the safari prices for bookings made through the current quota. The hike, although nominal, has sparked concern among stakeholders, including travel agents, who believe the frequent price increases are sending a negative message to tourists.
This latest price revision comes just two and a half months after the previous rates were adjusted.Currently, bookings at RNP are divided between two quotas: the advance quota, which covers 75% of available seats, and the current quota, which holds the remaining 25%.
Under the revised rates, Canter (18-seater) bookings for foreign tourists have increased from Rs 2,179 to Rs 2,230 per person, while for Indian tourists, the price has risen from Rs 891 to Rs 910 per person. Similarly, Gypsy bookings for foreign tourists have been adjusted from Rs 2,746 to Rs 2,811 per person, and for Indian tourists, the rates have gone up from Rs 1,458 to Rs 1,491 per person.
A senior forest official said, “The rates have been increased due to new portal charges. As per the contract, there is a 2.5% charge minus GST.”
However, stakeholders said, “The same Single Sign-On (SSO) ID is used to book tickets, and the govt should have provided prior intimation before implementing the changes.” One travel agent said, “Increasing charges every two months hurts the park’s credibility. The system should have been implemented all at once last year. A transparent and stable pricing structure should be kept in place to avoid deterring tourists from visiting one of India's most renowned national parks.”