Before you book a Jim Corbett safari, you need three things straight: which months your zone is open, the Jim Corbett timings for each safari shift, and roughly what it will cost. This page pulls all three together. Times and fees are set by the Uttarakhand Forest Department and change from season to season, so treat the figures here as planning guidance and confirm on the official booking portal before you pay.
Opening months: Jim Corbett timings across the year
Jim Corbett is open all year, but not every zone is. The park’s main tourist season runs from mid-November to mid-June, when all the main zones operate. During the monsoon, most of the reserve closes.
- Bijrani and Garjia: 15 October to 30 June.
- Dhikala and Durga Devi: 15 November to 15 June.
- Jhirna, Dhela, Sitabani: open year-round, apart from brief suspensions in very heavy rain.
Phato and Hathidagar, run by the Ramnagar Forest Division, also close for the monsoon. If you are visiting between July and mid-October, plan around Jhirna, Dhela or Sitabani. Our monsoon guide explains what to expect.
Jim Corbett timings: morning and afternoon safari shifts
Every zone runs two jeep safari shifts a day, each about three to four hours long. Exact times shift with sunrise and sunset through the year.
- Morning shift: entry from about 6:00 in summer and 7:00 in winter, lasting roughly three hours.
- Afternoon shift: entry from about 14:30 in summer and 13:30 in winter, ending around sunset.
Exact times vary by zone and are set by the forest department. In winter, mornings start later and afternoons end earlier, and between December and February fog can delay morning starts. Plan to reach your gate at least 30 minutes before the shift starts; late arrivals can be refused entry.
Dhikala’s canter runs on its own schedule, leaving around 6:00 and 12:30 in summer and 6:30 and 12:00 in winter, and guests staying overnight in Dhikala take safaris from inside the zone. See our Dhikala guide for details.
Entry fee and safari cost (indicative, 2026)
A Corbett safari cost is made up of a permit fee, a vehicle (jeep) fee and a guide fee. Most visitors book a full jeep, which seats up to six people. Reported 2026 figures:
- Full jeep safari, Indian nationals: commonly ₹4,000–7,500 per jeep, per shift, all in, depending on zone and season.
- Foreign nationals: commonly about ₹10,000–16,000 per jeep.
- Dhikala canter seat: roughly ₹2,000–2,600 per person for Indian visitors.
Prices vary between booking channels because some quote the permit alone and others include the vehicle and guide, so compare line items. Forest rest house stays are charged separately.
Because the jeep price is per vehicle, sharing a jeep with friends or family brings the cost per person down a lot. A full six-person jeep at the lower end works out to under ₹1,000 per head.
How to book
Permits are sold through the Uttarakhand Forest Department’s official online booking portal. Indian nationals can generally book 45 days ahead and foreign nationals 90 days ahead, with ID or passport details entered at booking. Each permit covers one zone and one shift, and once paid it is generally non-refundable. Read how Corbett safari permits work for the full process.
What to bring on the day
- The original ID (or passport) used for the booking. Names must match.
- Your printed or digital permit confirmation.
- Warm layers in winter, sun protection and water in summer.
- Binoculars and a camera. Mobile phones have been banned on safaris since 5 February 2026 and must be deposited at the gate.
For gate locations, see our guide to Jim Corbett National Park gates.
Frequently asked questions
There are two shifts a day. Morning entry is from about 6:00 in summer and 7:00 in winter, and afternoon entry from about 14:30 in summer and 13:30 in winter. Each shift lasts roughly three hours, and exact times vary by zone.
A full jeep safari for Indian nationals commonly costs ₹4,000–7,500 per jeep per shift, including permit, vehicle and guide, depending on zone and season. Foreign nationals commonly pay about ₹10,000–16,000 per jeep. Confirm current rates on the official booking portal.
The park is open year-round, but only Jhirna, Dhela and Sitabani operate through the monsoon. From mid-November to mid-June all the main zones are open.
Most core zones close from about 1 July for the monsoon. Bijrani and Garjia reopen on 15 October, and Dhikala and Durga Devi on 15 November.
Source: Jim Corbett National Park (Wikipedia). All timings and tariffs are set by the Uttarakhand Forest Department and change periodically.