This blog is going to be a detailed comparison of Jim Corbett Jeep vs Canter Safari, where I will be diving deep into the various aspects of each of them. I will also explain in detail which one you should pick for your next wildlife trip to the Jim Corbett National Park. But before that, a little context.
Since I started my wildlife exploration journey, I have always been curious about the amazing nature, birds, and animals of our country and how they make our wildlife ecosystem so rich and worth exploring. During my early days, when I started exploring wildlife in Jim Corbett due to its proximity to NCR, I started with the option of a Canter safari in Jim Corbett due to budget constraints. I travelled by a canter vehicle in the Dhikala Zone of Corbett Tiger Reserve, since only there can you avail the canter safari option. Gradually, when I explored more and gained more experience, and even budget issues weren’t that major concerns, I shifted to the option of a Jeep safari in Jim Corbett. This allowed me to shift focus to other zones, also in detail, like Bijrani, Dhela, Jhirna, etc.
So I have seen it all. What it is like to go on a Jim Corbett day visit safari to explore the park in a Canter vehicle. Also, how’s the experience in a 4×4 jeep that can navigate any off-road terrain across all zones.
Through this blog, I will help you decide which option is best for your next wildlife trip to Jim Corbett.
Also, the Jungle Revives team will help you plan everything perfectly, from bookings to documentation, permits, etc., so that you can focus more on the experience rather than logistics. Additionally, visit my YouTube channel to see my previous Jim Corbett trips.
Table of Contents
Detailed Comparison of Jim Corbett Jeep vs Canter Safari
The Jeep vs Canter safari in Corbett experience comparison is incomplete without getting into the following aspects right at the start:
- Which is best in general: shared vs private safari in Jim Corbett?
- What is the best safari type in Jim Corbett during summer, winter, and monsoon? Exploring the seasonality guide.
- The Seating Capacity in a canter vs a jeep.
- What are the operational timings?
- Details on zone privileges.
- Pricing details.
- Wildlife sighting experience.
- Comfort and accessibility.
- Booking process.
- Applicable regulations.
Let’s jump into each of these one by one.
What are the Zone Privileges for Canter and Jeep Safari in Corbett?
Jeep safari in Jim Corbett is permitted across all eight zones of the National Park, including core and buffer zones. These include Bijrani, Dhikala, Jhirna, Dhela, Durga Devi, Garjia, Sitabani, and Phato. It’s the best option to opt for across summer, winter, and monsoon seasons if you are looking to explore the diverse ecological presence in Corbett and are opting to stay inside the forest rest house campus.
On the other hand, Canter safari in Jim Corbett is only permitted in Dhikala, which is a core zone of the wildlife park. Dhikala has vast grasslands and wider routes, which enable the smooth movement of large vehicles like the canter. The canter safari operates only during the daytime, both during the morning and afternoon sessions. Also, people who opt for staying in the Dhikala Forest Rest House cannot go for a canter safari. They have to opt for the Jeep Safari only.
Here’s a tabular comparison of both canter and jeep safari zonal privileges in Jim Corbett National Park.
| ZONE | ENTRY GATE | JEEP ACCESS | CANTER ACCESS |
| Dhikala | Dhangari | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bijrani | Amdanda | ✓ | ✗ |
| Jhirna | Dhela | ✓ | ✗ |
| Dhela | Dhela | ✓ | ✗ |
| Durga Devi | Durga Devi | ✓ | ✗ |
| Garjia | Garjia | ✓ | ✗ |
| Sitabani | Sitabani | ✓ | ✗ |
| Phato | Phato | ✓ | ✗ |
Shared vs Private Safari in Jim Corbett: Which One to Pick and Why?
Jim Corbett day visit safari in a shared canter vehicle is best for those who are either budget constrained or only want to have a day trip in Jim Corbett and return to their accommodation later.
Since Dhikala is the core zone, and visitors have a higher probability of spotting tigers, elephants, and other exciting wild animals and birds, a canter trip with great elevation views will be your best choice. Whether you opt for the morning session or the afternoon session, you will get a chance to explore the amazing biodiversity in the core Dhikala Zone on a canter vehicle.
On the other hand, go for the private jeep safari option if you are planning to stay inside the forest rest house campus in any of the eight zones, and want to go on a morning and afternoon safari trip to explore Jim Corbett comprehensively. Opting for a jeep safari will allow you to go on diverse routes which are less explored by mainstream tourists and often not part of the canter safari. Also, jeep safari is best for those who don’t have any budget constraints and want to leverage the private tour option to have a unique experience of the Jim Corbett wildlife park.
