Dhikala Canter Safari Booking Online

Welcome to the Dhikala Zone, one of the most favourite zones in Jim Corbett National Park. Online Canter Safari Booking is available for advanced seat reservations. This is the core zone of the national park. The canter safari in the Dhikala zone is a captivating experience. It gets distinguished from other safari zones within Corbett. Visitors can conveniently book the Dhikala Canter Safari online. All booking procedures are governed and regulated by forest officials in accordance with the guidelines set by India's forest department. Please note that tourists cannot request changes to the assigned safari zone, driver, or naturalist guide.

Dhikala Canter Safari

The Canter safari accommodates up to 16 people at a time and operates on a shared basis. Children below 12 years are not required to book separate tickets. However, parents can do so if they want. In that case, the child will be considered an adult, and the full ticket price will be charged. The canter, which is similar to a minibus, takes visitors to the Dhikala Zone, the central part of Corbett Tiger Reserve. This zone is renowned for its dense wildlife population and natural beauty.

The canter safaris are conducted twice daily, with the first safari starting at 6:00 AM and the second at around 12:00 PM. Each safari lasts approximately five hours, allowing visitors to experience the zone’s flora and fauna without the need to stay at the Dhikala Forest Rest House, located within the safari zone. After securing the permit, you must hire a Jeep with a driver and a naturalist to access the park and reach your booked accommodation. The canter safari in the Dhikala Zone begins from the Dhangari Gate. Once inside, tourists have the freedom to explore Dhikala’s diverse flora and fauna by canter throughout the day, within the designated hours.

Dhikala Forest Rest House

The Dhikala Canter Safari is an excellent option for those who do not have a permit for an overnight stay in the Dhikala Zone. Unlike other zones in Corbett National Park, the Dhikala Zone does not offer Jeep safaris for day visitors. To enter this zone, you must obtain a permit for an overnight stay at one of the Forest Rest Houses (FRH) within the park. Built in 1890, Dhikala FRH is located at the edge of the Patli Dun valley and offers wide, uninterrupted views of the Ramganga River with the Kanda ridge forming a scenic backdrop. The property holds strong historical value, as it was the venue where Project Tiger was officially launched in 1973.

Guests can choose from a range of well-maintained accommodation options, including cabins, hutments, annexes, and log huts, designed for a comfortable stay in the forest. Beyond lodging, Dhikala provides a complete wildlife experience with on-site restaurants, knowledgeable nature guides, jeep safari services, and a well-equipped library. Evenings can be spent relaxing with wildlife film screenings or enjoying quiet walks along the designated walking trails.

To visit the Dhikala Zone, visitors must obtain a safari entry permit, which must be shown to forest officials at the Dhangari entry gate. The permit can be booked online up to 45 days in advance. Same-day permits may also be issued from the forest office in Ramnagar, depending on availability and on a first-come, first-served basis. Along with the entry permit, hiring a canter or jeep and an authorised guide or naturalist is compulsory for entering the tiger reserve. Each canter or jeep can carry up to 16 adults (12 years and above), in addition to the driver and guide. Since safari demand is high and only 30 safari vehicles are permitted per shift in the Dhikala Zone - most of which are booked in advance - it is strongly advised to secure your permit early.

Attractions in the Dhikala Zone

The Dhikala Safari Zone represents the unspoiled natural charm of Corbett National Park and is widely regarded as the most scenic area within the reserve. Renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, Dhikala is among the most popular tourism zones in India. It is the largest of the five zones in the Corbett Tiger Reserve and features a diverse landscape of dense Sal forests, open grasslands, narrow valleys, and multiple channels of the Ramganga River. The Ramganga River, often described as the lifeline of the Corbett forest, adds to the region’s natural beauty while supporting a wide variety of plant and animal life.

Dhikala Zone is especially known for sightings of the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Asiatic elephant. The area supports a healthy population of these iconic species, giving visitors regular chances to observe tigers in their natural habitat and large herds of elephants moving across the landscape. The zone takes its name from the extensive Dhikala grassland, which is the largest grassland in the Corbett Reserve. Along with tigers and elephants, the zone is home to diverse wildlife such as leopards, spotted deer, sambar deer, hog deer, langurs, wild boars, crocodiles, and several other species.

Forest Watchtower:

The watchtower is a distinctive feature of the Dhikala Zone, providing an exceptional vantage point for wildlife observation and the neighbouring Ramnagar town. Strategically positioned to overlook the expansive Chaur and the entire length of the Ramganga River, the watchtower offers spectacular views of animals grazing in the grasslands or roaming along the riverbank. Located near the Dhikala Forest Rest House, the watchtower is conveniently accessible to guests staying at the rest house.

Gairal Crocodile Point :

Adjacent to the Gairal Rest House in the Dhikala zone, Crocodile Point is a terrace-like platform constructed above a pool that serves as a permanent habitat for numerous crocodiles. From this vantage point, visitors can observe the gharials and their activities by looking down into the pool.

Grass Lands (Chaurs):

The wide open grasslands of Corbett National Park are called Chaurs. These open spaces, especially in the Dhikala Zone, are great spots to see wildlife like tigers, elephants, different types of deer, and wild pigs. Dhikala is well known for its large Chaurs, and many visitors often spot tigers here.

Prohibitions in the Dhikala Zone

• Alcohol and non-vegetarian food are strictly prohibited.
• All personal items and non-biodegradable waste, such as tin cans, plastic bottles, glass containers, and metal foils, should be collected in a carry bag and properly disposed of after the safari.
• These measures are implemented to ensure the safety of the animals and the preservation of their natural habitats in the Dhikala Zone.