Book the jeep or canter safari online on the Uttarakhand portal.
To go on safari in Jim Corbett you book a permit in advance, because each zone takes only a limited number of vehicles per slot. Book on the official Uttarakhand government site, corbettonline.uk.gov.in. There are several zones, each with a different feel. The Dhikala zone is the most famous and is visited by a shared canter for a day trip, or by staying at the forest rest house inside. Foreigners pay a higher fee than Indians, so declare the nationality correctly.
Who needs to book
- Every visitor entering a safari zone, Indian or foreign, per person and per vehicle.
- Foreigners pay a higher park fee than Indians, so the nationality must be correct.
- You cannot take your own vehicle inside. A registered gypsy or canter and a guide are part of the booking.
The zones, in plain words
- Bijrani: close to Ramnagar, open grassland and good all round sightings.
- Jhirna: open through the year, including the monsoon, when the core zones are shut.
- Dhela: another buffer zone open much of the year.
- Durga Devi: hilly and green, good for birds and elephants.
- Dhikala: the most famous zone, deep inside. A day trip is by a shared canter, or you stay overnight at the Dhikala forest rest house, which is booked separately and fills far ahead.
- Garjia and Sitabani: buffer areas near Ramnagar for a lighter visit.
[The exact open zones change with the season. Confirm on the official site. Last checked 13 September 2026.]
How to book, step by step
- Go to the official site corbettonline.uk.gov.in and open safari booking.
- Choose the zone, the date, and the slot (morning or afternoon), and the safari type (jeep or canter).
- Add each visitor with identity details, and declare the correct nationality.
- Pay online, then download the permit.
- Carry the permit and your original identity to the gate, because the identity is matched there.
What it costs
The cost is made of a few parts: the zone entry fee per person, the gypsy or canter charge, and a guide fee. Foreigners pay a higher entry fee than Indians. The exact government fee lines are shown on the official site at the time of booking. [Exact fees for Indians and foreigners are set by the Corbett Tiger Reserve and are to confirm on the official site. Following the honest rule of this resource, we do not print a fee we cannot see on the official source. Last checked 13 September 2026.]
Documents you need
- One government photo identity per visitor at booking. Indians can use Aadhaar. Foreigners use a passport.
- The same original identity carried to the gate, matching the booking exactly.
- A working mobile number for the booking.
Season and booking window
- The core zones, such as Dhikala and Bijrani, usually open from about the middle of October and close in the monsoon, around the middle of June.
- The buffer zones, such as Jhirna and Dhela, stay open through the year, including the monsoon.
- Booking opens a set number of days in advance, and the Dhikala day canter and the Dhikala rest house fill first, so plan early. [Exact dates and the advance window change season to season. Confirm on the official site. Last checked 13 September 2026.]
Common mistakes to avoid
- Booking on a look alike site. Only corbettonline.uk.gov.in is the official government portal. Many private sites look official.
- Booking in the wrong name, then failing the identity check at the gate.
- Declaring the wrong nationality, then being charged again or stopped.
- Planning a core zone visit in the monsoon, when it is closed. Use Jhirna or Dhela instead.
- Leaving the Dhikala rest house or day canter to the last minute, when it is full.
Questions people ask
Do I need to book a Corbett safari in advance?
Yes. Book the zone permit in advance on the official Uttarakhand site.
Which is the best zone?
Dhikala is the most famous and deepest. Bijrani and Durga Devi are also excellent. Jhirna and Dhela stay open in the monsoon.
Do foreigners pay more?
Yes, foreigners pay a higher entry fee than Indians.
How do I visit Dhikala?
By a shared canter for a day trip, or by staying overnight at the Dhikala forest rest house, both booked on the official site.
Where do I book?
On the official government site, corbettonline.uk.gov.in.