Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest and first national park in India. It was established in 1936 to protect the often extinct Bengal tigers. Jim Corbett National Park is quite popular for its abundance of tigers and richness of wildlife. It is located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. It is named after the British hunter Jim Corbett who was instrumental in its establishment. It has been a tourist attraction since the beginning due to the abundance of tigers found in it. Its area is spread over 521 square kilometers. If you are a wild lover then there is no better option for you than this. Due to its proximity to the hills of kumaon , its beauty increases further. You can enjoy jeep safari in the dense forests to see the animals and their lifestyle up close. This place is no less than a paradise for wildlife lovers.
There are 7 major zones for Jeep and canter safari
DHIKALA ZONE
Dhikala zone is one of the largest zone in Jim Corbett. Dhikala is the finest and greatest safari zone in Jim Corbett National Park, and the entrance to this safari zone is called Dhangadi gate. This zone is a faultless spot, where tourists can freely unwind their heart, mind, body and soul to nature. This zone is treasure of fauna and flora. This zone landscape, which inclides vast grassland known as charus, thick Sal tree forest and numerous Rāmgangā River channels, provides an enchanting view of nature. This zone is one of the most popular zone for wildlife lovers for night’s stay and best zone for tiger sightings, Therefore it is the first choice of tourists. Along with Tiger, you can see wild elephant, spotted deer, wild boars , , crocodiles, wild pigs, hog deer and barking deer here. The prime attraction among the vividly rich wildlife in Dhikala Zone is the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Asiatic elephants.
Dhikala Entry Gate- Dhangadi Gate
Open period Safari Tour- 15th Nov to 15th June
DHIKALA CANTER SAFARI
Canter Safari is also conducted by the Corbett officials inside the Dhikala Zone for the tourists whor are staying outside the zone and want to explore the rich and wild life of this zone. The canter is 16 seater open bus.
NOTE- Only four canters are allowed to go inside the Dhikala Zone in a single time and 16 tourists can seat into one canter.
| CANTER SAFARI TIMINGS | SUMMER | WINTER |
|---|---|---|
| Morning Time | 5:30 AM TO 10:30 AM | 06:00 AM TO 11:30 AM |
| Evening Time | 12:30 PM TO 05:30 PM | 12:00 PM TO 5:30 PM |
DHIKALA FOREST GUEST HOUSE
The Dhikala forest lodge situated within the Dhikala forest zone is famous among the wildlife enthusiasts. It is run by the forest department under Corbett National Park and is strategically located in the core of the Dhikala forest zone. The best time to visit Jim Corbett National Park and stay in the Dhikala forest lodge is between November to June. The Dhikala forest lodge is the only guest accommodation in the national park that has electricity in the rooms and hence is ideal for anyone visiting with their family. The lodge is protected by solar fences that restricts the entry of wild animals within the premises.
BIJRANI ZONE
Bijrani Zone also one of the best zone in Jim Corbett National Park. It is the best zone after Dhikala to spot the royal Bengal Tiger. This zone is enriched with a huge number of floral and faunal species. Along with big cats like Bengal Tiger and leopards, several types of animals like wild elephants, black beers as well as different types of deers antelpoes etc. There are around 600 species of resident and migratory birds are seen here. Aamdanda gate is the entrance of Bijrani zone, which is located at the distance of around 1 km from the Ramnagar city. There is a buffer zone of 5 km after entering the gate, which you have to cross to get into the core zone.
Bijrani entry gate- Aamdanda
Open period Safai tour- 15th oct- 30 June
DURGA DEVI ZONE
Durga Devi Zone is situated on the hills and thus gives a very beautiful view of nature. This zone is 28 km far away from Ramanagr city. Like other areas of Corbett Park, you get to see mant types of vegetation, grass and wild animals here. The main flora here includes Shisham , Sisoo, Dhak, and Khair which is found in very large scale. Other vegetations of the zone such as Chir Pine, Chir Choti, Gajar Sot, Banj Oak, Kanju, Jamun, Amla etc are seen growing in the most of the park. The wild animal of the zone are Royal Bengal Tiger, Wild Boar, Wild Asian Elephant, Barking Deer , Spotted Deer, Leopard etc. It has greater number of wild elephants than other zones of Corbett park.
Entry Gate- Durga Devi Gate
Open period of safari tour- 15th Oct- 15th June
JHIRNA ZONE
Jhirna zone is located southern edge of the Jim National Corbett Park. Jhirna offers some exclusive tiger, leopard, fox, bear, deer sighting along with the beautiful spectacular. Jhirna zone has a lot of numerous water stream which nourishes the wildlife and adding the natural ambiance of the zone. It offers night stay for wild life lovers in its forest rest house located inside the zone. The Jhirna forest house has a big compound where day safari visitos too can stay for a while and refreshed befoe returning back to exit gate.
Jhirna entry gate- Same as Dhela
Open period of safari tour- 12 Months
GARJIYA ZONE
Garjia zone is new safari zone being added which is now available of wild life lovers for enjoying safari. This zone is famous for different type of flowers and faunal species. This zone is popular for its wonderful and it is very cool and calm place. There are 600 species of resident and migratory birds, which makes it just right of birdwatching tour too. After Dhikala, Garjiya zone offers best safari possibility in Jim Corbett National Park. Garjiya zone is approximately 12 km from Ramnagar City.
Garjiya enty gate- Garjiya Gate
Open period of safari tour- 12 Months
PHATO ECO TOURISM ZONE
Phato zone was inaugurated by the Prime Minister , Shri Nrendra Modi and Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami on 2nd December 2022. Its area is spread over 516 hectares, in which various types of wildlife such as Royal Bengal Tiger, Deer, Elephant and various types of birds to seen. The phato zone is considered more important for jeep safari dut to the extremely dense forest.
Entry Gate- Phato Gate
Open period of safari tour- 12 months
DHELA ZONE
Dhela zone is the sixth ecotourism zone of Jim Corbett, which is spread over 1173 hectares.This zone is at a distance of 20 kms from Ramnagar city. Dhela zone is one such zone in the history of Jim Corbett where the seven Tigers were seen together. Dhela zone is extremely rich in flora and fauna. Many types of vegetation such as Sal, Rohini, Haldu, Bahera, Kusum mixed forests are found here. If we talk about animals, then Asian elephant, leopard, bear, king cobra etc are seen here. The Dhela zone is particulary known for bird diversity.
Dhela entry gate- Dhela Gate
Open period of safari tour—12 Months
