A Complete Guide to Jim Corbett Tiger Safari

Overview of Jim Corbett

Jim Corbett is the first national park of India and was established in 1936 by Britishers. It was initially named Hailey National Park and is also considered to be the third national park globally. After independence in 1947, it was renamed Ramganga National Park, deriving its name from a local river flowing through the park. In 1955, the government renamed it after a famous wildlife enthusiast, Jim Corbett.

Jim Corbett is a respected personality in the region because of his contribution in restricting a man-eater tiger who was pushed to India from Nepal. He actually facilitated the capture of the tiger while denying any prize announced by the government. In fact, some villages still celebrate his birthday as a festival.

Located in the state of Uttrakhand in the northern part of the country, the park is within the jurisdiction of the Kumaon region. With a total area of 1300 square kilometers and a core forest area of 500 square kilometers, it is one of the largest national parks in India. It has the largest population of tigers in India. It also has over 110 varieties of flora, 580 birds, and 25 reptiles.

How to Reach Jim Corbett

Jim Corbett National Park or CTR (Corbett Tiger Reserve) as it is commonly called is well connected and is easily accessible. The nearest airport is in Pantnagar which is 50 kilometers away. It is also in the catchment area of Dehradun airport which is about 2 hours of drive from the park. The nearest international airport is in New Delhi which is about 250 kilometers away. The nearest railway station is in Ram Nagar which is about 12 kilometers from the park.

The park has good connectivity through roads so you can easily take taxis or drive your vehicle to the park. It takes about 5 hours from Delhi in terms of driving time. Road infrastructure is pretty good apart from a few patches so you should not have a lot of problems reaching Jim Corbett National Park.

Where to Stay in Jim Corbett

Jim Corbett National Park is now a major tourist attraction on the map of Northern India and hence rapid construction has taken place over the last few years. This has made available several choices for tourists. Today, the region offers some options for all budgets, choices, and preferences. We think that all the accommodations can overall be divided into four categories.

• Forest Lodges – These are forest department facilities in the middle of the tiger reserve. These are mostly within the core or buffer zone of the forest. There are places with basic facilities housed in heritage (some >100 years old) buildings. However, these come at the best of locations and are near to nature which is the reason to be here. These do get sold out pretty quickly so be ready at the 45-day mark before the check-in date. These are approximately in the range of 5000 Rs. per night.
• Homestays or Bed & Breakfasts – These are the most economical accommodations and just offer you a bed to sleep on for the night. The beds are in shared rooms with common facilities for the entire place. These are generally only suited for solo travelers who are just looking to crash at night. You can find these for as low as 700-800 Rs per night.
• Hotels – The hotels have a quite wide range depending on the facilities and locations sought. These facilities provide decent comfort with all modern amenities to make you stay comfortable. These could vary from 2500 to 8000 Rs. per night.
• Resorts – These are the most luxurious accommodations providing the best of facilities and anything else needed to spoil you. While you may need a certain level of disposable income to afford these, when you cross that threshold, these are the only ones you would find acceptable.

We recommend that you choose an accommodation closer to the zones where you would be taking the safari. This would give you an additional buffer in time during the morning safari. Since most safaris start from Ramnagar, several facilities have come up in this region. We stayed at two different hotels to try various options – Le Reserve Hotel and Roar Resort. Le Reserve is near the Dhangarhi Gate of the Dhikala Range and Roar Resort is located in the wild away from the hustle near the Dhela zone.

When to Visit Jim Corbett

The park for the most part is closed during monsoons. There are a couple of zones that are operational throughout the year. However, we recommend avoiding the monsoon season from June to October. Rains reduce the probability of tiger sightings to a very high extent. While October to April are the best times to visit, local tour operators and canter drivers suggested that the second week of June, just before the park closes, there are high chances of spotting a tiger in herds.

A Detailed Guide to Tiger Safari Booking

The main reason why you are in this area is the Tiger Safari and hence it deserves a section for itself. This section provides all the details about the zones and safari options.

