Corbett safari permit & booking rules

How Corbett safari permits work

Every safari in the core of Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) needs a permit issued by the reserve. The permit is for one zone, one date and one shift, in the names of the guests who will ride. Permits are sold on the official CTR portal, corbettonline.uk.gov.in. Travel facilitators like us help you choose the zone, book on your behalf and arrange the registered jeep and guide.

• A permit is valid only for the zone, date and shift printed on it.
• Permits are not transferable. Names and ID numbers must match the guests.
• Private vehicles are not allowed in safari zones. Only registered Gypsys with a registered guide can enter.
• Buffer zones such as Sitabani issue a separate entry slip at the gate. No online CTR permit is needed there.

When bookings open

Forest rest house (night-stay) bookings follow their own window and rules. See the forest rest house guide.

ID documents you must carry

Each guest needs a valid photo ID. The same ID number used when booking must be shown in original at the gate. Photocopies and phone photos are often refused.

• Aadhaar card
• Voter ID
• Passport
• Driving licence
• PAN card
• Government employee ID
• Student ID (school / college)
• Office ID with photo

Foreign nationals must book with passport details (number, nationality, date of birth, issue and expiry dates) and carry the passport. For each guest we need name, age, gender and ID number.

Jeep capacity and children

• One jeep carries up to 6 adults and 2 children (aged 5–12), plus the driver and a mandatory guide.
• Children below 5 usually ride free without a seat; confirm with us when you book.
• Canter safaris are sold per seat, and every guest including children needs a seat.
• Guests not named on the permit cannot join the jeep, even if seats are empty.

Seasons, closures and standby periods

• Most core zones close for the monsoon (roughly mid-June to mid-October / mid-November). Jhirna, Dhela and Sitabani stay open, weather permitting.
• From about 1–15 June, some zones run in a standby mode and the park can close them at short notice before the rains.
• All forest rest houses close for night stays from about 15 June to 14 November.
• The park is closed on Holi, and zones can close without notice for floods, VIP movement or wildlife management.

Check today’s zone status before you travel.

Cancellations and refunds

• Day-safari permits are generally non-refundable once issued, as per CTR rules.
• If your payment went through but no permit was generated, CTR asks you to contact them quickly (within about 24 hours) for a refund.
• If the park itself closes a zone, refunds follow CTR’s process.
• Hotel, jeep and package cancellations follow our cancellation policy.

Rules inside the park

• Stay inside the vehicle at all times. Walking and trekking are not allowed in safari zones.
• No smoking, fires, alcohol, music or horns, and no littering. Carry all waste out.
• Do not feed, call out to or chase animals. Keep a safe distance, especially from elephants.
• Keep to the marked tracks and speed limits. Vehicles cannot leave the track or stop anywhere they like.
• Wear dull, earthy colours (khaki, olive, brown). Avoid bright clothes and strong perfume.
• No pets and no firearms. Drones need special permission.
• The decision of the Field Director, Corbett Tiger Reserve, on permits and entry is final.

These rules come from the Wildlife (Protection) Act and park orders. Breaking them can mean fines and being removed from the zone.