Where the high Himalayas gently rolls into the lesser Himalayas, where sal forests assimilate with sun-drenched grasslands, Jim Corbett National Park lies as a refuge for thousands of its animals and birds. If the presence of tigers and leopards gives it a sense of thrill, its beautiful landscapes and Ramganga river add a sense of serenity to the place.
It’s as much a safe haven to scores of endangered species, as a legacy of wildlife conservation in India. As the name suggests, it’s named after Jim Corbett- the famous conservationist from Britain. He dedicated his whole life to the conservation of wildlife, especially, tigers. Thanks to his efforts, conservationism took roots in India.
Though its popularity derives from the majestic Bengal Tigers, Jim Corbett National Park also serves as a hill station for many. I have travelled across this region many a times and have visited the National Park two times. If you are planning a trip, in this article, I’m sharing my experiences and tips on how to plan your safari for the best experience.
{For more such Nationals Parks with Tiger Reserves, check out: Kaziranga National Park ||| Sundarbans National Park}
Jim Corbett National Park: India's first National Park
Jim Corbett National Park holds a special place in the hearts of conservationists and environmentalists for being the first National Park in India and Asia. In 1936, with much effort by British officials, it was set up as Hailey National Park, named after the then governor of the United Provinces- Sir Malcom Hailey. Post- independence, the government of India renamed it as Ramganga National Park in 1954-55. Just a year later, the government again changed the name to Jim Corbett National Park in honour of the deceased conservationist.
In fact, we cannot, should not and must not talk about Jim Corbett National Park without talking about the legendary conservationist- Jim Corbett.
Jim Corbett: The hunter- turned- conservationist:
In the 1930s, man-eaters (Bengal tigers) roamed the forests of Kumaon and claimed hundreds of lives in the fringe villages. Moved by the perils of poor villagers in this region, Jim Corbett put on his hunter’s hat. He killed 33 man-eating tigers/ leopards and few more non-man-eating tigers as well. For his extraordinary bravery, locals used to revere him as a hero and saviour.
Later, he realized that tigers kill people mainly for three reasons- (i) habitat loss, (ii) old age and (injury). Then he advocated that the problem can be tackled by giving tigers a safe refuge. This is what made him the first (and the most famous) wildlife champion of India.
Flora and fauna of Jim Corbett National Park:
Located in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, Jim Corbett National Park spreads over 520 sq. kms. Its landscape is mostly covered with moist deciduous forests (mostly sal, peepal and mango)- 70% and grassland- 10%. At the heart of the National Park, a large area (~80 sq. kms) is covered by an artificial lake formed due to a dam on Ramganga River.
The forest provides safe harbour to about 50 species of mammals, 580 species of birds and 25 species of reptiles. However, its Bengal Tigers, Asian Elephants are the hero-animals of the park. Besides, wildlife enthusiasts also look for Gharials, Leopards, Spotted and Hog Deer, Sloth Bears and Indian Pangolins.
In 1974, it became India’s first Tiger Reserve to initiate Project Tiger– a government program to save the dwindling population of tigers. Now, with 260 tigers, Jim Corbett holds the record for having the densest population of tigers in the world. Much of India’s success at tiger conservation can thank Jim Corbett National Park for its exemplary efforts.
My experiences over the years
My two visits to the Jim Corbett National Park were five years apart- first in 2021 and next, this year (2026). While my first visit was a leisure trip, the second one was for a safari. Here are the briefs of the two trips.
A monsoon sojourn, July 2021:
In July 2021, when second wave of Covid-19 settled down, I and Parina wanted to go somewhere without taking a lot of risk. So, we decided to drive from Delhi to Jim Corbett National Park for a leisure trip. The long drive took us the whole day. Because there were Covid-19 protocols to enter Uttarakhand and at one place, our car had a little problem. Reaching there in the evening, we checked in at a luxury resort, but had hardly anything to do.
Early next morning, it was time for a safari. Since it was Monsoon (July) times, major wildlife zones were closed. So, we took a jeep safari inside Dhela zone, which remains open throughout the year. In lush greenery and running waters everywhere, the forests looked pristine. Though we could spot only some spotted deer and a monkey, the safari was enjoyable.