Zones of Jim Corbett

The zones of Jim Corbett National Park are divided based on their geographical location and accessibility. The most popular zones include Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, and Dhela, each offering a unique wilderness experience for visitors. The Dhikala zone is situated in the core area of the park and is known for its diverse wildlife population, including tigers, elephants, and crocodiles. Bijrani is another famous zone that is ideal for tiger-spotting and bird-watching. Jhirna and Dhela zones are relatively less crowded and offer a tranquil environment for nature lovers.

Zone	Description	Open During
Dhikala	Largest zone of the Corbett National Park and carries a large variety of flora and fauna. It is the most popular zone and offers a chance to spot tigers in their natural habitat. It also has a picturesque landscape with grasslands and dense forests.	15 Nov – 15 Jun
Bijrani	Known for its diverse flora and fauna, visitors can expect to see elephants, deer, and various bird species here. It is the next popular zone after Dhikala and has an equal chance of tiger sightings.	15 Oct – 30 Jun
Jhirna	Located on the southern edge of the Corbett National Park, this zone was included much later in the tiger reserve zone, in the year 1994 and got immense popularity among wildlife lovers. Along with the majestic tigers, the wild bears are the main attraction of this zone.	All Around the Year
Dhela	The Dhela zone is the latest added zone in the tourism zones of the Corbett National Park which was opened in December 2014 for the safari tour.	All Around the Year
Durga Devi	The zone is situated on the northeast periphery of the Corbett forest which is highly rich in species of flora and fauna. The streams of the Ramganga River and Mandal River enrich the water bodies of this zone and adds to the beauty of this wild forest.	15 Nov – 15 Jun
Sitabani	The Sitabani forest zone is the reserve forest zone located outside the Corbett Tiger reserve area. The zone is treated as the Buffer area of the tiger reserve and is open for everyone visiting here.	All Around the Year
Garjiya	This tourism zone is enriched with a large variety of floral and faunal species. The zone is popular for its wonderful landscape and it is a very cool and calm place.	15 Nov – 30 Jun

Safari Options – Canter and Jeep Safari

Tiger Safari in Jim Corbett National Park can be undertaken on either a Canter or a Jeep (Gypsy). While there are two options, these are restricted by the zone that you choose to venture into. Dhikala only allows for a canter safari for those who are not staying at one of the forest lodges. All the other zones allow for only jeep safari.

Canters in Jim Corbett are 16-seater modified Eicher buses that are great for enjoying the flora and fauna as a group. The canter ticket includes the prices for the permit and guide and is great for small families, solo travelers, or large groups. They are also the only option to visit the Dhikala Zone if you are not staying within the forest lodges. While these are not as cumbersome as they may sound, several restrictions come with them. These canters run on a schedule and hence cannot stop for long at any one point, even if calls for a tiger are prominent. Also, you need to reach the Ramnagar Pick-up Point or Dhanagarhi Gate to board the canter right on time (very limited flexibility).

Jeep Safaris on the other hand are performed using modified Maruti Gypsy vehicles. These are open-air cars that allow you to enjoy the forests in a relatively more private environment. These jeeps need to be hired for your own groups and pick you up from your hotels. Each jeep can accommodate up to eight adults and three kids in addition to the driver and guide. For a small group, these are the perfect modes of safari as they are economical and provide additional flexibility. Since they are chartered for your group, you could spend relatively longer at specific spots if there is a strong calling.

We think purely from a pricing perspective, if you have 4 to 8 members in your group, jeeps are a better option. If you are looking for a specific safari in the Dhikala region or are a very small group, then opt for a canter safari.

Safaris can be booked at the official portal of Jim Corbett National Park. There are separate sections for booking jeep safari, canter safari, night stay, and other attractions at the park. These can also be booked through private travel agents and your hotels at Jim Corbett.

Things to Do in Jim Corbett in Addition to Safari

Tiger safari is the primary reason why tourists visit the region and hence that would be the first activity on your mind. However, around the park, certain other activities could keep you engaged between safaris if you have some buffer time.

