Jim Corbett is India’s oldest national park. It was set up in 1936 as Hailey National Park, and today the Corbett Tiger Reserve is home to roughly 260 tigers. That makes it one of the best places on the planet to see a wild tiger. It also means safari permits disappear fast, especially for the famous Dhikala zone, which reopens on 15 November 2026.
This guide covers everything you need for a smooth Jim Corbett safari booking: the official website, 2026 prices for Indian and foreign visitors, which zone to pick, how to get there from Delhi, and the new rules that catch first-timers out.
Jim Corbett Safari at a Glance
| Detail | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Gateway town | Ramnagar, Nainital district, Uttarakhand (about 260 km from Delhi) |
| Official booking site | corbettgov.org (Corbett Tiger Reserve) |
| Booking window | 45 days ahead for Indian nationals, 90 days ahead for foreign nationals |
| Jeep safari cost (Indians) | About ₹6,980 to ₹7,280 per jeep, up to 6 people |
| Jeep safari cost (foreigners) | About ₹10,280 to ₹10,580 per jeep |
| Safari timings | Morning around 6:00 AM to 9:30 AM, afternoon around 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM |
| Best months for tigers | March to May |
How to Book a Jim Corbett Safari Online
All safari and forest rest house permits are issued by the Corbett Tiger Reserve through its official portal at corbettgov.org. Plenty of websites look official and sell “Corbett permits,” but they are resellers adding a margin, and some are outright scams. Book direct whenever you can.
Step-by-step booking process
- Pick your date and zone. Each permit is tied to one zone, one date and one shift (morning or afternoon).
- Choose the permit type. Day visit (jeep), canter (Dhikala only) or night stay at a forest rest house.
- Enter ID details for every passenger. Indians can use Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID or passport. Foreign visitors must use their passport.
- Pay online by card or net banking and download the permit.
- Carry the same ID you entered at booking. The names are checked at the gate.
When to book
Day-visit and rest house bookings open 45 days in advance for Indian nationals and 90 days in advance for foreign nationals. Dhikala, Bijrani and weekend slots from December to February often sell out within minutes of the window opening, so log in early on the first eligible day.
Permits are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled, so lock in your travel dates before you pay. For booking problems, the reserve’s helpdesk is reachable at 1800 309 6260 or +91 9759363344.
Jim Corbett Safari Prices for 2026
A jeep safari price has three parts: the entry permit, the guide fee and the gypsy (jeep) hire. Here is how it adds up.
Jeep safari (day visit)
| Fee | Indian Nationals | Foreign Nationals |
|---|---|---|
| Entry permit (per jeep, up to 6) | ₹3,380 | ₹6,680 |
| Nature guide | ₹900 | ₹900 |
| Gypsy hire (Bijrani, Garjia) | ₹2,700 | ₹2,700 |
| Gypsy hire (Jhirna, Dhela, Durga Devi) | ₹3,000 | ₹3,000 |
| Total per jeep | ₹6,980 to ₹7,280 | ₹10,280 to ₹10,580 |
Split six ways, that works out to roughly ₹1,200 to ₹1,400 per person for Indian travelers. Solo visitors can often share a jeep through their hotel in Ramnagar.
Canter safari (Dhikala zone only)
| Fee | Indian Nationals | Foreign Nationals |
|---|---|---|
| Canter seat (16-seater bus) | ₹1,500 + 18% GST (about ₹1,770) | ₹3,000 + 18% GST (about ₹3,540) |
Forest rest house night stay
| Fee | Indian Nationals | Foreign Nationals |
|---|---|---|
| Room (per room, 2 people) | ₹3,500 to ₹5,050 | ₹10,450 |
| Meals (per person, per meal) | ₹350 to ₹400 | ₹350 to ₹400 |
Nature guide rates were revised in April 2026, so the guide line on your receipt may differ slightly. Always confirm the final figure on the booking page before you pay.
Jeep Safari vs Canter Safari: Which Should You Book?
- Jeep safari: Open 4×4 gypsy for up to six people with a driver and a nature guide. You get more flexibility, quieter sightings and better photo angles. Available in every zone.
- Canter safari: A shared 16-seat bus that runs only in Dhikala. It costs less per head and is the only way to see Dhikala on a day trip. The longer shifts (roughly 6:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM to 5:30 PM) cover more ground, but a bus full of people is noisier.
One rule surprises many visitors: you cannot take a jeep into Dhikala on a day visit. A jeep safari there needs a night stay at the Dhikala forest rest house. If you can’t get a room, the canter is your ticket in.
Corbett Safari Zones and 2026 to 2027 Opening Dates
| Zone | Entry Gate | Open Season | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dhikala | Dhangarhi | 15 Nov 2026 to 15 Jun 2027 | Tigers, elephants, grassland views |
| Bijrani | Amdanda | 15 Oct 2026 to 30 Jun 2027 | Tigers, close to Ramnagar |
| Garjia | Amdanda | 15 Oct 2026 to 30 Jun 2027 | Elephants, deer, easier availability |
| Durga Devi | Durga Devi | 15 Nov 2026 to 15 Jun 2027 | Birding, mahseer fish |
| Sonanadi | Vatanvasa | 15 Nov 2026 to 15 Jun 2027 | Remote, uncrowded forest |
| Jhirna | Jhirna | Year-round (weather permitting) | Sloth bears, monsoon safaris |
| Dhela | Dhela | Year-round (weather permitting) | Backup when core zones sell out |
Our pick: If tigers are the goal, try for Dhikala (with a night stay) or Bijrani. If both are sold out, Garjia, Jhirna and Dhela usually have permits left and still deliver good wildlife.
