Jim Corbett National Park, recognized as India’s oldest tiger reserve, attracts wildlife lovers from across the globe. Visitors flock here to witness the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger, one of the forest’s most formidable predators. As a protected natural sanctuary for numerous wild species, all tourism activities are carefully regulated and supervised by the Uttarakhand state Forest Department to ensure conservation and safety.
To enter the reserve park, it is mandatory to obtain an official entry permit from the authorized authorities. Without this permit, visitors are strictly prohibited from entering the park under any circumstances. The Corbett National Park Forest Department offers two main types of tourism services for guests: one is the day safari, and the other is overnight accommodation at the Forest Rest Houses (FRH). The Day Safari Permit can be conveniently obtained at the entry gate of the respective park zone, whereas the permit for staying overnight at the various forest rest houses within the park is issued at the reception office of Corbett National Park located in Ramnagar city. Additionally, both the day safari permits and FRH accommodations can be booked online in advance for added convenience. Once issued, the permits are strictly non-transferable and non-refundable under any conditions.
A visit to Jim Corbett National Park is truly a memorable experience. The park is generally open from the middle of November to the middle of June. However, the Jhirna zone within the park remains accessible throughout the entire year. The popular Bijrani zone receives visitors from mid-October to mid-June, while the Dhikala zone allows entry from mid-November to mid-June. During the monsoon season, the roads in both the Dhikala and Bijrani zones are completely washed away and become inaccessible. Additionally, after sunset, the park gates are closed, and no outings or drives are permitted beyond that time.
Corbett Tiger Reserve is organized into eight distinct ecotourism zones, and each zone features its designated entry gate. Below is the list of all eight ecotourism zones along with their corresponding entry gates:
| Safari Zones | Safari Entry Gate |
|---|---|
| Dhikala | Dhangarhi |
| Bijrani | Amdanda |
| Jhirna | Dhela |
| Durgadevi | Durgadevi |
| Dhela | Dhela |
| Sonanadi | Vatanvasa |
| Garjiya | Garjiya |
| Pakhro | Pakhro |
Each zone of the park showcases its own unique charm and landscape, which must be explored to truly experience the essence of this national park. Additionally, every zone has its own special attractions, owing to the diverse flora and fauna that are unique to that area. Tourism activities within each zone are managed by the respective forest authority. Entry permits for any zone must be acquired from the office of the concerned zone authority at the designated entry gate.
Except for the Dhikala zone, all other zones provide permits for day visits inside the park for the designated time slot. Permits are issued exclusively for jeep safaris, and each jeep can accommodate a maximum of six adults and two children (up to 11 years old). Visitors can enter the reserve forest only in a jeep authorized by the forest department, and walking or using private vehicles is strictly prohibited. To preserve the ecological balance and ensure a peaceful environment for wildlife, the number of jeeps entering the park at a time is strictly limited. Day safaris operate in two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, following the prescribed schedule. Entry and exit timings may differ across zones and change with seasons.
Due to the high demand for wildlife tours in Corbett, it is strongly recommended to book permits in advance for day visits. Permits are allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis at the reception office of the Corbett Tiger Reserve, and online booking is also available. A registered guide is mandatory for each jeep safari and can be hired at the entry gate. In short, to enter the park, visitors must obtain an entry permit, hire an authorized jeep, and engage a registered guide. All three requirements are essential to gain entry into the reserve forest.
The jeep safari is a popular way to explore wildlife in its natural habitat across Corbett Tiger Reserve during a day visit. Every eco-tourism zone offers jeep safaris except the Dhikala zone. In Dhikala, jeep safaris are restricted to tourists with prior reservations at the Dhikala Forest Rest House. For day visitors without accommodations, the Canter safari is the only available option to explore the zone.
Canter safari involves a 16-seater bus operated exclusively by the forest department in Dhikala. Tourists are advised to book their seats in advance to ensure availability during their visit to the Corbett Tiger Reserve.
Experiencing the forest on an elephant ride can be thrilling, especially for children. Elephant safaris are offered only in Dhikala and Bijrani zones. In Dhikala, rides are limited to guests staying at the Forest Rest House, while in Bijrani, day visitors can enjoy elephant rides by paying at the camp. The number of elephants available is very limited and operates on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Each elephant can carry up to four persons, with children up to five years old allowed free with adults. No elephant safaris are conducted on Mondays, which is the designated rest day for the elephants.
Jeep safaris are the most popular way to explore wildlife inside the Corbett Tiger Reserve during the day. All eco-tourism zones allow jeep safaris except Dhikala. In Dhikala, jeep rides are restricted to visitors with prior overnight bookings at the Forest Rest House. Day visitors can explore the zone only via the Canter safari if they do not have prior accommodation bookings.
Visitors can book stays for a minimum of one night and up to a maximum of three nights. Other Forest Rest Houses available for accommodation include Lohachaur, Rathuadhab, Halduparao, Mundiapani, Morghatti, Sendhikhal, and Dhela.
Reservations for stays can be made online by paying the required tariffs in advance. Once the accommodation is confirmed, permits can be collected from the Ramnagar Reception Office before entering the park. It is highly recommended to book well in advance, as obtaining permits on the spot for FRH accommodations is almost impossible. Indian visitors can reserve up to 45 days in advance, while international tourists can book up to 90 days prior.
Those unable to secure FRH permits can opt for stays at private resorts, star hotels, or lodges located just outside Corbett Tiger Reserve, while still enjoying daily visits to the park as desired.
Advance permits for day visits or overnight stays, along with authorized jeep safaris and registered guides, can be booked with us. Simply fill out the query form, and we will respond to you at the earliest.