1. Dhangarhi Museum – The museum is located right at the gate of Dhikala Zone so if you are taking a safari in that zone, this is an easy visit. The museum showcases soul-stirring displays of hunted animals.
2. Garjiya Temple – Garjiya Temple is one of the oldest temples in India and holds great significance for the people in its vicinity. Perched on a large mountain rock, this temple is impressively constructed at an elevation of 60 feet above the ground. Situated amidst the Kosi River, Garjiya Temple is a popular pilgrimage destination, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors throughout the year.
3. Corbett Falls – These waterfalls are scenic locations that attract tourists, especially during rain, and can be a good picnic spot. However, during non-monsoons, tourists tend to avoid it because of scarcity of water.
4. Ramnagar Barrage – It’s a 54.25 m long barrage which is constructed across river Kosi at Almora to provide drinking water to about 1 lac 30 thousand people of Almora city and nearby places.
5. Corbett Museum – The Corbett Museum is a heritage site dedicated to Sir Edwar James Corbett, popularly known as Jim Corbett, showcasing his life through his work and belongings. Jim Corbett was a British Hunter who turned naturalist and conservationist during the times of British colonization of India. Mr. Corbett had a strong influence on wildlife preservation which is why the first National Park of India was named after this legendary person. The Museum displays numerous belongings of Mr. Jim Corbett like his general shooting attire and letters.
6. Sitabani Reserve – Sitabani is a hard forest area, not a part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve, but very close to it. The area is a favorite spot for tourists walking by and is popular because of its mention in the Hindu epic, Ramayana. The legend says that goddess Sita, wife of Lord Rama, spent some days of her exile in Sitabani. The entire place is protected and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
7. Elephant Ride – Courts have put a restriction on elephant safari and hence those are closed for now. However, you may find some elephant owners roaming around and you can request a ride.
8. Night Drive – Take a drive in the outskirts and buffer zone of the Jim Corbett National Park and you may see a few of the wildlife.

Budget for a Jim Corbett Trip

Here is a summary of how much we spent during our Jim Corbett trip and also some additional guidance to help you plan your budget for a visit to the Corbett Tiger Reserve.

Heading	Our Expenses	Additional Guidance
Travel/ Transportation	Rs. 5000	This is the cost of gas/fuel for the road trip from Gurgaon (about 280 km away)
Accommodation	Rs. 6000	This is for 2 nights. We stayed at modest hotels. Forest lodges are about 6000 per night.
Safari	Rs. 3600	This is a canter fee for two adults. It is about 1800 Rs. per person. Gypsy is about 8000 Rs. per car.
Food	Rs. 4000	This is for three meals for 2.5 travelers. This could vary based on specific needs.
Miscellaneous	Rs. 2000	This includes tips, tickets, and other expenses.
Total	Rs. 20,000	This is our expense list. This would vary based on your choice of accommodation and number of safaris you undertake.

Overall, the above are our expenses on the trip which included two adults and a kid. However, this was definitely not an ideal one. We recommend spending two nights like we did but use the third day for an additional safari. This would add about Rs. 8000 to the above estimate. Depending on your group size, the per-head expenses may vary.

Lessons Learned

We had a great trip at Jim Corbett and enjoyed the safari and other activities. Below are some things you should consider before planning a visit.

• Book your accommodation in advance if you plan to stay in forest lodges. The forest lodges for the busy zones fill up pretty fast after they open up about 45 days in advance.
• Canters and Jeep Safaris can be booked through agents/hotels but they do charge a commission. Especially for the canter rides, the commission could be as high as 60% of the government price. It is pretty easy to book accommodation and safari online on the government portal.
• It is extremely crucial to follow the instructions of your guide during the safari. Any deviations could hamper your safety.
• The jungle can get a bit windy or chilly because of the dense forests so please carry some layering especially since the vehicles are open top and airy.