Best Time to Visit Jim Corbett
- November to February: Cool, misty and beautiful. The grass is tall, so tigers are harder to spot, but the scenery is at its best. Mornings are cold in an open jeep, so pack warm layers.
- March to June: The best tiger season. Water sources shrink and animals gather near them. Afternoons can cross 40°C by May.
- July to mid-October: Monsoon. Most core zones close. Only Jhirna and Dhela run day safaris when the roads allow.
How to Reach Jim Corbett from Delhi
Ramnagar is the base for nearly every safari. It sits about 260 km from Delhi.
- By road: Around 5 to 6 hours via Hapur, Moradabad and Kashipur. If you have a 6:00 AM safari, drive up the evening before.
- By train: The Ranikhet Express (15013) leaves Delhi in the evening and reaches Ramnagar early the next morning. Check current timings on IRCTC.
- By bus: Uttarakhand Transport (UTC) buses run from Anand Vihar ISBT in about 6 to 8 hours.
- By air: Pantnagar is the nearest airport, roughly 80 km from Ramnagar. International visitors usually fly into Delhi (DEL) and go on by road or rail.
Tips for International Visitors
- Your booking window opens 90 days before the safari date, so you can lock permits in well before flights.
- Book with your passport details and carry the same passport on safari day.
- You will need an Indian visa. Many nationalities, including US citizens, can apply for an e-Visa online before travel.
- Foreign-national prices are higher, so budget around ₹10,300 to ₹10,600 per jeep for a day safari.
- Peak season (December to February, and Indian holiday weekends) fills hotels near the park. Book rooms early too.
Rules You Must Know Before Your Safari
- No mobile phones. Following a Supreme Court order, Corbett banned phones during safaris in all tourism zones from February 2026. Day visitors deposit phones at gate lockers. Night-stay guests keep them in a storage box in the jeep. Regular cameras and binoculars are still fine.
- No private vehicles inside the park. You must hire a registered gypsy with a driver and guide.
- Vehicle age limit. Since March 2026, safari gypsies older than 15 years are not allowed. If your hotel arranges the jeep, ask them to confirm it complies.
- Stay in your zone. A permit is valid only for the zone and shift printed on it.
- No walking, smoking, alcohol or plastic inside the reserve.
- Wear earthy colors like khaki, olive and brown. Skip white and bright shades.
- Keep quiet during sightings. Noise scares animals off and annoys other vehicles.
What to Pack for a Corbett Safari
- Camera with a zoom lens (200mm or longer) and spare batteries
- Binoculars
- Warm jacket, cap and gloves for winter mornings
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for summer
- Reusable water bottle
- Insect repellent and a small first-aid kit
- Power bank, since many forest rest houses have limited or no electricity
- Printed permit and original photo ID
Sample Budget: 2 Days in Corbett for Two
| Item | Approximate Cost (Indian Travelers) |
|---|---|
| Train or bus from Delhi (return, 2 people) | ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 |
| 2 jeep safaris (full jeep, private) | ₹14,000 to ₹14,600 |
| Hotel in Ramnagar (1 to 2 nights, mid-range) | ₹3,000 to ₹10,000 |
| Food and local transport | ₹2,000 to ₹4,000 |
| Total | About ₹20,000 to ₹31,000 |
Sharing a jeep with other travelers cuts the safari cost sharply. If you’re comparing getaways from the capital, our Goa trip cost from Delhi guide breaks down a beach holiday budget the same way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official website for Jim Corbett safari booking?
Permits are issued by the Corbett Tiger Reserve through corbettgov.org. Other sites selling permits are resellers or agents, and some are scams.
How much does a Jim Corbett jeep safari cost in 2026?
For Indian nationals, a jeep safari costs about ₹6,980 to ₹7,280 per jeep for up to six people. Foreign nationals pay about ₹10,280 to ₹10,580 per jeep.
How far in advance should I book a Corbett safari?
Booking opens 45 days ahead for Indians and 90 days ahead for foreigners. Book on the first day the window opens for Dhikala, Bijrani and winter weekends.
Can I do a day jeep safari in Dhikala?
No. A jeep safari in Dhikala requires a night stay at the forest rest house. Day visitors can see Dhikala only by canter.
Are mobile phones allowed on Jim Corbett safaris?
No. Since February 2026, phones are banned during safaris in all tourism zones. You deposit them at the gate, though regular cameras and binoculars are allowed.
Which Corbett zones are open during the monsoon?
Jhirna and Dhela stay open through the year for day safaris, subject to weather and road conditions. The other zones close for the monsoon.