Next day, we explored the nearby areas, especially Garjiya Temple on the bank of Kosi River. On a little hill in the middle of the river, Goddess Parvati (Garjiya) sits majestically. Locally it’s so popular that there was a long queue to enter the temple extending to the riverbed! Taking a stroll over the small boulders on the river bank under a cloudy sky made our day. Later that day, we drove back to Delhi to reach late evening.
Adventure in spring, April 2026:
This time, I wanted to go on a tiger- sighting safari. So, I chose the right season- just before summer. Since Parina has cervical issues, she cannot ride on bumpy roads. So, I planned for a solo-trip in April. The weather was just right- neither too cold, nor too warm. I took a train to Ramnagar and from there, a local bus to reach Jim Corbett National Park area.
This time, I had booked a safari online to enter from Dhikala gate, which is reported to be the best zone for tiger sighting. I stayed in a homestay nearby, across Kosi River. Early next morning, the caretaker dropped me at Dhikala gate. As per plan, the safari started at 6 AM.
Except for a few deer and two domesticated elephants, I saw not many major wildlife. However, the landscape was wonderful- driving through dense forests and riverbeds along the way. At one point in the jungle, all the safari vehicles stopped and waited for a tiger, reported to be wandering in that area. But alas, there was no tiger to be seen!
Halfway through the safari, they stopped over at a resting area. From that midway point, we got a great view of the Ramganga reservoir (or, Corbett lake). On a lucky day, visitors sight major animals like elephants and tigers. But I wasn’t that lucky! Though I was a little disappointed not to see a tiger, the overall safari experience was good.
Jim Corbett National Park: How to plan your safari
Though I haven’t been lucky enough to see a tiger, I do know how to plan your safari to have the best experience. And sighting a tiger is of course, purely a matter of luck. Let me share with you a step by step method to plan a perfect safari in Jim Corbett National Park.
{For more such tips on national parks/ sanctuaries, check out: Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary}
Step-1: Get the timing right:
For the best safari experience at Jim Corbett National Park, getting your timing right is paramount. Though some of the gates remain open throughout the year, spring- summer season is the best for safari. For animal sighting (tigers and elephants), May- June are the best months. Because in dry season, dense jungle foliage dries up and visibility becomes significantly better. Besides, remaining few water holes drive animals there making them convenient places to watch them.
Besides, as per data, mornings are significantly better than afternoons/ evenings for animal sighting.
However, you are visiting Jim Corbett National Park for leisure or bird watching, winter months (Nov- Feb) are best times. Monsoon months (Jul- Sept) are great for enjoying lush green rain-soaked landscapes. But these are not good times for animal sighting.
Step-2: Choose your zone/ gate:
In order to have the best safari experience, the first and foremost thing is to choose the zone properly. So, here’s a brief of the various zones. The most popular ones are Dhikala, Bijrani, Dhela and Jhirna.
- Dhikala zone: Undoubtedly, the most popular zone because of high density of wildlife, especially tigers. Ramganga river flows within this zone. However, this zone is open only from mid- November to mid- June. For safari here, one has to book for Dhangarhi entry gate. Here, jeep safari is allowed only for guests staying at the forest guesthouse. For other visitors, only open bus safari is available.
- Bijrani zone: Its dense sal forests and open grassland look beautiful. Wildlife concentration here is only second to the Dhikala zone. This zone opens in mid- October and closes mid- June. To have safari here, one has to book for Amdanda gate.
- Dhela zone: Popular for rich bio-diversity, especially, bird species, this zone remains open throughout the year. The entry gate is known by the same name- Dhela gate.
- Jhirna zone: Adjacent to Dhela zone, this zone is good for sighting of deer, sloth bear and elephants. Besides, like Dhela zone, it remains open throughout the year. For safari, the one has to book Dhela gate only.
Not-so-popular zones:
- Garjiya zone: A relatively new zone along Kosi River. Though this zone is open throughout the year, during July- August, it may close due to heavy rains.
