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Explore Corbett

The Corbett Safari Guide

Choose your safari by experience, not just by name.

Into the Forest

Find the Safari That Suits Your Stay

Corbett offers a range of safari zones, each with its own landscape and character. Dhela, Jhirna and Bijrani each admit 30 vehicles in the morning and 30 in the evening, and permits are limited. April to June is our busiest season, and October to March is also in high demand, so we recommend booking well ahead, especially for weekends and holidays.

Explore Your Options

Private Jeep Safaris

Guests staying outside the forest can take private jeep safaris into Jhirna, Dhela, Bijrani, Phato, Bhandarpani/Hathidagar and Sitabani, subject to the applicable permits, availability and government regulations.

Forest landscape in the Jhirna safari zone 01
Private Jeep Safari

Jhirna: forest, hills and river

Open year-round · Best for: guests who love varied, atmospheric jungle drives

Jhirna lies in the southern corner of Corbett, right beside Dhela, and its route passes through the Dhela zone. Entry is through the Jhirna (Khara) gate. The landscape changes as you go: sal forest, hill country, open grassy chaurs and a monsoon river. Once a village settlement that was relocated under Project Tiger, the area has returned to dense forest. Elephants, chital, sambar, nilgai, langurs and sloth bears share the zone with a rich birdlife, and the year-round season makes it a rewarding choice whenever you visit. Each drive is a fresh chance to meet Corbett’s famous tiger.

Green forest near the Dhela safari gate 02
Close to the Resort

Dhela: forest on our doorstep

Open year-round · Best for: guests who want to spend more time in the forest

Dhela is the gate closest to Parwati Wild Abode, so your safari begins moments after leaving the resort. Opened in 2014 as Corbett’s sixth eco-tourism zone, it covers 1,173 hectares of mixed forest, with sal, rohini, haldu, bahera and kusum trees, open grassy clearings and seasonal watercourses. That variety makes it ideal for birdwatching, and the zone is home to chital, sambar and barking deer, elephants, leopards, sloth bears and king cobras, along with Corbett’s tigers. The open terrain gives good visibility, and with 30 jeeps per session the drives feel unhurried. Families, first-time visitors and birdwatchers all enjoy it, and an early start brings you to the gate for the first golden light. Open through the year, it is also a lovely way to see the forest in its green monsoon colours.

Forest scenery in the Bijrani safari zone 03
Popular Safari Zone

Bijrani: grassland, river and mature forest

Open 15 October to 15 June · Best for: guests who enjoy changing scenery

Bijrani is one of Corbett’s historic ranges, a favourite since the British era, and it has a long-standing reputation for tiger sightings. A single drive brings together open grasslands, riverine stretches and deep forest laced with seasonal drainage channels. The tourism zone begins about 5 km beyond the Amdanda gate at Ramnagar, so the forest builds around you as you travel in. Photographers love the light and the variety. Bijrani pairs well with a second safari in another part of Corbett.

Natural forest landscape in the Phato safari zone 04
Another Strong Option

Phato: waterfalls, sal forest and elephants

Best for: a second safari, or guests who love elephants and water

Phato, in the southern part of Corbett, is a sal-forest zone with both natural and man-made waterfalls along the route. It is known for good elephant sightings, and the water makes it a pleasure for birdwatching and photography. It combines well with Dhela or Jhirna on a two-safari itinerary.

Forest landscape in the Bhandarpani and Hathidagar area 05
Alternative Route

Bhandarpani: foothill forest and a waterfall

Best for: guests seeking rewarding tiger country in a fresh setting

Bhandarpani is the entry gate to the Kota zone of the Ramnagar Forest Division, in the forested foothills next to Sitabani. The drive winds through quiet woodland and leads to a waterfall. The zone has built a reputation for surprisingly good tiger sightings, which makes it a favourite addition to a safari shortlist.

Woodland scenery in the Sitabani area 06
A Different Experience

Sitabani: forest, streams and an ancient temple

Open year-round · Best for: travellers who enjoy birdwatching, culture and a gentler pace

Sitabani sits on the Ramnagar side, entered through the Teda/Pawalgarh gate. It covers an entire hill of the Kumaon Himalayas, with the Sub-Himalayan character of the region and dense sal forest on three sides linking it to Corbett. Woodland and clear streams make it a peaceful setting for birdwatching and scenic drives. The area is linked to the legend of Sita, with a temple in the forest that adds a cultural layer to your day.

