Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park is one of the oldest national parks in India and was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park. This park was created to protect the Bengal tiger. It is located in Nainital district of Uttarakhand and was named by Jim Corbett who played a key role in the establishment of this park. This park was the first National Park in India established to protect the Bengal Tigers and was named as Project Tiger Reserve. It is also being honoured as the place where Project Tiger was first launched in 1973.

Today after addition of areas into the originally declared National Park, the total area of Tiger Reserve extends 1288.31 sq. km spreading over three districts of Uttarakhand viz., Pauri, Nainital and Almora. Corbett National Park covers an area of 521 sq. km and together with the neighbouring Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and Reserve Forest areas, forms the Corbett Tiger Reserve.

Corbett and its adjoining area is a home to more than 650 species of residents and migratory birds. The most famous of Corbett's wild residents are the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Asiatic Elephant. In addition the park also score a good number of Leopards, Barking Deer, Sambhar Deer, Hog Deer and Chital, Sloth and Himalayan Black Bears, Indian Grey Mongoose, Otters, Yellow-Throated Martens, Himalayan Goral, Indian Pangolins, Languur and Rhesus Macaques.

The park is situated in the Shiwalik Himalayas and the Terai. It contains 488 different species of plants and a diverse variety of fauna. Corbett landscape is enriched with variety of vegetation. Sal, Sheesham, Khair, Dhak, Bael, Ber are the common trees inside the park. Some other trees you can see around the park are Chir Pine Tree, Semal, Amaltas, Madaar, Teak, Bottlebrush etc. Common grasses scattered inside the park are Kasni, Bail, Narkul, Spear Grass, Khus-Khus and Tiger Grass. 

 

Corbett Safari Zone

Jim Corbett National Park has total five zones for the tourists to enter and roam around. These are the selected areas where tourists can be part of the wildlife safaris and watch wildlife with bare eyes at proximity. To enjoy the wildlife safaris in Jim Corbett Zones, one need to take permit and must take a naturalist guide provided by the park authority.

Dhikala Safari Zone: Dhikala is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Corbett. It is located at the edge of the broad Patli Dun valley through which the Ramganga flows in numerous channels. Dhikala offers an awesome uninterrupted panoramic view of the valley, with the Kanda ridge in the backdrop. This sight appears all the more imposing from the watchtower near Dhikala The tourist complex overlooks Dhikala chaur (one of the largest remaining grasslands of the park) and Phulai chaur. A drive through the numerous trails through chaurs is rewarded with sightings of Tigers, Wild Elephants, Chital, Hog Dear and numerous grassland bird species and raptors. The surrounding forest safari routes boast of a mix of grassland, water body and dense forest making it the best place in Corbett for animal sightings. Visiting Dhikala is a true jungle experience. Areas to visit in this Safari Zone are Grassland, Sambhar Road, Kamar Patta Road etc.

Tiger sightings are highest in Sambhar Road and Grassland.

Dhikala Zone is open from 15th November to 15th June every year

Winter Safari Timings (Dhikala Safari Zone)
Entry		Exit
Morning Safari	0700 hrs	Morning Safari	1000 hrs
Evening Safari	1400 hrs	Evening Safari	1730 hrs
Summer Safari Timings (Dhikala Safari Zone)
Entry		Exit
Morning Safari	0700 hrs	Morning Safari	1000 hrs
Evening Safari	1400 hrs	Evening Safari	1730 hrs

 

Bijrani Safari Zone: Bijrani zone, recommended for a day tourist, offers the natural splendour keeping the tourists overwhelmed with pleasing sight. Diversified flora and fauna in Bijrani zone provide the picturesque view mesmerize the tourists Tigers can be best viewed here in the Jeep Safari. Elephant safari in Bijrani is popular for bird watching. Bijrani zone consists of buffer, tourism and core area and safari is not allowed in the core area for the safety of tourists. 1Km away from Ramnagar, Bijrani zone is reached after passing 5Km of buffer zone from the entry gate Amadanda.
Extending from dense Sal forest, vast grasslands, numerous species of trees, shrubs and herbs; the flora in Bijrani enchant the tourists. Tiger can be spotted easily in the Bijrani Zone; other mammals include Elephants, Chitals, Deer, Monkeys and many others. Reptiles like Cobra, Krait reside on the shrubs and grasslands. The grasslands are home to many grassland birds and the dense forest and shrubs house numerous birds.
Tourists need to take prior permission from the directorate of Jim Corbett National Park before entering Bijrani zone; permission is on first come first basis. Jeep Safari and Elephant Safari are the attractions of this zone rewarding the tourists with all that they expects from Jim Corbett. Both Jeep and Elephant Safari for morning shift can be booked in advance for which all the details of all the members in Safari should be provided with photo id and documents.

