Jim Corbett National Park

Corbett National Park has captured the imagination of many with its diverse wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. The natural uniqueness of the area was recognised long ago and so in 1936 Corbett attained the distinction as the first national park to be established in mainland Asia.
Corbett National Park lies in two districts – Nainital and Pauri – in the hill state of Uttarakhand in northern India. It covers an area of 521 sq. km and together with the neighbouring Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and Reserve Forest areas, forms the Corbett Tiger Reserve over 1288 sq. km.
Its geographical location between the Himalayas and the terai, and the streams, rivers and ridges crisscrossing the terrain, present Corbett with a remarkable variety of landscapes. This vivid mosaic of habitats – wet and dry, plain and mountainous, gentle and rugged, forests and grasslands – supports numerous plant and animal species, representing Himalayan as well as plains kinds. The most famous of Corbett’s wild residents are the Bengal Tiger and the Asiatic Elephant, but with about 600 species of avi-fauna Corbett is one of the richest bird regions of India.
The oldest national park in India, this wildlife sanctuary has been a hot-spot for plenty of nature loveINR The humble abode of Sambar deer, elephant, golden jackal and many others, the park has surprises in store for all.

Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest national park in India and was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park to protect the endangered Bengal tiger. It is located in Nainital district of Uttarakhand and was named after Jim Corbett who played a key role in its establishment. The park was the first to come under the Project Tiger initiative. The park has sub-Himalayan belt geographical and ecological characteristics. An eco-tourism destination, it contains 488 different species of plants and a diverse variety of fauna. The increase in tourist activities, among other problems, continues to present a serious challenge to the park’s ecological balance.

Corbett has been a haunt for tourists and wildlife lovers for a long time. Tourism activity is only allowed in selected areas of Corbett Tiger Reserve so that people get an opportunity to see its splendid landscape and the diverse wildlife. In recent years the number of people coming here has increased dramatically. Presently, every season more than 70,000 visitors come to the park from India and other countries.

The Park attracts a large number of wildlife tourists and is divided into Seven eco-tourism zones:

Corbett Tiger Reserve provides Accommodation and Day Visit facility to visitors. Online booking for Accommodation and Day Visit can be booked in advance through our website: www.thecorbettsafari.com.

Accommodation Booking

Inside Corbett Tiger Reserve zone wise accommodation facilities are available as follows:

Accommodation facilities are available in Dhikala, Sarpdhuli, Gairal, Sultan, Bijrani, Malani, Jhirna, Dhela, Halduparao, Kanda and Lohachaur in the Sonanadi Tourism Zone. All rooms are provided with double beds and with basic amenities. A twelve bed dormitory at Dhikala and an eight bed dormitory at Gairal are also available for the visitors intending to stay inside the forest.

Day Visit Booking

Apart from Night Stay Accommodation facilities in the forest rest houses, Corbett Tiger Reserve also offers Day Visit/Jungle Safari facilities for the visiting tourist. This is a preferred way by many tourists to visit the park who cannot come for longer stays or wish to stay outside the park. The Day Visit/Jungle Safari is done ‘only’ with vehicles registered with the park administration as private vehicles are not allowed inside the park. Bookings for Day Visit/Jungle Safari can be done using this website.

The other mode to visit the picturesque park is via the ‘Ramganga conducted tour’ which takes the tourists to the Dhikala Zone for Day Visit in Canters (capacity of up to 16 adults). Every day two Canter Safari are conducted in morning and two in the evening shifts.

Every tourist season, Dhikala Eco-tourism zone open after monsoon on 15th of November for day visit (via Ramganga Conducted Tours), while Durga Devi and Bijrani Zone opens for day visits from 15th of October onwards. Jhirna and Dhela remain open throughout the year for day visits. The Bijrani eco-tourism zone is famous among the tourists for its beautiful Sal forest and expansive grasslands. Elephant safari is conducted here for the willing visitors. The safaris are a great source of learning for the visitors about Indian Wildlife and conservation efforts.
Along with Bijrani, for the convenience of visitors and streamlining tourism management in Corbett Tiger Reserve, the reserve has been divided into six mutually exclusive tourism zones, each having separate gate for entry.

• Day visit to all zones are strictly regulated as per the scientifically calculated carrying capacity and only a limited number of vehicles are permitted entry during each morning and afternoon.
• Permits for day visits to the Sonanadi Eco-tourism zone can be obtained from the visitor reception center located at Kotdwar.
• Permits for day visits to other zones are available online on our official website.
• Visitors are advised to acquaint themselves with gate timings and arrive well before the designated time to avoid any inconvenience.
• Private vehicles are ‘not’ allowed entry for tourism purposes into the park and visitors use specially designed vehicles, registered with CTR for this purpose. Day visits to the Dhikala Eco-tourism Zone are permitted only through the specially designed Canter buses via Ramganga Conducted Tours.
• Visitors can also enjoy elephant rides at Bijrani and Dhikala eco-tourism Zone, which is available on ‘First come, first get’ basis.
• Canteen facilities are available at Dhikala, Bijrani and Gairal. At other locations, kitchen facilities have been provided.

Accommodation (Dhikala Forest Lodge )

Dhikala forest lodge has 32 rooms in its 06 wings and can be classified as follows:

• 1. New Forest Rest House : No of Rooms – 04
• 2. Old Forest Rest House: No of rooms -05
• 3. Dhikala Annexe: No of Rooms 07
• 4. Hutment: No of rooms 06
• 5. Cabins: No of Rooms 06
• 6. All Range quarters: No of Rooms 04.

More Attractions

Dhikuli: This well known destination in Corbett is situated at the fringes of Patli Dun valley. There is a rest house here which was built hundred of years ago. Kanda ridge forms the backdrop, and from Dhikala, one can enjoy the spectacular natural beauty of the valley.
Jeeps Safari is the most convenient way to travel within Corbett national park, and can be rented for the park trips from Ramnagar.

Treks: Tourists are not allowed to have a walk inside the park, but they are allowed to go for trekking around the park, only with a guide. This place becomes very cold in the winter season, so tourists should make proper arrangements for themselves, if they are traveling in the winter season.

Kalagarh Dam: This dam is located in the south west direction of the Jim Corbett wildlife sanctuary. This is one of the best places for the bird watching tour. Lots of migratory waterfowl comes here in the winters. Some of the historic forest rest house of Jim Corbett National Park are Garjia, Sultan, Gairal, Sarpdhuli, Khinanauli, Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Dhela etc..