Jim Corbett Travel Guide
India's oldest national park. Dhikala zone safaris book out months ahead.
- Altitude
- 385 m
- Best season
- Nov – Jun
- From Dehradun
- 230 km
- Category
- Wildlife
Why visit Jim Corbett
- India's oldest national park (1936) and one of the most successful tiger conservation areas in the world
- Project Tiger was launched here in 1973 — the park remains a model for wildlife management
- Dhikala, the core zone forest lodge, offers a safari experience unlike any other park in India — overnight stays in the jungle
- Rich river habitat on the Ramganga reservoir creates excellent elephant, gharial and waterbird sightings
- Beyond tigers: leopard, sloth bear, wild elephant, sambar, hog deer and 600+ bird species
Jim Corbett National Park, established in 1936, is India's oldest national park and a stronghold of the Bengal tiger. Safari zones include Bijrani, Jhirna, Dhela and the coveted Dhikala core zone.
Dhikala forest-lodge stays and safaris are permit-limited and sell out well in advance — booking early is the single most important part of planning a Corbett trip.
Explore around
Places near Jim Corbett
The showpiece core zone — forest lodge, grassland machan and best tiger sighting records
River island temple at the Kosi river; popular pilgrim and tourist stop at the park entrance
Jim Corbett's winter home, now a museum; good context on the man-eater stories
Easy combination — lake town and hill-station contrast after days in the forest
What to do
Activities at Jim Corbett
Jeep safari
Zone-specific morning and afternoon safaris of 3 hours each. Dhikala zone safaris are the most sought-after. Permit quotas are strict and fill weeks to months ahead; book via uttarakhandforest.gov.in.
Elephant safari
Dhikala and Bijrani zones operate elephant-back safaris allowing movement through grass that jeeps cannot enter. Availability is limited; book in advance through the park permit portal.
Dhikala overnight stay
The Dhikala Forest Lodge is unique — overnight guests can walk from their room to a machan (watchtower) overlooking a waterhole. Tiger sightings from Dhikala machan are among the most documented in the country.
Birdwatching
Over 600 bird species have been recorded including Pallas's fish eagle, crested serpent eagle, ibisbill and the great slaty woodpecker. The Ramganga reservoir edges are particularly productive in winter for waterfowl.
Book with us
Tours covering Jim Corbett
Before you go
Jim Corbett travel tips
- Dhikala zone permits open 90 days ahead and sell out in hours — set an alarm and book the day slots open on the forest department portal
- Jhirna is the only zone open year-round (including monsoon) and a reliable alternative if other zones are booked
- Safari permits are non-transferable and ID-matched — carry the same ID used during booking
- Naturalist-led safaris from reputed lodges (outside the park) are often more productive for sightings than the government jeeps with larger groups
- The Bijrani zone, 5 km from Ramnagar gate, is excellent for tigers and leopards and has better permit availability than Dhikala
- Stay at resorts outside the park gates in Dhikuli for the best ratio of quality-to-price and access to multiple zones
Getting there
How to reach Jim Corbett
Pantnagar Airport (51 km, 1.5 hrs) has limited connections from Delhi. Most visitors fly to Delhi (260 km, 5–6 hrs road) or Jolly Grant Dehradun (230 km) and drive.
Ramnagar railway station (12 km from Dhikuli) is connected to Delhi (Ranikhet Express from Moradabad). Most convenient overnight connection from Delhi.
Delhi → Moradabad → Kashipur → Ramnagar (260 km, 5–6 hrs). Dehradun → Lansdowne → Kotdwar → Ramnagar (230 km, 6 hrs, scenic but slow).
Where to stay in Jim Corbett
- Dhikala Forest Lodge (inside park) — the only inside-park accommodation; book via forest department portal months ahead
- Dhikuli (just outside Bijrani gate) has the widest resort range: Namah Resort, The Den Corbett, Riverview Retreat — mid-range to luxury
- Ramnagar town has budget guesthouses for backpackers and those arriving without advance bookings
- Jim's Jungle Retreat and Corbett Machaan are among the naturalist-led options offering expert guides
Food & dining
- Dhikala Forest Lodge canteen serves fixed vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis — no menu choice but food is filling
- Resorts in Dhikuli serve buffet meals; check if meals are included in the package before booking
- Ramnagar town has dhabas and fast-food joints; good for a quick lunch between safaris
- Local speciality: bal mithai (Kumaoni chocolate fudge) available in Ramnagar
Background
History of Jim Corbett
Hailey National Park, as it was originally named, was established in 1936 — India's first national park — under the administration of the United Provinces. It was renamed to Jim Corbett National Park in 1956, after the famous hunter-turned-conservationist who had lived in and around Kumaon for most of his life and was instrumental in its creation.
Jim Corbett (1875–1955) was a British-Indian author and naturalist born in Nainital. He earned fame hunting the man-eating tigers and leopards of Kumaon and Garhwal — the Champawat Tigress (436 human kills), the Panar Leopard and the Rudraprayag Leopard among them. His books, particularly "Man-Eaters of Kumaon" (1944), remain classics of Indian wildlife literature and gave the world its most detailed early portrait of a Himalayan forest ecosystem.
Project Tiger, India's flagship conservation programme, was launched at Corbett in April 1973 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The initial tiger count was 68; subsequent censuses have tracked a recovery in Corbett's tiger population to over 250 individuals in recent years.
Plan your trip
Suggested Jim Corbett itinerary
- Day 1Arrive Ramnagar by afternoon. Check in at resort in Dhikuli. Evening zone visit or briefing.
- Day 2Morning Bijrani or Dhikala safari (4–7 am, 3 hrs). Breakfast. Rest. Evening Bijrani or Jhirna safari (2:30–5:30 pm).
- Day 3If Dhikala zone: check in and spend full day at Dhikala (machan sit, grassland walks, evening waterhole). Return to Dhikuli same evening or stay overnight at Dhikala Lodge.
- Day 4Morning safari. Depart for Nainital (65 km) or Delhi (260 km).
Common questions
Jim Corbett FAQ
- Which zone is best for tiger sightings at Corbett?
- Dhikala has the highest documented sighting frequency but is hardest to get permits for. Bijrani is the second-best option with easier permit availability. Jhirna is good for leopard.
- How far in advance should I book Corbett permits?
- Dhikala permits open 90 days ahead and often sell out the same day. Bijrani and Jhirna are more available — book 2–4 weeks ahead to be safe.
- Can children go on safaris?
- Yes — there is no minimum age rule. Children must carry valid ID. The open jeep can be cold in early morning — carry warm clothing.
- Is Corbett open during monsoon?
- Most zones close from June 15 to November 15. Only Jhirna zone is open year-round. The Sitabani buffer (no wildlife permit required) is accessible throughout the year.
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