Bijrani zone is open from 30th October to 30th June every year.

Winter Safari Timings (Bijrani Safari Zone)
Entry		Exit
Morning Safari	0700 hrs	Morning Safari	1000 hrs
Evening Safari	1400 hrs	Evening Safari	1730 hrs
Summer Safari Timings (Bijrani Safari Zone)
Entry		Exit
Morning Safari	0700 hrs	Morning Safari	1000 hrs
Evening Safari	1400 hrs	Evening Safari	1730 hrs

 

Jhirna Safari Zone: Among all the zones, the best and most comfortable for tourists is Jhirna Safari Zone. Lying at a distance of 16km from Ramnagar, Jhirna Zone is the most comfortable safari zone that opens throughout the year. The zone is mainly noted for its bamboo vegetation and wonderful bird watching experiences.  Jhirna zone lies in the southern area of Corbett. Every year huge number of visitors visits Jhirna Zone to witness the amazing wildlife beauty of the park. Jhirna Zone is endowed with relatively more natural beauty.

Please note that Tourists need to take prior permission from the directorate of Jim Corbett National Park before entering Jhirna Safari zone. It is a normal procedure which includes verification of your identity and address. The process doesn’t take much time and soon you get to enter the park.

Winter Safari Timings (Jhirna Safari Zone)
Entry		Exit
Morning Safari	0700 hrs	Morning Safari	1000 hrs
Evening Safari	1400 hrs	Evening Safari	1730 hrs
Summer Safari Timings (Jhirna Safari Zone)
Entry		Exit
Morning Safari	0700 hrs	Morning Safari	1000 hrs
Evening Safari	1400 hrs	Evening Safari	1730 hrs

Durga Devi Safari Zone: Durga Devi zone, on the bank of Ramganga River is popular for housing the breeding spot of endangered masher fish and the beauty it treasures in hilly terrain of Jim Corbett National Park. Soothing climate in the forest and scary experience of elephant safari are the highlights of Durga Devi zone. Situated 28Km from Ramnagar, Durga Devi zone offers the tourists opportunities of seeing varied species of fishes in Ramganga. Bird watching is the best experience in elephant safari in Durga Devi and most scary experience at the same time as tourists encounter tigers at proximity. Elephant safari in Durga Devi takes the tourists where the jeep cannot take them. Travelling through the river and streams, gorges and deep stretches is fun and thrill at the same time. Black chinned Yuhina, Slaty Blue Fly Catcher, Grey Headed Fishing Eagle, Maroon Orile, Crested Laughing Thrush, Bar Tailed Tree Creeper, Forktail, Long Tailed Broadbill are the birds mostly seen in Durga Devi Zone. Also called Loha Chaur forest area, herds of elephants on the Chaur (grasslands) are other major attractions. Numerous species of Mammals and Reptiles are found in Durga Devi Zone. Jeep safari and elephant safari can be booked in advance for the morning safari in Durga Devi Zone.

Day Safari is on first come first basis and permission needs to be taken from the directorate of Jim Corbett National Park to enter Durga Devi Zone.

Durga Devi Zone remains open from 15th October to 30th June every year.

Winter Safari Timings (Durga Devi Safari Zone)
Entry		Exit
Morning Safari	0700 hrs	Morning Safari	1000 hrs
Evening Safari	1400 hrs	Evening Safari	1730 hrs
Summer Safari Timings (Durga Devi Safari Zone)
Entry		Exit
Morning Safari	0700 hrs	Morning Safari	1000 hrs
Evening Safari	1400 hrs	Evening Safari	1730 hrs

 

Adventure Activities

Adventure activities besides wildlife safari, bird watching and fishing and angling in Jim Corbett is in Kosi River just outside of the national park. Kosi River offers rafting, bridge slithering and river crossing adventures for the tourists to add fun to the wildlife packages.

Rafting on Kosi River: River Rafting in Kosi is added fun for the adventure lovers though river Ganga offers great fun of white water rafting in Kaudiyala of Uttarakhand State. Kosi River offers Grade II and Grade III rapids and monsoon season is most favourable rafting season for the adventure seekers in Jim Corbett National Park Area.

Bridge Slithering on Kosi River: Bridge Slithering adventure in Kosi River is jumping from a Jhuula (suspension) bridge in Kosi River tied on a rope, slithering down for around 6 feet and finally jumping into the river where a Kayak is waiting for the adventurer to take back. Bridge slithering is done nearby the Garjia Temple and is widely enjoyed by the tourists. Expert instructor thoroughly advice the adventurer before slithering from the bridge.

