Dhikala Canter Safari Booking.

Why Choose the Canter Safari?

• Exclusive Core Zone Access: The only day-visitor gateway into Dhikala — India's finest tiger grassland.
• Elevated Viewing: The bus's raised seating gives a clear line of sight over tall grasses and along waterholes — superior to low-set jeeps for photography.
• Budget-Friendly: At roughly ₹2,500 per seat, you experience the same core territory that overnight guests pay far more to access.
• Perfect for Groups: Families, school trips, and corporate outings can all travel together rather than splitting across multiple jeeps.
• Expert Guide Included: A certified naturalist rides on every Canter, maximising your chances of meaningful wildlife encounters.

2. Canter Safari Timings

The Dhikala Canter Safari runs twice daily — one morning shift and one afternoon shift. Exact timings vary slightly between the summer and winter seasons, as the forest department adjusts departure times to align with wildlife activity patterns and available daylight.

* All Canters depart from the Ramnagar Reception Center (Corbett Tiger Reserve Forest Department Office). Visitors must arrive at least 30 minutes before departure for ID verification and boarding. The Dhikala Zone remains closed to tourists from 15 June to 14 November each year during the monsoon season.

The morning shift is widely preferred by wildlife photographers and serious safari-goers. Animals are most active in the cool early hours, and tiger pugmarks are freshest on the forest trails. The afternoon shift, however, offers excellent lighting for photography in the golden late-afternoon hours and is often quieter.

3. Canter Safari Price & Permit Fees (2025–26)

The Canter Safari fee is charged per seat and covers your entry permit into the Dhikala Core Zone, your seat on the government Canter bus, and the services of a certified naturalist guide throughout the safari. There is no separate vehicle hire cost since the Canter is a shared government bus.

* Children below 12 years of age do not require a separate ticket. However, if a ticket is purchased for a child, the full adult fare will be charged. All prices are subject to revision by the Uttarakhand Forest Department. Confirm current rates at the time of booking.

4. How to Book Dhikala Canter Safari

Dhikala Canter Safari permits are available through the official Uttarakhand forest department portal (corbettonline.uk.gov.in) or through authorised booking agents. Since Dhikala is extremely popular and seat availability is limited to just two 16-seat Canters per shift per day, advance booking is strongly advised.

• Indian nationals can book up to 45 days in advance.
• Foreign nationals can book up to 90 days in advance.
• Maximum of 6 individuals per online booking transaction. For larger groups, multiple bookings are required.
• At the time of booking, provide: full name, age, gender, nationality, ID proof type, and ID number for each traveller.
• Payment must be made online at the time of booking to confirm the permit.
• Permits are sent digitally and must be carried (printed or on phone) on the day of the safari.

If the official portal is showing no availability or you need help navigating the booking system, submit an enquiry using the form on this page. Our local team checks live availability, assists with group bookings, and confirms your permit within 2 hours.

5. Canter Safari Permit Rules & Regulations

Jim Corbett National Park is a Project Tiger Reserve under the strictest conservation guidelines in India. The Dhikala Canter Safari operates under a specific set of rules that every visitor must follow without exception. Violations can result in expulsion from the park, permit cancellation, or legal action under the Wildlife Protection Act.

• No cancellation or rescheduling: Once a Canter permit is booked and paid, it cannot be cancelled, refunded, or rescheduled to another date or shift. It is also non-transferable — the names on the permit cannot be changed.
• Strict alcohol ban: Carrying or consuming alcohol inside the park is strictly prohibited and is a punishable offence.
• No non-vegetarian food: Non-veg food is not permitted inside the forest boundaries during the safari.
• No plastic: Single-use plastic (water bottles, wrappers, bags) must not be carried into the park. Carry a reusable bottle.
• No noise: Loud music, shouting, or any activity that disturbs wildlife is strictly forbidden. Respect the silence of the forest.
• Stay on the Canter: Tourists must remain seated on the Canter at all times. Alighting from the vehicle inside the park is not permitted at any point during the safari.
• No smoking: Smoking is prohibited throughout the national park.
• Photography: Personal cameras and mobile phones are permitted. Flash photography that disturbs animals should be avoided. Commercial filming requires a separate permit.
• ID mandatory at gate: Your original government-issued ID will be checked at the Dhangari Gate entry against your permit. Mismatch leads to denial of entry without refund.
• Seasonal closure: The Dhikala Zone — and all Canter safaris — remain closed from 15 June to 14 November every year. No permits are issued during this period.

6. Documents Required for Canter Safari

A valid, government-issued photo ID is mandatory for every individual travelling on the Canter, including adults, senior citizens, and children above 12 years. Your original ID must match the details submitted at the time of booking. Photocopies or digital scans on a phone are generally not accepted at the forest gate — always carry the original physical document.

* Ensure the name, age, and ID number on your permit exactly match your original ID. Any discrepancy will result in denial of entry at the forest gate, and no refund will be provided in such cases. Double-check all details during the booking process.