Ratapani safari gate entrance with safari gypsy

Sanctuary access · Entry gates

Ratapani Safari Gates: Jhiri, Delawadi & Bhimbetka

Jhiri, Delawadi and Bhimbetka: a field guide to Ratapani’s three entry points, comparing distance from Bhopal, online vs offline booking, vehicle quotas, fees and terrain.

3 tourist gates34–52 km from BhopalSmall vehicle quotasUpdated 21 October 2026

Gate dossier

Gates in Ratapani at a glance

Jhiri: closest to Bhopal

34 km from Bhopal railway station; the largest online quota; ₹4,230 per full vehicle.

Delawadi: the quiet west

52 km from Bhopal; lowest vehicle fee (₹3,830 per full vehicle); walk to Ginnorgarh Fort.

Bhimbetka: heritage gate

44 km on NH-46, next to the UNESCO rock shelters; offline booking and private vehicles allowed.

Permits are gate-specific

Each permit is for one gate, date and round. Book the right gate; permits are not transferable.

Gate map

Ratapani Safari Gates Map

Where the three gates sit in relation to Bhopal, NH-46 and the main reservoirs. Tap a gate to see its details.

Schematic map · not to scale

Overview

Three safari gates

Ratapani has three tourist entry gates. Jhiri and Delawadi are booked online or at the gate in registered vehicles; Bhimbetka is booked offline. Select a gate to see its details.

Reserve area: 1,271.5 km²
Gates: Jhiri, Delawadi, Bhimbetka
Rounds per day: Morning & evening

Core Buffer Water Gate

Gate profiles

Jhiri Gate, Delawadi Gate & Bhimbetka Gate

Each gate has its own access road, booking rules and character. Read the profiles before you book.

Jhiri gate Ratapani: safari track through teak and bamboo

Gate 01Raisen district · Online booking

Jhiri Gate (झिरी गेट)

The closest Ratapani gate to Bhopal, near Obaidullaganj just off the Bhopal–Narmadapuram highway (NH-46). Jhiri has the largest online vehicle quota and a long forest track that first opened to tourists in December 2022; the tiger reserve’s inaugural safari was flagged off here in December 2024.

From Bhopal34 km from railway station · 41 km from airport
Nearest townObaidullaganj (Raisen district)
Online quota per round2 full vehicles + 1 single seat (+ DFO & gate quota)
VehiclesRegistered safari vehicles only

Fee · Full vehicle ₹4,230 (₹750 entry + ₹3,000 vehicle + ₹480 guide)

★ Best for quick trips from Bhopal and first-time visitors

Get directions

Delawadi gate Ratapani: teak forest safari trail

Gate 02Sehore district · Online booking

Delawadi Gate (देलावाड़ी गेट)

The western entry in Sehore district, about 52 km from Bhopal railway station. Delawadi leads into teak valleys and sandstone ridges, with fewer vehicles and the lowest vehicle fee. It is also the starting point for the walk up to the ruins of Ginnorgarh Fort and old temples nearby.

From Bhopal52 km from railway station · 64 km from airport
LocationSehore district, western side of the reserve
Online quota per round1 full vehicle (+ DFO & gate quota)
VehiclesRegistered safari vehicles only

Fee · Full vehicle ₹3,830 (₹750 entry + ₹2,600 vehicle + ₹480 guide)

★ Best for quieter drives and Ginnorgarh Fort

Get directions

Bhimbetka rock shelters, UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ratapani

Gate 03Raisen district · Offline booking

Bhimbetka Gate (भीमबेटका गेट)

Beside the UNESCO World Heritage Bhimbetka rock shelters on NH-46. Safaris here are booked only at the gate, and visitors are allowed to use their own private vehicles on the permitted route, making it the easiest way to combine wildlife and prehistoric art in one visit.

From Bhopal44 km from railway station · 55 km from airport
Nearest townObaidullaganj (≈ 9 km)
BookingOffline, at the gate only
VehiclesPrivate vehicles permitted

Fee · Fees paid at the gate (not listed online)

★ Best for families, self-drivers and heritage lovers

Get directions

Side by side

Ratapani Gate Comparison Table

Comparison of Jhiri, Delawadi and Bhimbetka safari gates
Gate	District	From Bhopal (rly stn / airport)	Booking	Online quota / round	Full vehicle cost	Private vehicle	Best for
Jhiri	Raisen	34 km / 41 km	Online + gate	2 vehicles + 1 seat	₹4,230	No	First-timers, short trips
Delawadi	Sehore	52 km / 64 km	Online + gate	1 vehicle	₹3,830	No	Quiet drives, Ginnorgarh
Bhimbetka	Raisen	44 km / 55 km	Gate only	Not online	Paid at gate	Yes	Families, heritage, self-drive

Distances and quotas as listed by the MP Forest Department. Quotas are per round (morning or evening).

Tailored advice

Which Ratapani Gate Should You Choose?

Match the gate to the kind of trip you want.

The first-time visitor

Recommendation

Book Jhiri gate

It is the shortest drive from Bhopal, has the most online slots and sits on the same highway as Bhimbetka.

Do a morning Jhiri safari, then visit the Bhimbetka rock shelters before lunch.

The photographer

Recommendation

Book Delawadi (or both)

Delawadi’s teak valleys and sandstone ridges give clean backgrounds and fewer vehicles around a sighting.

Book a morning and an evening round on different gates to see more of the forest.

Families & self-drivers

Recommendation

Use Bhimbetka gate

Book at the gate, drive your own vehicle and pair the safari with a short walk through the painted shelters.

Arrive early on weekends; offline quotas go on a first-come basis.

Gate rules

Ratapani Safari Gates: FAQs

How many safari gates does Ratapani have?

Ratapani Tiger Reserve has three tourist safari gates: Jhiri, Delawadi and Bhimbetka. Jhiri and Delawadi can be booked online on forest.mponline.gov.in or at the gate; Bhimbetka is booked offline at the gate.

Which Ratapani gate is closest to Bhopal?

Jhiri gate is the closest, about 34 km from Bhopal railway station and 41 km from Raja Bhoj Airport. Bhimbetka gate is about 44 km and Delawadi gate about 52 km from Bhopal railway station.

Which gate is best for a Ratapani safari?

Jhiri suits first-timers and short trips from Bhopal, Delawadi suits travellers who want quieter teak valleys and Ginnorgarh Fort, and Bhimbetka suits families and self-drivers who want to combine a safari with the rock shelters. No gate guarantees a tiger sighting.

Can I drive my own car at Ratapani safari gates?

Only at the Bhimbetka gate, where private vehicles are allowed on the permitted route. At Jhiri and Delawadi only vehicles registered with the sanctuary may enter.

Can I change my safari gate after booking?

Plan as if you cannot. Each permit is issued for a specific gate, date and round, and permits are not transferable, so check your gate carefully before you pay.

Which Ratapani gate is nearest to Bhimbetka?

The Bhimbetka gate is next to the Bhimbetka rock shelters. Jhiri gate is also on the same NH-46 corridor near Obaidullaganj, so a Jhiri safari and a Bhimbetka visit fit easily in one day.

Sources for this Ratapani guide

Safari fees, quotas and timings are set by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and can change. Always confirm on the official booking portal before you travel.

Reserve your entry

Book Your Ratapani Gate Safari

You know your gate. Now follow our step-by-step guide to book the permit on the official MP Forest portal.

Book Ratapani tiger safari About the tiger reserve