River Crossing on Kosi River: River crossing is an adventure of crossing the Kosi River through a rope. Cautiously walking on the rope to cross the huge perennial river Kosi is fun and challenge that most of the tourists love to enjoy. Expert supervisors instruct the adventurer before river crossing activity.

How to Reach Corbett National Park

Evening and Overnight trains connects Delhi to Ramnagar Station, moreover trains are available from Varanasi via Lucknow to Ramnagar. Travellers can books jeeps/gypsis at Ramnagar Station to travel to Resorts in Corbett, inside the Corbett National Park and Dhikala Forest Lodge. Corbett National Park is connected by road services from the major cities too. One can reach by regular bus services from Jaipur, Agra, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar and Delhi.

Rules & Regulations

• All reservations inside the tiger reserve are provisional and can be changed or cancelled without prior information. The decision of director Corbett Tiger Reserve will be final in the matter.
• Carrying of firearms of any kind is not permitted within the Tiger Reserve.
• No pets can be taken inside the Tiger Reserve.
• Walking or trekking is strictly prohibited.
• Driving inside the Tiger Reserve after sunset is prohibited.
• Cooking is not allowed within the National Park and at Dhikala and Bijrani tourist complexes. In other rest houses, visitors can cook within the provided space.
• Visitors are required to carry a litter bag while entering the Tiger Reserve and bring back their non-biodegradable litter (tin cans, plastic, glass bottles, metal foils etc.) outside the Reserve. Throwing litter inside the Tiger Reserve other than in garbage bins will invite severe penalties.
• Official registered guide is compulsory on all excursions.
• Smoking outside residential complexes/rest houses and lighting of any kind of fire is strictly prohibited.
• Playing of transistors and tape recorders within the Tiger Reserve is strictly prohibited.
• Visitors are prohibited from taking vehicles off the designated routes thereby causing damage to plant or animal life or their habitat.
• Blowing of horns and driving above the speed limit is strictly prohibited within the Tiger Reserve.
• Entry into the restricted zone by the visitors is prohibited.
• Shouting, teasing or chasing animals or attempts to feed them are prohibited and will invite severe penalties.
• Visitors are advised to occupy the accommodation as reserved on the first day itself or send prior intimation to hold the accommodation. Otherwise, the reservation will be treated as cancelled.
• Maximum two adults and two children (below 12 years) per room are allowed to stay in the tourism zone. One extra bed can be provided on payment of prescribed charges.
• Visitors are compulsorily required to obtain a clearance certificate before leaving their place of residence within the Tiger Reserve.
• Visitors are advised to wear clothes of colours which merge with the natural surroundings (khaki, olive green, other dull colours).
• Visitors are required to switch off lights, fans and water taps when not in use and park their vehicles at appropriate parking place.
• Visitors have to obtain entry permits at the reception. Entry timings are regulated in such a manner that visitors must reach their place of stay before prescribed time. Entry within the National Park after sunset is strictly prohibited.
• Day visit to Khikala Tourism Zone is not permitted except in conducted tours organized by Corbett Tiger Reserve.
• Entry of private buses in Bijrani Tourism Zone is prohibited.
• Permit would be issued for a maximum of three days only.
• Entry into the Tiger Reserve with or without a pass is on the own risk of the visitor. The authorities shall not be responsible in any way for damages caused if any.
• Permit is not transferable. Once permit is issued, the amount is not refundable.
• Non vegetarian food is prohibited inside Tiger Reserve.
• Wildlife warden-in-charge of the sanctuary or the park may, for good and sufficient reasons to be recorded in writing, cancel the permit.

Note

• No fee will be charged for children below 5 years of age.
• For Indian students aged between 5-18 years, 1/4th of entry fee, conducted Bus trip, elephant ride, dormitory and museum charges will be charged on the production of identity card.
• Senior citizens above 60 years will be entitled for 50% rebate on the above as well as room rent.
• For Indian students of central and state govt. recognized schools/institutes and above 18 years of age, 50% of prescribed charges will be lived.
• For physically handicapped person having more than 40% disability, a rebate of 50% will be given on park entry fee, conduct bus trip, elephant safari, dormitory fee and museum fee on the production of certificate.
• Citizens of SAARC countries will be charged at the same rates as prescribed for Indian citizens.
• Taxes if any shall be charged separately.
• Reservation of Annexe is done by Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. All other reservations can be made from Central Information and Reservation Centre, Ramnagar.