Woodland scenery in the Sitabani area 07
A Different Experience

Dhikala: Corbett’s grand forest stay

Open 15 November to 15 June · Best for: wildlife lovers, by canter safari for a day or by rest-house stay for a night

Dhikala is the largest and most celebrated zone in Corbett. It lies in the Patli Dun valley, where the Ramganga reservoir meets sal forest and the great Dhikala chaur grasslands. Entry is through the Dhangarhi gate, about 18 km from Ramnagar, followed by a forest drive of around 30 km to the rest house. Chital, barking deer, sambar and barasingha graze the grasslands, alongside elephants, tigers, hyenas, foxes, monitor lizards and monkeys.

Woodland scenery in the Sitabani area 08
A Different Experience

Hathidagar: Corbett’s newest zone

Best for: guests who want a new route, with reported tiger sightings and rich birdlife

Hathidagar opened in March 2024 and lies on a different side of Corbett from Bhandarpani, with its gate near Maldhan village. Forest tracks pass through stands of eucalyptus and along streams, with village-edge scenery between the trees. Tigers, leopards and elephants share the area, and the skies are especially good for raptors such as eagles, kites and shikras. Tiger sightings have been reported here.

Dhikala forest and grassland landscape
A Different Safari

Dhikala : Explore by canter safari

Enjoy the Dhikala jungle on a day visit aboard a specially designed canter, an open-sided safari bus that seats 16 guests. Safaris run in morning and evening sessions, each lasting about five hours, giving you time to travel deep into the forest and take in the grasslands and the reservoir. Guests board at the Corbett Reception in Ramnagar or at the Dhangarhi gate, then travel together with a registered nature guide as part of the Ramganga Conducted Tour. It is a relaxed way to see Dhikala, and the high seating gives wide views over the chaur.

Stay inside the forest. For a deeper experience, the Dhikala Forest Rest House stands inside the core area, so you wake up in the jungle itself, with 32 lodges and 2 dormitories for guests. Jeep safaris in Dhikala are reserved for guests staying at the rest house.

Canter seats and rest-house stays need to be booked in advance, and Dhikala is one of Corbett’s most sought-after experiences, so we recommend planning early. Canter seats are booked per person, with morning and evening sessions during the Dhikala season (15 November to 15 June).

Plan Your Experience

How to Choose

01

One Safari

Jhirna or Dhela are natural choices from Parwati, depending on availability and your itinerary.

02

Two Safaris

Experience two different landscapes, such as Jhirna + Phato or Dhela + Bijrani.

03

Want Dhikala Without Staying Inside?

Choose the Dhikala Canter experience.

Plan Your Budget

Current Private Jeep Safari Charges

Compare the listed charges for private jeep safari options before planning your visit.

Zone Current Charge
Jhirna ₹8,000
Dhela ₹8,000
Bijrani ₹8,000
Phato ₹7,500
Bhandarpani / Hathidagar ₹7,000
Sitabani ₹7,000

Up to 6 people per private jeep.

Charges include pickup/drop and permit charges.

Safari bookings are government-regulated and subject to availability.

Valid IDs of all guests are mandatory for booking.

Charges last updated:

Before You Book

Corbett Safari Booking Essentials

A little preparation goes a long way towards a smooth safari experience. Keep these important booking requirements in mind before confirming your forest drive.

01

Peak Seasons

April to June is our busiest period, and October to March is also in high demand. Early booking helps secure your preferred zone and timing.

02

Valid Photo ID for Every Guest

All IDs are mandatory to book a safari, so please share them with our team when you confirm your dates. Please carry the same photo ID used when booking.

03

Registered Nature Guide

A registered guide accompanies every safari, adding local knowledge to each drive and helping you understand the forest and its wildlife.

04

Non-Cancellable Permits

Safari permits are non-cancellable once booked, so we suggest finalising your dates and preferred zones before confirming.

Planning Note

Zone availability, timings and permit rules are set by the Corbett authorities and can change with the season. Every safari is a fresh encounter with the forest, and sightings vary naturally by day and season. Share your dates and our team will help you secure permits and plan the ideal mix of zones for your stay.