Jim Corbett Rules for Tourists: Do’s and Don’ts

Why Jim Corbett rules for tourists matter

Corbett Tiger Reserve is a protected tiger habitat first and a tourist destination second. The Jim Corbett rules for tourists exist so that animals can behave naturally, so that you stay safe around elephants and tigers, and so that the forest looks the same for the next visitor.

Most rules are common sense, and your driver and guide will remind you of them. Knowing them in advance, though, makes your safari calmer and helps you avoid an awkward moment at the gate. This page expands on the short list in our permit and booking rules guide.

Corbett do’s and don’ts at a glance

Rules inside the safari jeep or canter

Your Gypsy or canter is the only place you are allowed to be in a safari zone. Walking, trekking and getting off at random spots are not permitted. Inside the vehicle, keep to these simple rules:

• Stay seated. Standing on seats or sitting on the roll bar is unsafe on rough tracks and can startle animals.
• Hands and heads inside. Near elephants in particular, nothing should stick out of the jeep.
• Low voices. Whisper at sightings. Loud chatter ends more tiger sightings than anything else.
• No flash photography. It disturbs animals and does little for your photo anyway.
• No feeding. Not the monkeys, not the deer, not the birds at the rest stop.
• No littering, smoking, alcohol or music. Keep snacks sealed and carry wrappers back.
• No horns and no leaving the track. Drivers must keep to marked routes and speed limits.

You may step out only at designated rest points or watchtowers, and only when your guide says it is fine.

At the gate: reporting time, ID and names

Plan to report about 30 minutes before your shift starts. Gates open and close on fixed timings, and a late arrival can simply mean a shorter safari. Check the season’s timings on our safari timings page.

• Carry the original of the photo ID used in the booking. Accepted IDs include Aadhaar card, Voter ID, Passport, Driving licence, PAN card, Government employee ID, Student ID (school / college), Office ID with photo. Foreign nationals must use their passport.
• The names on the permit must match the people in the jeep. Permits cannot be transferred to someone else.
• A registered naturalist guide is compulsory for every vehicle. The guide fee is usually paid at the gate.
• Firearms and pets are not allowed. Your vehicle may be checked for plastic, alcohol and other banned items.

Rules for a night at a forest rest house

Staying inside the reserve comes with a stricter set of rules than a day safari. The key ones are:

• No alcohol and no non-vegetarian food anywhere inside the reserve, including your room.
• Reach the gate before it closes around sunset. No driving inside after dark.
• Do not leave the fenced area of the rest house after dark, even for a short walk.
• Respect lights-out. Many rest houses run on solar or a generator for limited hours, often till about 10 pm.
• Keep noise down at night. Sound travels far in the forest.
• Collect a clearance certificate from the rest house before you drive out.

For the full list of stay rules and how booking works, see our forest rest house guide.

Photography, drones and what to wear

Personal cameras, phones and binoculars are welcome on safari. A few extra rules apply to bigger kit:

• Drones are not allowed without written permission from the reserve authorities. Do not fly one from your resort towards the forest either.
• Commercial filming, documentaries and professional shoots need separate permits and fees, arranged well in advance.
• Large lenses are fine for personal use, but some professional equipment may attract a camera fee at the gate.

For clothing, choose earthy colours such as khaki, olive, brown and grey. Bright colours and white stand out to animals, and strong perfume or deodorant can carry on the breeze. Closed shoes are better than sandals for climbing in and out of jeeps.

Staying safe around elephants and tigers

Elephants

Elephants are the animals Corbett drivers respect most. Herds with young calves can be protective, and a lone tusker can be unpredictable. Keep a good distance, stay completely quiet and let the driver decide whether to wait, reverse or move on. Never ask them to go closer for a photo.

Tigers and leopards

When a tiger is sighted, silence is everything. Stay seated, keep still and do not point or wave. If several jeeps gather, avoid crowding the animal or blocking its path across the track. A tiger that feels hemmed in will simply vanish, and nobody gets the sighting.

For all animals: no feeding, no calling out and no sudden movements. Monkeys at rest points can snatch food, so keep bags zipped.

Penalties and responsible tourism

Corbett is protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and park orders issued by the Field Director. Breaking the rules can lead to fines, removal from the zone, cancellation of your permit and, for serious offences such as disturbing or harming wildlife, legal action. The decision of the reserve authorities on entry and permits is final.

Beyond the rules, a few habits make a real difference:

• Carry a refillable bottle and avoid single-use plastic.
• Hire local guides and buy from local shops and homestays.
• Do not share live locations of tiger sightings on social media.
• Be patient. A quiet safari with birds and deer is still a good safari.

Rules for kids

Children love Corbett, and a short chat before the safari helps. Explain that they must stay seated, keep hands inside and whisper when the guide points something out. Give them binoculars or a bird checklist to keep them busy. Pack snacks in a sealed box and remind them never to throw anything out of the jeep or offer food to monkeys. Up to 2 children aged 5–12 can join 6 adults in one jeep.