About Jim Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett National Park is India's oldest national park, established in 1936 as Hailey National Park and renamed in 1957 to honour the British conservationist Jim Corbett. Spread over 1,318 sq km of foothill forest, river ecosystems, and grasslands, it is the flagship reserve of Project Tiger and home to roughly 250 Bengal tigers, ~1,200 Asian elephants, and a rich population of leopards, sloth bears, sambar, chital, langur, peacock, and 600+ bird species. The Ramganga river runs through the park; the Dhikala grassland in the core zone is the most photographed habitat.
Safari Zones
Corbett has six safari zones with different access rules: Dhikala (the iconic core grassland - day visits and overnight Forest Rest House permits, advance booking only), Bijrani (closest to Ramnagar town, jeep safari), Jhirna (open year-round - reliable for sloth bear sightings), Dhela (open year-round, good for elephants), Durga Devi (for birders), and Sitabani (a buffer zone, no permit needed). Most first-time visitors do a morning Bijrani safari and an afternoon Jhirna or Dhela safari from a Ramnagar-area resort.
When to Visit
Dhikala zone is open 15 November to 15 June - tiger sightings peak in March-April when grasslands burn back and animals concentrate near water. Jhirna and Sitabani are open year-round. Monsoon (July-October) closes most zones because the Ramganga floods. Winter (December-February) gives crisp views and active leopards. Summer (April-June) is hot but the highest tiger sighting probability.
Where to Stay
Most visitors stay at resorts on the buffer side near Ramnagar or Dhikuli (3-12 km from the main gate) - dozens of options across budget and luxury tiers. Inside the park, the Dhikala Forest Rest House (FRH) and a few satellite huts (Sarapduli, Khinanauli) accept overnight bookings for the deepest experience but require advance reservation through the Corbett Tiger Reserve booking portal. Inside-park stays are spartan and meal options are limited; bring your own snacks.
How to Reach Jim Corbett National Park
- By road from Delhi: 260 km via NH 9 to Ramnagar (~6 hrs)
- By rail: Ramnagar Railway Station (12 km from main gate)
- By air: Pantnagar Airport (80 km), Delhi Airport (260 km)
- Local: Resort-arranged jeep safari is the standard format; canter (open bus) safari is the only option for Dhikala day visits
Nearby Attractions
- Nainital (115 km - lake town and Kumaon hub)
- Ramnagar (the gateway town - Corbett Museum, market)
- Garjia Devi Temple (15 km - Kosi river temple on a rock)
- Sitabani Forest Reserve (no permit zone, leopard territory)
Related Reading
- Nainital + Corbett 4N/5D ex-Delhi
- Mussoorie + Nainital + Corbett 5N/6D
- Mussoorie + Rishikesh + Nainital + Corbett 7N/8D
- Nainital travel guide - the natural Kumaon hub paired with Corbett
Char Dham Helicopter Connection
Jim Corbett is in the Kumaon foothills, geographically separate from the Garhwal Char Dham circuit, but it is the most popular wildlife extension after a Char Dham yatra. We bundle Corbett into the 4N/5D Nainital + Corbett ex-Delhi tour, the 5N/6D Nainital + Kausani + Corbett, the 6N/7D and 7N/8D Garhwal+Kumaon arcs, and the 11N/12D Garhwal Grand Tour. Best added as the closing leg of a longer Uttarakhand circuit.
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