Explore Jim Corbett

Jungle safari in Jim Corbett is one of the best wildlife experience you can add to your bucket list while on an Uttarakhand tour. Jim Corbett is one of the India’s oldest Tiger reserve located in the district of Nainital close to Ramnagar town. It has been named after the British hunter and naturalist Edward James Corbett.

Jim Corbett receives a very good foot fall of tourists everyday for wildlife safaris. Apart from wildlife interest, tourists come here to spend some days in the tranquility of nature’s surroundings. There are many budget to luxury resorts available here including some situated at the bank of Kosi river and some inside the buffer zones as well.

Zones of Jim Corbett National Park

Ecotourism is allowed only in designated zones inside the park. Many of the core zones remain closed during monsoon season due to heavy rainfall. Ramnagar is the closest city, and we need to hire gypsy vehicles (jeeps) for a safari inside the forest.`

Bijrani Zone

It is the closest entry from Ramnagar. As we move past the gate, soon noise from the city fades away. Numerous birds you can spot on the way to the forest rest house, an erstwhile hunting complex now converted to accommodate visitors.

(Remains open from 15th October to 30th June every year.)

Dhikala Zone

Arguably one of the most beautiful parts of the forests, entry from gate to forest rest house takes about an hour or so which passes through dense Sal forests. As we wait patiently in our jeep with only the sound of the wind blowing or an occasional rustling of leaves, our mind becomes calm and embraces silence.

Tallgrass sways gently in the wind and reveals spotted deer or endangered Hog deer foraging for food. It makes us realize the full fast city life we are leading and what nature has to offer. On a late evening, we were lucky to witness a herd of elephants cross the river near Sambhar road along with their little ones.

We watched them engage in a mock fight, smaller elephants pampered by others and big tuskers scattered here and there.

(Open from 15th November to 14th June every year.)

Durgadevi Zone

The Hilly zone of Durgadevi is a paradise for bird watchers. Varying altitudes, along with dense tree cover, provides an excellent opportunity to spot birds. Safari vehicles take you a little further after Domunda bridge, where we can spot the famous Mahseer fish. Plan to book one or two safaris in this zone.

(Open from 15th November to 14th June every year.)

Jhirna Zone

Although this zone is open throughout the year, weather and other conditions might make the forest department to close the entry, especially during monsoons.

(It remains open through out the year.)

Garjia Safari Zone

Tourist visiting Corbett National Park will not have to be disappointed due to the safari seat not available or booking being full. In view of the increasing trend of tourists, the new Ringora Zone or Garjia safari zone in Corbett now started for safari from November. Girija is new safari zone being added which is now available for tourists for enjoying safari. So far tourism safari zone in Corbett National Park

(It is open for tourists from 15th October to 30th June every year)

Dhela Safari Zone : Dhela is a new eco tourism zone in Corbett National Park included in tiger reserve zone in November 2014. This is the only area in the reserve's buffer zone open to tourists in CTR. The zone is retaining the attention of large number of tourist because of its wealthy flora and fauna, open throughout the year, located at an approximate distance of 13 Km from Ramnagar City.

(It remains open through out the year.)

Sitabani Buffer Zone : Sitabani Zone doesn't fall under the Corbett Tiger Reserve area. If you are fond of serene ambiance of the natural beauty, must visit Sitabani area.

(It remains open through out the year.)

Types of safari in Jim Corbett

Jeep safari – Jeep or gypsy is a 4X4 vehicle which is open from all sides to give you an adventurous experience of safari.

Canter safari – Canter is a 16 seater mini bus which is open from all sides but covered from the top. Canter safari is only permitted inside the Dhikala zone

Best time to visit Corbett National Park

November to May is the ideal time to visit the Corbett national park. However, March to June is the peak time due to summer vacation in some parts of India. The park remains open for visitors from mid October to June end and remains closed for rest of the period due to rainy season. However, Jhirna and Dhela zones are open throughout the year.

Always keep in mind that Jim Corbett jeep safari booking for rainy season is provisional and can be cancelled without prior notice.

How to make booking of jungle safari in Jim Corbett and the cost of safari

One has to make an advance reservation at-least 20 to 30 days before for booking of jeep or canter safari. Similarly, during festival times or long weekends one should plan 30 to 45 days before to avoid non-availability of permits.

Price of the jeep safari is INR 5000 Per jeep. for up to 6 adults and 2 children (below 12 years) in one jeep.

Canter safari price is INR 1800 Per person.

Safari timings and duration

During summer time, jeep safari starts at 6:00 AM and 2:30 PM in the afternoon. During winter time, jeep safari starts at 7:00 AM and 1:30 PM in the afternoon.

Similarly, canter safari starts at 6:00 AM in the morning and 1:00 PM in the afternoon during summer period. Winter timing for canter safari is 7:00 AM and 11:30 AM respectively for morning/afternoon shifts.

Jeep safari duration is approximately 3 to 3.5 hours and canter safari’s duration is 4 to 4.5 hours.

Places to See Around Corbett National Park

Dhikala Tourism Zone

Dhikala is a well known tourist destination in Jim Corbett National Park. Situated at the border of the extensive Patil Dun valley from where the Ramganga flows in numerous channels. Literally Dhikala is situated approximately at a distance of 35 km from Dhangarhi Gate, promising more real experience of the wild.

Garjia Temple

Garjia Devi Temple is situated at an approximate distance of 14 km from Ramnagar city on the way to Ranikhet. The temple is actually a huge rock that is placed amidst river Kosi, which has been named as Garjia Devi after the deity. Devotees reach temple after climbing several flights of stairs.

Sitabani Forest Reserve

Located at an approximate distance of 10 km from Ramnagar, Sitabani is a hard forest area but not the part of Corbett Tiger Reserve. Sitabani is heaven for bird watchers as the place is only spot where many species of feathered creatures beautify the environs of area. Apart from, the reserve provides an adobe to a good number of wildlife including barking deer, tigers, leopard, wild boars, elephant and king cobra.

Corbett Water Fall

Situated at an approximate distance of 25 km from Ramnagar City by surface. The waterfall is snuggled amidst the green foliage and cascades down into a small lagoon like pool.

Dhangarhi Museum

Dhangarhi gate is situated 20 km from Ramnagar railway station. The museum has been set up at the main entry gate of the park is like an introduction to Jim Corbett National Park. The museum depicts the maximum information about the land topography and wildlife species residing the park.

Kosi River

The River Kosi flows approximate to the Corbett National Park and forms the eastern boundary of the Park. Though the river does not enter the National Park boundary but wild animals from Corbett come to the river banks for drinking water especially during pinch periods. The river is inhabited by Masheer and attracts many species of migratory birds too.