- Other zones like Pakhro zone, Durga Devi zone and Sunanadi zone are not so popular. Hence, visitors who want a crowd- free experience, may choose this zone. Durga Devi zone is especially popular among bird-watchers.
- Plus, there’s one buffer zone: Pawalgarh zone/ Sitabani forest.
Step-3: Book your safari:
Though there are 9 entry gates, only 5 are open for safari. One can enter only from the gate one has booked a safari from. As per one’s requirement/ season/ choice of vehicle, one can choose a zone. In order to book a safari, check out their official page: Corbett-Safari-Booking.
Tips for booking:
- Use only the official booking page (mentioned above) only. Because lots of booking scams happen through private sites.
- Though one can book up to 45 days in advance, I would suggest, book as quickly as possible. Otherwise, you may not get your preferred entry gate/ zone. Especially, Dhikala and Bijrani gates are in high demand.
- If you are a foreigner, you can book up to 90 days in advance.
- Every Monday, 10 AM, they announce any new slots available.
- Jeep safari is available at all gates. But canter (open bus) safari is available only at Dhikala gate. Note that jeep safari at Dhikala is available only for visitors staying at the Forest Guesthouses inside the zone.
- Government ID card is mandatory for all visitors.
- There are morning and afternoon safaris available. For better chances of animal sighting, choose early morning safaris.
Step-4: Get your accommodation right:
Around Jim Corbett National Park, there are plenty of resorts, guesthouses and budget- friendly hotels. However, it’s a good idea to book a Forest Rest House. Because it includes automatically, two jeep safaris as a package. To book, check out their official page: Corbett-Stays-Booking.
If you are not lucky to get a booking there, here are a few good suggestions for budget accommodation:
- Near Dhikala: Magpie Corbett ||| HR Dukes Den ||| Tribhav Corbett Bliss ||| La Savanna Resort.
- Near Bijrani (very near to Ramnagar): Heartwood City ||| Hidden Leaf Homestay ||| KMVN Tourist Rest House ||| Earavat Resort.
- Near Dhela/ Jhirna: Corbett Treat Resort ||| Treebo Corbett Hideout ||| Vanasthali Jungle Resort ||| Wild Planet Corbett ||| Wildline Gold Resort.
Step-5: Turn up at the entry gate:
One must keep in mind that on the day of safari, one must arrive at the entry gate 30 minutes prior to the start time. They don’t wait for anyone.
Do’s and don’ts for safari:
- Carry the same government ID by which the booking is done; they will ask for it at the entry gate.
- Wear earthy colours like brown, green or grey.
- Maintain pin-drop silence inside the forest.
- Bring heavy warm clothes in winters and light woolens for spring- summer mornings.
- To have a good animal- watching experience, get your own binoculars or rent one at the entry gate.
- Don’t try to step out of the vehicle for photography or otherwise. A small mistake can be fatal.
- Avoid strong perfumes; animals have a strong sense of smell.
- Don’t feed the wild animals, not at all. This can transfer diseases from humans to animals. For further reading on animal welfare in tourism, check out: Animals in Tourism.
- For more such responsible tourism practices, read: 12 Ways of Responsible Travel.
Jim Corbett National Park: Beyond the safari
Of course, a National Park would always be about safaris. However, Jim Corbett National Park has to offer a few more interesting places to visit and things to do. As I mentioned somewhere above, lots of people, especially from Delhi and nearby cities visit Jim Corbett as a hill station. I know some of my friends who visit there almost everywhere and have never done a safari. The park’s natural beauty is so appealing that visitors go there to spend long weekends.
If you are there for more than a day, here are a few places to visit.
- Corbett Museum (Kaladhungi): At about 30 kms from Ramnagar, Corbett Museum houses original artefacts belonging to the legendary conservationist.
- Corbett Falls (Nayagaon): A 60-ft high waterfall is not only a lovely sight, but also a nice hiking opportunity in lush green forests.
- Hanuman Dham: A lovely little Hindu temple near Ramnagar.
- Garjiya Devi Temple: A temple on a hillock in an island within Kosi River.
