Core area (Dhikala)

Dhikala Canter Safari Booking

Shared 16-seater safari option for the Dhikala core area. Use the official portal for booking; we help you pick the right dates and boarding point.

What is the Dhikala Canter Safari?

The Dhikala Canter Safari is a shared wildlife safari organized by the Uttarakhand Forest Department. An open-air, high-chassis 16-seater mini-bus (Canter) takes tourists deep inside the core-area of the Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve.

Important Note: Day visits by private Gypsy/Jeep are strictly prohibited in the Dhikala Zone. Unless you have booked a night stay at the Dhikala Forest Rest House, the Canter safari is the only way to access the interior grasslands and riverbanks of Dhikala for day tourism.

Capacity

16 seats per vehicle (shared)

Season window

15 Nov – 15 Jun (Closed during Monsoon)

Boarding points

Ramnagar & Dhangarhi

Booking window

Up to 45 days in advance via official portal

Official Canter Permit Fees (Reference)

🇮🇳 Indian Nationals:1500 + 18% GST per seat

🌐 Foreign Nationals:3000 + 18% GST per seat

*Official government pricing is subject to revisions. Bookings are done directly on the state forestry portal.

Dhikala Canter Safari Timings & Shifts

Timings vary slightly by season and weather. The safari lasts approximately 5 hours including the commute from Ramnagar through Dhangarhi Gate.

Winter Shifts (Nov – Mar)

Morning: 6:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Afternoon: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Summer Shifts (Apr – Jun)

Morning: 5:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Afternoon: 12:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Biodiversity of Dhikala Zone

As the crown jewel of the Corbett Tiger Reserve, the Dhikala zone hosts a wide range of flora and fauna. The vast grasslands ('Chaurs') are perfect for viewing herds of spotted deer, wild elephants, and tracking royal Bengal tigers.

Key Wildlife:

Bengal Tigers, Asian Elephants, Leopards, Sloth Bears, Crocodile, Gharial, Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer, Hog Deer, and Barking Deer.

Flora & Habitats:

Deciduous Sal forests, Haldu trees, river beds, river islands, mudbanks, and the vast Dhikala Chaur (Asia's prime wild grassland corridor).

Critical Zone Rules & Restrictions

· Mobile Phones Strictly Banned: Carrying cell phones into the core reserve is illegal under Supreme Court guidelines to avoid disturbing the wildlife.

· Non-Refundable: Permits are non-transferable, non-replaceable, and non-refundable once registered on the government system.

· Punctuality: The Canter leaves strictly on time from Ramnagar / Dhangarhi Gate. Be present 30 minutes early.

Planning Assistance

Since Dhikala is the most demanded zone, permits sell out within minutes of opening. Share your date + hotel location and we'll suggest the best boarding point (Ramnagar or Dhangarhi).

Need Local Help?

Our office is based right in Ramnagar. We assist travelers with logistics coordination, boarding guidance, and guide referrals.

Call Desk +91 85338 80076