Indian Wildlife Safari is without a doubt among the most romantic adventures and the best travel suggestions. Welcome to Corbett National Park, where you may experience thrilling safaris, rare wildlife, and lush beauty.
Jim Corbett National Park
Corbett National Park - History at a glance
Every tourist is enthralled by this renowned national park in Uttarakhand, India, which combines a rich biodiversity with thick woods and breathtaking terrain. For those who are not aware of this national gem, Corbett Park, here is all the information you need to know.
Jim Corbett National Park, India‘s first national park, was established in 1936 as a forested wildlife sanctuary. It was previously called Hailey National Park, after the governor of the United Provinces at the time, William Malcolm Hailey. Ramganga National Park was later given that name.
Corbett National Park was officially named after Jim Corbett, an English hunter and conservationist who was influential in the park’s development, in 1956. The park was the first to open under the Project Tiger initiative.
The 520 square kilometres of park are home to a wide variety of plant and animal species.
The beautiful Bengal tiger is what draws most people, but the ecosystem of the park also supports over 600 bird species, including the endangered crested serpent eagle and Himalayan pied kingfisher, among many others.
Exploring Corbett National Park
The safari, an adrenaline-pumping excursion that transports you far into the wilderness to see the animal world in its natural habitat, is without a doubt one of the most captivating activities in Corbett National Park.
Corbett National Park offers 3 types of Safari for the jungle adventure
- Elephant Safari
- Canter Safari
- Jeep Safari (One of the most sought options by the tourists)
Jim Corbett Safari Timings
The schedules for the day safari are once in the morning (6:00 AM–9:00 AM) and once in the afternoon. (3:00 PM–6:00 PM).
Timings may vary slightly depending on the season and can be checked when making a reservation on the Jim Corbett Official Website.
Jim Corbett National Park Safari Online Booking
There are many websites where you can book online, or you can book through agencies. However, I recommend that you make your reservation through the Jim Corbett Official Website. You can get all the important information on documents, dos and don’ts, and timings.
Before visiting Corbett National Park, it is essential to understand the advantages of each park zone. In Corbett, there are several different park zones, each of which is designed for a different activity, like photography, wildlife observation, or birding.
Within the Corbett Tiger Reserve, there are 9 tourist zones that are mutually exclusive and have their own entrance gates.
Among all the tourism zones in Corbett National Park, the Dhikala zone is the most popular for day safaris and is also the largest zone. The region is renowned for its riverbanks, sal woods, and grassy plains. It is regarded as the best area for tiger sightings and the most popular option for wildlife enthusiasts to spend the night. There isn't a vehicle safari available for day visitors in the Dhikala zone. However, the Dhikala zone's forest officials provide a day trip that includes a canter safari.
Entry Gate: Dhangarhi Gate
Distance From Ramnagar: 32 Km
Open for Visitors: 15th November to 15th June
Night Stay: 15th November to 14th June (Forest Rest House Located at : Dhikala, Gairal, Sarpduli, Sultan)
The Bijrani zone is known for its beautiful terrain and for being a very serene location. This is one of the park's most tiger-rich regions. This area is well-known for the abundance of plants and animals it supports, such as the Royal Bengal Tiger, sloth bear, wild boar, and elephant. A jeep safari that takes you through the thick Sal forests and savannah grasslands is open for visitors.
Entry Gate: Amdanda Gate
Distance From Ramnagar: 2 Km
Open for Visitors: 15th October to 30th June
Night Stay: 15th November to 14th June (Forest Rest House Located at : Bijrani, Malani)
There is an abundance of vegetation and fauna in this area. The area, which covers 1,173 hectares, is home to tigers, leopards, Asiatic elephants, sloth bears, and king cobras, as well as mixed woods with Sal, Rohini, Haldu, Bahera, and Kusum plants. This area is known for having a wide variety of bird species and is regarded as the best area for birding.
Entry Gate: Dhela Gate
Distance From Ramnagar: 15 Km
Open for Visitors: Throughout the year (depending upon road/weather conditions)
Jhirna is situated on the Corbett Tiger Reserve's southern border. The area is home to thick forests and a variety of animals, such as jackals, deer, and even Asian elephants. Its primary topography consists primarily of secondary and deciduous forest, with lush open grasslands intermingled that provide remarkably good visibility of wild animals.