With Jungle Revives, our team will help you throughout the entire end-to-end process of booking the canter as well private jeep safari according to your schedule and requirements.
What’s the Best Safari Type in Jim Corbett in Summer, Winter & Monsoon
The jeep safari option is best suited for all seasons to explore the Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve. Be it exploring any of the eight zones of Corbett like Bijrani, Dhikala, Jhirna, Dhela, Durga Devi, Garjia, Sitabani, and Phato. Going on a jeep safari is the best choice in winter, summer, and even in monsoon season (limited zonal accessibility due to heavy rains and flooding).
However, the Canter safari option is applicable only for the summer and winter seasons. That’s because the canter operates only in the Dhikala zone, and during the monsoon, operations remain suspended here due to flooding and waterlogging. Therefore, Dhikala, being the core zone and heart of Jim Corbett, only operates in winter and summer (between mid-November to mid-June). So the canter option can be availed only during that time of the year.
Jim Corbett Safari Price & Timings in Jeep vs Canter Option
The pricing details of planning a canter or jeep safari are different for both Indian and Foreign nationality individuals in Jim Corbett. You can connect with our team of experts at Jungle Revives, where:
- First, we will understand your requirements
- Then, plan your custom itinerary, and
- Give you a price quotation.
We plan custom trips, and through our process, we help you seamlessly curate the best experience for exploring India’s oldest National park.
Moving forward, here are the timing details for both the canter and jeep safari options. Both the Jeep Safari and Canter Safari last for a maximum of 4 hours.
Timings of Jeep Safari in Corbett Tiger Reserve
- Summer
- Morning Session: Starts at 5:30 AM
- Afternoon Session: Starts at 2:30 PM
- Winter
- Morning Session: Starts at 6:30 AM
- Afternoon Session: Starts at around 1 PM
- Monsoon
During the monsoon, zones like Jhirna and Dhela are open for jungle safaris. Operation timing may fluctuate depending on weather conditions, but general timings are:- Morning Session: Starts at 6 AM
- Afternoon Session: Starts at 1:30 PM
Timings of Canter Safari in Corbett National Park
- Winter
- Morning Session: Starts at 6 AM
- Afternoon Session: Starts at 12 PM
- Summer
- Morning Session: Starts around 5:45 AM
- Afternoon Session: Starts from 12:30 PM
What is the Safari Capacity in Jeep Vs Canter Option?
The Jeep Safari is done in a 4×4 Gypsy and can accommodate up to 8 people with a configuration of 6 adults and 2 children. It’s an open-top vehicle that is specifically designed for narrow forest trails.
On the other hand, the canter safari takes place in a canter vehicle, which is usually an open-air bus configuration with a total capacity of 16-20 passengers maximum. It’s generally a large vehicle that can easily go on off-road wider tracks across the Dhikala Zone. The seating position is elevated, and that offers a panoramic viewing option for near and distant wildlife spotting.
Jeep Vs Canter Safari in Corbett Experience Comparison for Major Zones
Although Dhikala is known for a large number of tiger sightings, zones like Bijrani, Dhela, and Jhirna have also shown great possibilities of tiger sightings in the recent few months.
- Dhikala Canter Safari: The Canter Safari Experience in Corbett, specifically in the Dhikala Zone, is an outstanding experience if you are short on time and budget. You trade off comfort and exclusivity for accessing the park’s most legendary zone, but get to sit high up in a canter vehicle, and enjoy panoramic views across vast grasslands. The ride is bumpy, so you should be prepared mentally accordingly. Also, a great tip is to choose front-row seats if possible for the best experience.
- Dhikala Jeep Safari: This is exclusive to those who decide to stay overnight in the Forest Rest House. You cannot book a jeep safari in Dhikala unless you are staying inside the FRH campus. The experience is unrivaled as you wake up inside the jungle, and the safari starts immediately from the lodge without wasting any time, as compared to a canter safari. You can stop anywhere in your route, listen to alarm calls and nature’s silence, and have the ultimate Corbett experience.
- Bijrani Jeep Safari: Excellent option if you are staying inside Bijrani Forest Rest House. The terrain is drier than Dhikala and offers clear visibility. Also, Bijrani has a healthy tiger population. So chances of spotting tigers are immense.
- Dhela / Jhirna Jeep Safari: These are all-weather zones and operational year-round. So go for a jeep safari in Dhela or Jhirna across summer, winter, or monsoon to experience unique sightings in Jim Corbett. The jeep safaris are comfortable and will offer you unique access to exceptional scenic views.
To experience the best safari for tiger sightings in Corbett National Park, connect with the Jungle Revives.
What is the Comfort level in Jim Corbett Jeep vs Canter Safari?
