Jim Corbett National Park: A Complete Travel Guide

Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand is regarded as one of India’s most important wildlife destinations. It is situated in between the Kumaon and Garhwal regions in the state. The park is about 1318 square kilometres of grassland, Sal woods, riverine belts, and the spectacular foothills of the Himalayas. The park is home to a diversity of wildlife and birds.

If you want to see tigers, Jim Corbett National Park is where you should go. There are more tigers in India than anywhere else, and this area has the most of them. It has the distinction of being the country’s first national park. Many notable creatures call this area home, even though it is called a tiger reserve. Thousands of people from all around the world visit this location every year because of the incredible variety of wildlife, vegetation, and fauna.

Key Details

The Jim Corbett National Park was India’s first national park to be established in 1936. It bears the name of the renowned naturalist and conservationist Jim Corbett, who was a famed tiger-hunter in his early life. Near Nainital, the Jim Corbett National Park is known for its vast number of tigers, making it the most populous national park in India in terms of the animals. 

To observe wild creatures in their natural habitat, you must avail yourself of a jeep safari. 

  • If you’re lucky, you might even see a tiger in the wild. Relax as you ride on a jeep safari through a densely forested area dotted with small waterfalls. You can also stay overnight in one of the park’s hotels, which offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Do check out some of the hotels with great deals on cleartrip.
  • Natural beauty and unusual species may be found in abundance in the Dhikala Zone, the largest and best jungle-safari area in Corbett. The distance from Ramnagar city to the entry gate is 18 kilometres. Hardcore nature enthusiasts should consider spending the night within the Dhikala Tourism Zone.
  • Another popular tourist destination in the Jim Corbett National Park, the Jhirna Safari Zone, is open all year round. The city of Ramnagar is 16 kilometres away from Jhirna Gate. 
  • As of November 2014, Dhela Safari Zone has been added to the Corbett National Park’s tiger reserve zone. For tourists in CTR, this is the sole open location in the reserve’s buffer zone. Tourists flock to this year-round destination with its diverse flora and fauna, which attracts them despite its distance from Ramnagar City of about 13 kilometres.

Corbett National Park has been separated into five zones to increase tourism in the area. Visitors can get personal with the animals in the park’s core section, demarcated as a buffer zone or core area. The natural beauty of the vast grasslands makes the Bijrani Zone a popular destination for tourists. Ramnagar city is just one kilometre away from the zone’s main entrance.

Ramnagar’s railway station receives trains from Delhi, Moradabad, and Bareilly, as well as other major Indian cities. From Delhi, there is a direct train to Ramnagar. The Ranikhet Express, Corbett Link Express, and Kathgodam Express run directly to Ramnagar. You will find the trains on the IRCTC schedule.

Key Attractions

  • Ramnagar has a well-developed road system that connects the many towns and cities in the area. The distance from Delhi to the Corbett National Park is approximately 260 kilometres on the surface. 

    Buses from Delhi, Moradabad, Haldwani, and Nainital travel directly to Corbett from Uttarakhand’s state government.
  • Ramnagar is probably the best place to go to Corbett National Park. It is a little town that is well-connected to major Indian cities, including Moradabad, Nainital, Delhi, and Bareilly, thanks to an extensive road and rail network. 

    Corbett National Park is only a half-hour drive from Ramnagar. Ramnagar railway station is about 15 kilometres from the park.
  • The Durga Devi Zone, located on the north-eastern frontier of Jim Corbett National Park, is a bird watcher’s paradise. Ramnagar city is around 36 kilometres away from the entrance gate. 

    A buffer zone around the Corbett Tiger Reserve is the Sitabani Zone. You must go to Sitabani if you enjoy the tranquillity of nature’s splendour.

Accommodation

Most tourists prefer to stay at the forest lodges run by the local forest authorities. Here are some recommendations:

  • Lodges in the Gairal, Sarapduli, Dhikala, Bijrani, Malani, Sultan, and Jhirna safari zones can be reserved and occupied. Here, the rooms are always full. It is, therefore, recommended that you book at least 60 days in advance. 
  • There are various luxury resorts in Jim Corbett Park, in addition to the forest lodges that offer a wide range of amenities. These establishments provide their customers with a wide range of modern conveniences.

Activities

Visitor activities at Corbett Park include: 

  1. Rock climbing
  2. Fishing
  3. Rappelling
  4. Balancing ropes, 
  5. Activities along the Burma Bridge
  6. Wildlife and bird spotting. 

Different zones of Corbett National Park are open at different times throughout the year, as was indicated above. There are certain areas available all year round, such as Jhirna and Sonanadi, whilst others are only open from the middle of October until the end of June.

How to get to Jim Corbett National Park?

There are numerous ways to get to and from Jim Corbett National Park. Ramnagar, on the other hand, is the nearest location to the park. Major cities like New Delhi, Nainital, Haridwar, Lucknow, and Ranikhet are easily accessible from Ramnagar.

By Air

The Pantnagar Airport is the closest major airport to the area’s centre.

By Train

The next town, Ramnagar, is easily accessible by train to major Indian towns.

By Bus

Delhi, Lucknow, Dehradun, Nainital, and Ranikhet are a few cities where bus services are readily available.

Booking an online trip

You can fill out forms and provide documents to reserve a variety of services in Jim Corbett National Park, such as forest lodges, resorts, safaris, and vacation packages. First-come, first-served policies apply to all reservations. 

Jim Corbett National Park has a variety of Jim Corbett Packages that can be tailored to your needs, including Jeep Safaris, Canter Safaris, and Luxury Resort Bookings.

Final Words

The Jim Corbett covers an area of 520 square kilometres and consists of hills, riverine belts, marshes, grasslands, and a vast lake. You can stay here overnight, one of the few national reserves in India that allows it. The best way to see the park’s wildlife and nature is from the back of an elephant or in an open-air Jeep. The national park, which is the home to tigers and fish-eating crocodiles, is a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.

Tiger Reserve Jim Corbett National Park is located in Uttarakhand’s Nainital district and is part of the bigger Corbett Tiger Reserve. Known for its tiger abundance, the magnificent environment of Corbett is well known and fabled. Corbett is India’s oldest and most prominent National Park, having been established in 1936 as Hailey National Park. It is also being recognised for its role in the inception of Project Tiger in 1973. Project Tiger, a conservation effort in India, was born in this unusual tiger region, well known as the father of Project Tiger. For more details, you can Visit Cleartrip, the ultimate travel portal for travellers from around the world.

FAQs

What is Jim Corbett National Park renowned for?

This park is renowned for having the most tigers of any national park in India. It spans a vast area of breathtaking scenery. Some portions of the park are open to visitors for the night.

At what time of year is Jim Corbett National Park the most enjoyable to visit?

Corbett’s monsoon season lasts from July to September. It’s a terrific time to explore the lush greenery of the region. Nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers rush to the park during this time. Although Corbett National Park is open for the majority of the year, it is closed from July 1 through November 14 for some areas.

Is it possible to drive a private vehicle in Jim Corbett?

According to Corbett’s website, Sammy Outside of Ramnagar, tourists can rent private Jeeps/Gipsies to get around Corbett National Park. Because there are no fuel stations beyond Ramnagar, drivers should refuel their vehicles before visiting the park.

Is Jim Corbett worth going for a trip to?

The area around Corbett has a lot to offer in terms of both natural beauty and historical significance. It’s well worth the trip to one of the park’s charming and one-of-a-kind communities. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in your life when you visit this place.

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