- Kosi river rafting: During monsoon and post- monsoon period, one can go for grade- II & III rapids on Kosi river. If you are interested, there are two starting points: Mohan (longer) and Garjiya suspension bridge (shorter). A popular booking agency is Rafting Wala Bhaiya in Ramnagar (actually there are many in Ramnagar).
Charm of staying at a homestay in a village:
Last but not the least, done well, your choice of accommodation can be a great experience itself.
Yes, staying in a Forest Rest House is convenient for safari. And one would like to stay in a resort, if comfort and leisure are in mind. However, staying in a small homestay in a village nearby has a charm of its own. On my second trip, I chose to stay at Chukam Homestay- a cute homestay in Chukam village about 2 kms away from Dhangarhi gate. To reach there, I had to walk over two temporary bridges over Kosi River. On the other side, in the foothills of a hill, this homestay was just on the bank of the river. I loved its location as much as walking around and talking to the villagers.
The village experience:
In the evening, the caretaker took me on a walk around the village. I met some villagers as they smoked their hookahs. A middle-aged person showed me videos of tigers attacking villagers in and around their village. He pointed towards a spot just 100 meters from his house, where a tiger had taken away a child a few years ago. In this village, and all villages in the area, people have these kind of stories to tell.
Man- Tiger confrontation is quite common now-a-days. As humans enter tiger’s natural habitat for building houses and collect minor forest produce for their livelihoods, tigers are getting increasingly familiar with humans. First they hunt their domestic animals, and then humans themselves. Indeed, this is a sad state of affairs. However, slowly and gradually, the conservation efforts of the government are helping reduce this conflict between wild animals and human beings.
Travel Tips/ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to reach Jim Corbett National Park:
- To visit Jim Corbett National Park, Ramnagar is the nearest town, and the base location.
- Flight: To reach by flight, the nearest airport is at Pantnagar, 80 kms away. However, it receives limited flights. So, it’s good to fly to New Delhi and take a train from there to Ramnagar.
- Train: Ramnagar is the nearest railway station. Two direct trains- Corbett Park Link Express and Ranikhet Express, run daily from Delhi to Ramnagar.
- Road: From Delhi, it’s a 6 hours’ drive. Else, one may take a state transport bus from Delhi to Ramnagar. From Ramnagar, one has to take a local jeep/ bus to your place of accommodation.
Where/ what to eat in Jim Corbett National Park area:
- For traditional Kumaoni food: Bhangeera (Sanjha Chulha) ||| Wanderers Terrace & Cafe.
- Modern food/ cafes: The Forestt Co. ||| The Chocolate Room ||| The Blu Doors Cafe ||| Village Vatika.
Camera and photography:
If you are a wildlife photographer, of course, you would have your DSLR with you. But other visitors, these days, depend on their mobile phones for photography. One should know that Supreme Court has issued an order banning mobile phones inside National Parks in India. And Jim Corbett National Park takes this seriously, as I found out.
So, if you want to take pictures inside the National Park, you have two choices. Either bring your own DSLR or rent (for Rs. 800) one at the entry gate, as I did.
Concluding Thoughts
Witnessing wildlife in their natural habitat is a great joy. It’s indeed enthralling to watch a predator or a majestic animal go about its routine in a jungle. That’s why when one visits National Parks, one expects to see a tiger or an elephant or a rhino. And not seeing one can lead to major disappointment. It’s clearly understandable. It’s like visiting Agra and not being able to see Taj Mahal!
However, this expectation kills the joy of visiting a jungle itself. To be honest, it has happened with me several times. Witnessing a large animal is always a matter of chance. But controlling your own expectation is not that difficult, if you are aware. This is what I’m trying to do these days.
While visiting National Parks, I’m deliberately talking to myself- ‘enjoy the forest trail, the landscape and the experience itself’, rather than trying to see that one big thing.
Jim Corbett National Park is one of the most endowed forests in the country- both for wildlife and landscapes. So, along with your eyes and ears, keep your heart and soul open too. You will have a great time.
Jayvanti Einjen
Very nice information good and enjoyable trip God bless you
stampedmoments
Thank you 🙂