How to book a Corbett jeep safari
Open the official site
Go to corbettonline.uk.gov.in and choose Day Visit (Jeep Safari).
Pick zone, date and slot
Choose the zone, the date and a morning or afternoon shift. Popular zones and weekends sell out soon after the window opens.
Add visitor details
Enter the name, age, gender and ID number of everyone in the jeep (up to six). Use IDs you will carry on the day.
Pay and download the permit
Pay online and download the permit. Keep a printout or a copy on your phone.
Arrange the jeep and guide
The permit is for entry; you also need a registered safari jeep and a park guide, usually arranged in Ramnagar through your hotel or a registered jeep operator.
Corbett safari zones and when they open
Dhikala
The largest grasslands and the Ramganga reservoir. Day jeep visits are not allowed; you see it on the canter safari or by staying at the forest lodge.
Bijrani
Mixed sal forest and grassland close to town, and the most popular day-safari zone.
Jhirna
Open through the year, weather permitting. Good for elephants, deer and birds.
Dhela
A newer zone next to Jhirna, also open most of the year.
Garjiya
Along the Kosi river near Garjiya Devi temple, a short drive from Dhikuli.
Durga Devi
Hilly forest along the Ramganga and Mandal rivers, best known for birds and mahseer.
Timings, fees and rules
- Safaris run in two shifts: roughly 6:00-9:30 am and 2:00-5:30 pm; times shift a little with the season.
- One jeep takes up to six adults (plus the driver and guide).
- You pay the permit fee online; the jeep and the guide are paid separately in Ramnagar. Fees differ for Indians and foreigners and by zone, and are revised from time to time, so check the current rates on the official site.
- Carry the original ID you booked with; it is checked at the gate.
- No plastic, music or getting out of the jeep except at marked points. Drivers are not allowed to chase animals.
- Most core zones close in the monsoon (about July to mid-October); Jhirna and Dhela usually stay open.
Dhikala: canter safari and forest lodge
- Dhikala opens on 15 November and closes on 15 June.
- Day jeep visits are not allowed. You can see Dhikala on a shared canter (bus-like open vehicle) safari or by staying overnight at the Dhikala forest lodge.
- Lodge rooms and canter seats are booked on the same official site and sell out fast for weekends and holidays.
- Lodges are simple; electricity and mobile signal are limited. Carry warm clothes in winter.
Best time for tiger sightings
- Sightings are never guaranteed, but chances rise from March to June, when grass is cut back and animals come to water.
- Winter mornings (December-February) are foggy and very cold, but the light is soft and the forest is beautiful.
- Book two or three safaris across different zones and shifts for the best odds.
- See Best time to visit Corbett for month-by-month details.
Corbett Safari Booking: FAQs
How do I book a Jim Corbett safari online?
Online on the official Corbett Tiger Reserve website, corbettonline.uk.gov.in. Choose the zone, date and shift, add the ID details of everyone in the jeep, and pay online.
How early should I book a Corbett safari?
Bookings usually open about 30 to 45 days before the safari date. Dhikala and weekend slots sell out first.
Which is the best zone for a Corbett safari?
Dhikala for big grasslands and tigers, but only by canter or with a lodge stay. Bijrani is the best day jeep zone near Ramnagar, and Jhirna and Dhela are open all year.
When do Corbett safari zones open?
Dhikala and Durga Devi open on 15 November, Bijrani on 15 October, and Jhirna and Dhela are open almost all year.
How many people are allowed in one Corbett jeep?
Up to six adults in one jeep, plus the driver and the park guide.
How much does a Corbett jeep safari cost?
Fees differ by zone, season and nationality and change from time to time. You pay the permit online and the jeep and guide separately. Check the current rates on the official site before you go.