Going on a Canter Tiger sighting safari in Corbett National Park into the Dhikala Zone, is going to be a stable yet bumpy ride. That’s because the suspension of the canter vehicle is made for seamlessly navigating off-road and rough terrain easily. So if you are someone who experiences frequent back pain issues, you may want to rethink opting for a canter safari in Dhikala. But for others, definitely pick the canter option if you are someone who is on a budget, short on time, visiting Corbett for the first time, or comfortable with a shared safari experience.
On the other hand, a Private jeep safari in Jim Corbett offers greater comfort than a canter safari. You get to explore the jungle at your personalized pace, get a low seating option, privacy is great, and you get a resort pickup facility. It’s best for those whose primary objective is wildlife photography, and seeking an intimate and flexible wildlife experience.
What are the Jim Corbett Safari Rules?
Here are some park-wide regulations that you must follow:
- Always carry a safari guide with you.
- Have your IDs present with you all the time for verification purposes.
- Avoid causing noise pollution in silent zones. Avoid talking loudly or making loud sounds in proximity to wildlife.
- Do not litter anywhere, as it can attract strict penalties and even fines.
Also, some of the Zone Specific regulations include:
- Day visitors can only visit Dhikala in a canter safari. Jeep safari is prohibited unless you are staying inside the FRH campus.
- Overnight guests must book Forest Rest House with a Jeep Safari package. The Canter safari option is not available here.
- When travelling during the monsoon in Zones like Dhela or Jhirna, do not cause any discomfort to the wildlife as its peak breeding season.
How to book your Jim Corbett Jeep vs Canter Safari with Jungle Revives
Whether you are looking to book a jeep safari or a canter safari in Jim Corbett, get in touch with the expert team of travel consultants and planners at Jungle Revives. Shishir and the team have 10+ years of expertise in exploring every corner of Jim Corbett and know the ins and outs of what goes into planning a perfect trip.
Simply share your requirements with us, and we will get to planning a custom experience for you in Jim Corbett, whether through a jeep safari or a canter safari. We will take care of the entire process from start to end so that you don’t have to do any heavy lifting and can focus on enjoying the trip.
From documentation to bookings, accommodation planning, managing unforeseen issues, and everything you can think of. Our team will handle everything for you. So, start planning your Jim Corbett trip Today with Jungle Revives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why should I go for the Dhikala jeep safari option?
If you are going to stay inside the Dhikala Forest rest House, you must opt for the Jeep Safari option. Canter safari is not allowed for overnight stay visitors inside Dhikala.
What are the Bijrani jeep safari Timings?
The Jeep Safari in Bijrani starts around 5:30 AM in the summer season and 6:30 AM in the winter season. These are general timings, but weather conditions may affect the actual start time.
Who should opt for the Dhikala canter safari?
If you are someone who is going on a day visit to Jim Corbett, is short on budget, and not interested in staying in the FRH campus, opting for the canter safari in the core Dhikala zone will be your best option.
Is the Dhela / Jhirna jeep safari available during the monsoon?
Yes, these zones are open during the monsoon season, and you can go on a morning or afternoon jeep safari in Dhikala or Jhirna Zone.
What are the Jim Corbett safari price & timings?
The price depends on your custom trip plan based on how many people are visiting, seasonality, and zonal details. Also, the timings are divided into morning and afternoon sessions. Morning session starts at roughly around 5:30 AM in summer, 6:30 AM in winter, and afternoon session starts at 2:30 PM in summer and 1 PM in winter.
Is a Jeep allowed in the Dhikala Zone?
Yes, it’s allowed in the Dhikala Zone only for those who have opted to stay inside the Forest Rest House campus. Not for day visitors.
Which zone is better, Dhikala or Bijrani?
Both zones are better as they are core zones in Jim Corbett. While Dhikala is the heart of Jim Corbett and is mainstream amongst visitors, Bijrani also offers exceptional scope for tiger sightings and spotting amazing scenic views.
Which time is best for jungle safari?
In winter, the best months for a jungle safari are November to February, and during summer, it’s March to June.
Why is Dhikala Zone closed?
Dhikala remains closed from July to October due to the monsoon season.
How to reach Dhikala Forest Rest House?
First, you have to reach the town of Ramnagar, then make an entry into the Dhikala Zone gate, and then you can navigate to the Dhikala Forest Rest House. Best for staying if you have opted for a jeep safari option.
Which FRH is best in Jim Corbett National Park?
Dhikala FRH, Bijrani FRH, Malani FRH, and Gairal FRH are some of the popular and most sought-after Forest Rest Houses in Jim Corbett.
