Safari Cost at a Glance
A jungle safari at UPKWS costs ₹5,500 per gypsy on weekdays (Monday–Friday) and ₹6,000 per gypsy on weekends (Saturday–Sunday).
The fee is charged per vehicle, not per person. One open gypsy seats up to 6 guests, so a full group pays roughly ₹917 per person on a weekday and ₹1,000 per person on a weekend.
Safari slots run 5:30 AM – 9:00 AM (morning) and 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM (evening). Rates are the same at all three gates.
Safaris run year-round. Closure days differ by gate: Karhandla and Gothangaon close on Mondays, Pauni closes on Tuesdays.
Pricing
UPKWS Safari Fee Breakdown
The rate you pay is a bundle of four separate components — the forest department safari permit, the open gypsy hire, the mandatory naturalist guide, and booking and service charges including taxes. We publish the full split so you know exactly where every rupee goes.
Monday – Friday
- Safari Charges₹1,500
- Gypsy Charges₹2,500
- Guide Charges₹500
- Booking / Service + Taxes₹1,000
Saturday – Sunday
- Safari Charges₹2,000
- Gypsy Charges₹2,500
- Guide Charges₹500
- Booking / Service + Taxes₹1,000
Why weekends cost more: the forest department safari permit charge rises from ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 on Saturdays and Sundays. Gypsy, guide and service charges stay identical — so the entire ₹500 difference is the permit component.
Cost Per Person by Group Size
Because the fee covers the whole vehicle, your per-person cost drops sharply as your group grows. A group of six pays less than half the per-head cost of a couple travelling alone.
| Guests in Gypsy | Weekday (Mon–Fri) | Weekend (Sat–Sun) | Per Person (Weekday) | Per Person (Weekend) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 guests | ₹5,500 | ₹6,000 | ₹2,750 | ₹3,000 |
| 3 guests | ₹5,500 | ₹6,000 | ₹1,834 | ₹2,000 |
| 4 guests | ₹5,500 | ₹6,000 | ₹1,375 | ₹1,500 |
| 5 guests | ₹5,500 | ₹6,000 | ₹1,100 | ₹1,200 |
| 6 guests | ₹5,500 | ₹6,000 | ₹917 | ₹1,000 |
What the Fee Includes
Included in Your Booking
- Forest department safari entry permit
- Open 4WD gypsy for the full slot
- Experienced safari driver
- Trained forest department naturalist guide
- All applicable taxes and service charges
- Booking confirmation and permit paperwork
Not Included — Pay Separately
- Camera / DSLR charges (payable at the gate)
- Travel to and from the safari gate
- Meals, refreshments and drinking water
- Accommodation and resort stays
- Guide and driver tips (entirely optional)
- Personal expenses and shopping
Schedule
UPKWS Safari Timings
UPKWS runs two safari slots a day, and both are identical across the Karhandla, Gothangaon and Pauni gates. Slot timings are fixed year-round — they do not shift with sunrise or sunset.
| Slot | Safari Timing | Report at Gate By | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Safari | 5:30 AM – 9:00 AM | 5:00 AM | Peak wildlife activity, tiger movement, birdsong, cool comfortable air |
| Evening Safari | 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM | 3:00 PM | Golden-hour photography, predators emerging to drink, Gaur herds grazing |
Reporting time matters. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your slot. Every guest's original photo ID is verified against the safari permit at the gate, and gypsies leave on schedule — late arrivals cannot be accommodated and the slot is not refundable.
Operating Days and Seasons
| Period | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| All year | Open | Safaris run in every month, with both morning and evening slots at each gate on its open days |
| Oct – Feb | Open | Cool, comfortable weather and peak migratory birdlife. Busiest stretch of the year. |
| Mar – Jun | Open | Hot and dry. Shrinking waterholes concentrate wildlife — the highest tiger sighting rates. |
| Jul – Sep | Open | Monsoon. Greenest forest, full rivers and the quietest tracks — see our monsoon safari guide. |
| Every Monday | Partly closed | Karhandla and Gothangaon Gates closed — Pauni Gate is open |
| Every Tuesday | Partly closed | Pauni Gate closed — Karhandla and Gothangaon Gates are open |
Gate Comparison
Fee & Timings by Safari Gate
The safari fee is identical at all three gates. What changes is your drive from Nagpur and the wildlife each zone is known for — so choose your gate on distance and interest, not on price.
| Gate | Weekday Fee | Weekend Fee | From Nagpur | Closed On | Famous For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karhandla Gate | ₹5,500 | ₹6,000 | ~50 km | Mondays | Tiger sightings, dense teak forest |
| Gothangaon Gate | ₹5,500 | ₹6,000 | ~55 km | Mondays | Gaur herds, wild dogs, birdlife |
| Pauni Gate | ₹5,500 | ₹6,000 | ~60 km | Tuesdays | Wainganga river scenery, 300+ birds |
Camera and Additional Charges
Camera and DSLR charges at UPKWS are levied directly by the Maharashtra Forest Department and are revised from time to time, which is why they sit outside your booking amount. They are collected in cash at the gate counter when your permit is verified. Photography using a mobile phone attracts no charge at all.
If you are carrying professional equipment — a DSLR or mirrorless body with a telephoto lens, or a video camera — declare it at the gate before entry. Drones are strictly prohibited inside the sanctuary without written permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden.
How to Book and Pay
Safari permits at UPKWS are capped per slot per gate, and the popular Karhandla morning slot fills fastest — particularly between March and May and on weekends. We recommend booking at least a week ahead in peak season.
Booking through this site takes four steps: enter your details, choose your gate and group size, pick your date and slot, then review and confirm. Our team then processes the forest department permit against the IDs you provide and sends your confirmation. We accept cash, UPI and online payment.
Fill the Gypsy
Six guests pay the same as two. Travelling as a full group cuts the per-person cost to about ₹917 on a weekday.
Pick a Weekday
Weekdays save ₹500 per gypsy and the forest is noticeably quieter, which improves sighting odds.
Carry Original IDs
Every guest needs the original government photo ID used at booking. Photocopies and digital images are not accepted at the gate.
Keep Cash for the Gate
Camera charges are cash-only at the counter. Card and UPI facilities at the gate are unreliable.
Check Your Gate's Closed Day
Karhandla and Gothangaon close on Mondays; Pauni closes on Tuesdays. There is no day when all three are shut.
Book Ahead in Summer
March to May has the highest tiger sighting rates and the fastest-selling permits. A week's notice is the minimum.