Entry Gate: Dhela Gate
Distance From Ramnagar: 15 Km
Open for Visitors: Throughout the year (depending upon road/weather conditions)
Night Stay: 15th November to 14th June (Forest Rest House Located at : Jhirna, Dhela)
There are about 350 species of birds that reside in this area, which is particularly well known for its wildlife. Rare creatures, including the goral, leopard, and wild elephant, are also found in this area. The Durga Devi Zone is the place to be if you enjoy bird watching because there is always something spectacular to see, from the Northern Goshawk to the red-billed Blue Magpie.
Entry Gate: Durga Devi Gate
Distance From Ramnagar: 28 Km
Open for Visitors: 15th October to 15th June
Night Stay: 15th November to 14th June (Forest Rest House Located at : Lohachaur)
There are 5 other zones that can be explored during your tour of Corbett National Park:-
- Garjia Zone
- Pakhro Zone
- Sonanadi Zone
- Sitabani Buffer Zone (Buffer zone gets allotted when all other zones get packed, it’s good for nature lovers.)
- Phato Zone (It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Dhami on January 2, 2022)
Other Interesting Activities in Corbett
You can engage in a variety of additional activities while visiting Corbett. Below, I’ve attempted to list a few intriguing things to do:-
1. Kosi River
If you want to get your feet wet, you can wade into the Kosi River (a Tributary of the Ramganga River), which passes through the park. Take a drive to the top of Corbett Hill for amazing views of the surrounding forests and valleys if you prefer a more picturesque experience.
2. Corbett Museum
Check out the Corbett Museum if you’re interested in learning more about the history and fauna of Corbett National Park. Here, you can see exhibits about the flora and animals of the park as well as James Corbett’s biography, after whom the park is named.
3. Garjiya Devi Temple
The majority of visitors to the Garjiya Devi Temple come during the Kartik Purnima festival (November–December). It is situated 14 kilometres from Ramnagar, Uttarakhand, India, on the bank of the river Kosi, amidst the mountainous topography of the state.
4. River Rafting in the Kosi River
River rafting is ideal in Corbett National Park because the Kosi River flows through it. There are rapids on the river for every skill level, ranging from easy to difficult.
5. Corbett Falls
On the Kaladhungi-Ramnagar route, Corbett Falls, a 20-meter waterfall, is located 4 km from Kaladhungi and 25 km from Ramnagar. There are extensive trees all around the falls.
Interesting Facts
1. The plot of the 2005 Bollywood film Kaal is set in Jim Corbett National Park. The movie was also shot in the park.
2. In August 2019, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi appeared in a special episode of Discovery Channel’s Man vs Wild with host Bear Grylls, where he trekked through the jungles and discussed nature and wildlife conservation with Grylls. The episode was shot in Jim Corbett National Park.
Traveller Tips
1. This is a national park and animals move freely inside the park at will. Please don’t expect wildlife everywhere and every time.
2. Jungle Safari (Day Visit) booking is not required in case you are booking a night stay.
3. Visitors are allowed to move ‘only’ with vehicles registered with the park administration as private vehicles are not allowed inside the park.
4. Always keep a safe distance from wild animals. One should refrain from teasing wild animals and should never try to feed them.
5. Getting off the vehicle and moving on foot is strictly prohibited.
6. Day visits to all zones are strictly permitted only for a limited number of vehicle entries during each morning and afternoon.
If you truly enjoy the outdoors and wildlife, consider planning a stay at one of the Forest Rest Houses that the Corbett National Park Zones have to offer. By using the Corbett Official Website, you can check the information and make a reservation.
Finally, Corbett National Park is a must-see place for everyone looking for a respite from the everyday. Corbett Park, with its different habitats, abundant species, and historical significance, provides tourists with a memorable experience.
Corbett Park provides something for everyone, whether you’re a nature enthusiast, animal photographer, or simply searching for a calm getaway. So pack your bags, grab your cameras, and head to Corbett National Park for an unforgettable experience.
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