Travel-India

Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest National Park in India.

Established by the British in 1936, Jim Corbett National park was initially named Hailey National Park which post-independence was renamed Ramnagar National Park after the closest town Ramnagar. Then in 1955 it was renamed again, this time as Jim Corbett National Park, after the famous hunter turned photographer and conservationist Edwards James Corbett, popularly known as Jim Corbett, honouring him for his contribution in the establishment of this world famous National Park.

Jim Corbett National Park was set up as a conservation area for wildlife. Located in the foothills of the sub-Himalayan belt, Jim Corbett National Park is rich not only in scenic beauty but also in flora and fauna.

Jim Corbett National Park is one of the popular tourist destinations in Uttarakhand. Located in Nainital district Jim Corbett National Park is well placed and well connected by motorable roads from Delhi and Nainital.

Corbett National Park offers the visitors a choice between night stay at one of the forest rest houses and a day visit or jungle safari.

Flora and Fauna at Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park is spread across a wide area of 520 sqkm and together with the neighbouring Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and Reserve Forest areas forms the Corbett tiger Reserve spanning about 1288 sqkm.

Jim Corbett National Park is home to many species of plants, about 549 species of birds, 50 species of mammals, 26 species of reptiles and the popular and endangered Royal Bengal Tiger.

Jim Corbett National Park is home to Asian elephant, leopard, one-horned rhinoceros, barking deer, spotted deer, sambar, otters, fishing cat, leopard cat, Indian grey mongoose, Indian python, laughing thrush, parakeet, vulture, red jungle fowl and many more species of birds and animals.

Corbett Tiger Reserve

Forest areas surrounding Jim Corbett National Park alongwith the neighbouring Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and including the Corbett National Park, form Corbett Tiger reserve, spreading across a vast area of 1288 sqkm.

The Project Tiger was launched in India in 1972 to protect the Royal Bengal Tiger whose population had fallen to startling 1827 as per the first census done to estimate the total no. of tigers left in India.

Corbett Tiger Reserve is spread across three districts of Uttarakhand viz., Nainital, Almora and Pauri.

Best Period to Visit Jim Corbett National Park

Best Period to Visit Jim Corbett National Park is from 15 November to 15 June. Jim Corbett National Park is closed for night halts during monsoons as the roads mostly get washed off due to rains. Post monsoon the roads are repaired and every year the Corbett National Park is reopened on 15^th of November to the tourists.

However, part of Jim Corbett National Park remains open for day visits throughout the year.

Zones of Jim Corbett National Park

For the convenience of visitors and ease of management, Jim Corbett National Park is divided into six ecotourism zones – Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Sonanadi, Durgadevi and Dhela.

Each of the zones has its own entry gate and facilities. Prior to visiting Corbett National Park one must plan as to where he wants to stay and visit.

Dhikala

Entry Gate: Dhangarhi

Facilities: Elephant Safaris, Canteen, Library, Wildlife films are played in the evenings for those lodging in Forest Resthouses.

Open for Day Visits: 15 Nov-15 Jun

Dhikala is where most activity occurs.

Bijrani

Entry Gate: Amdanda ( 1 Km from Ramnagar)

Facilities: Elephant Safaris, Canteen, Wildlife films are played in the evenings for those lodging in Forest Resthouses.

Open for Day Visits: 15 Oct-29 Jun

Jhirna

Entry Gate: Khara gate (16 Km from Ramnagar)

Open For Day Visits: All year round

Facilities: Kitchen facility. Cooking equipment and crockery is available for use. One can carry own edibles to cook and eat.

Jhirna is known for its lush Sal forests and grasslands.

Sonanadi

Entry gate: Vatanvasa

Facilities: Kitchen facility. Cooking equipment and crockery is available for use. One can carry own edibles to cook and eat.

Open For Day Visits: 15 Nov- 15 Jun

Durgadevi

Entry Gate: Durgadevi (36 Km from Ramnagar)

Facilities: Kitchen facility. Cooking equipment and crockery is available for use. One can carry own edibles to cook and eat.

Open For Day Visits: 15 Oct-29 Jun

Popular for birdwatching, Durgadevi is said to be a paradise for bird lovers.

Dhela

Entry Gate: Dhela (13 km from Ramnagar)

Facilities: Kitchen facility. Cooking equipment and crockery is available for use. One can carry own edibles to cook and eat.

Open for Day Visits: All year round

Bookings for Jungle Safari and Forest Rest Houses at Jim Corbett National Park

Bookings for Jungle Safari and stay at Forest Rest Houses at Jim Corbett National Park can be made online from the official website of Corbett National Park. http://corbettonline.uk.gov.in/

Booking amount for Jeep/Jungle Safari once made is neither transferable nor refundable.

Bookings for accommodation at Forest Rest Houses have to be made well in advance, i.e. about 90 days prior to the planned dates.

One needs to submit no. of any one valid photo Id (Passport no., Aadhar no., Voter Id no.) of each of the individuals for both jeep safari and accommodation.

Permits for Jungle Safari/Day Visit to Jim Corbett National Park

Permits for Jim Corbett National Park can be obtained online from the official website of Corbett National park except for Sonanadi ecotourism zone which can be obtained from the visitor reception centre located at Kotdwar.

Note: Private vehicles are not allowed inside the Corbett National Park. Jungle Safari is done only in the vehicles registered with the park administration. One can park the vehicles in parking near the gates from where the Safari begins.

Things to Do in and around Jim Corbett National Park

Jungle Safari

Most if not all come to Corbett National Park for a jungle safari which gives them a peek into the wildlife. Being able to sight a wild animal in its natural mode makes one feel closer to nature and is not just an education in itself but is adventurous and thrilling.

Bird watching

Jim Corbett National Park is home to around 549 species of beautiful birds making it a paradise for bird lovers. It is one of the favourite destinations for bird watching.

Library

Jim Corbett National Park has a collection of books on wildlife as well general topics. The Library is located at Dhikala.

Elephant Rides

Elephant Safaris are a great way of exploring Jim Corbett National Park as it takes you even closer to the wild and keeps you safe even when you come right across a tiger not even batting an eyelid.

Wildlife Movies

For those staying at Forest Rest Houses, wildlife movies are played in the evenings at Dhikala and Bijrani.

Corbett Museum (30 Km from Ramnagar)

Corbett Museum is located at Kaladhungi and is an interesting place to visit. Once the heritage bungalow of hunter turned environmentalist Jim Corbett, Corbett Museum today houses various pictures and articles belonging to him.

Corbett Museum is a small museum but gives one a feel of the beauty of these majestic beasts which have been re-erected using taxidermy.

Timings of Corbett Museum: 8 AM to 5 PM (Winter), 8 AM to 6 PM (Summer)

Closed on: Holi

Where to Stay at Jim Corbett National Park

There are a no. of Forest Rest Houses maintained inside the National Park with canteen or kitchen, i.e., self-catering facilities. The bookings for the Forest rest Houses at Corbett National park can be made on the Corbett’s official website.

Also, there are innumerable private resorts dotting the Corbett Tiger Reserve, outside the Corbett National Park.

Resorts around Jim Corbett National Park offer various facilities and also tie up safaris for the guests on request.