Complete Travel Guide To Jim Corbett National Park
Introduction to Jim Corbett
Uttarakhand comes up with the tagline ‘Simply Heaven’ has a lot to offer to the tourists. The state is diverse in tourism because of the world’s popular destinations. The steep valleys for a perfect adventure, the pilgrimage places located at high altitude, water activities in Rishikesh to name a few that makes the state proud. Jim Corbett National Park is one such gem of the state and has unique factors as a forest reserve. Located in the city of Ramnagar in Nainital district of Uttarakhand, the forest reserve holds the unique point of having accommodations within the woods. Hence, we came up with the complete travel guide to explore the woods of Jim Corbett National Park.
The beauty of Jim Corbett National Park is not restricted to the scenic flora or the endangered fauna but also lies in the luxury of staying within the jungle. No other national park in the country offers this experience.
History Of Jim Corbett National Park
The Park was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park to protect the endangered Bengal tiger. The nomenclature was after one of the well-known hunters at that time. Jim Corbett is a naturalist and a hunter, popular for hunting man-eating tigers and leopards. The Park was hence renamed after Jim Corbett as a tribute in the year 1955.
Flora and Fauna Of Jim Corbett National Park:
The Park covers around 520 square kilometers which covers the major portion of Corbett Tiger reserve and is located around 1300 – 4000 feet from sea level. There are over 488 different species of plants recorded in the park. Commonly sighted trees include Sal, Khair and Sissoo.
Sighting the royal Bengal Tiger is a highlight of the forest. However, over 500 different species of flora and fauna can be found throughout the area. Common sightings here are Langurs, sloth bears, Asiatic black bears, Indian gray mongooses, jungle cats, elephants, wild boars, spotted deer, barking deer, and Indian antelope. Reptiles and amphibians include a variety of snakes (including cobras and pythons) and species of crocodiles (gavials and muggers category notably).
Zones And Gates Of Jim Corbett National Park :
There are 6 major zones in Jim Corbett
The Core Zones
- Dhikala zone
- Bijrani zone
- Dhela zone
The Buffer Zones
- Jhirna zone
- Durga Devi zone
- Sitabani zone
Best Zones And Gates At Jim Corbett National Park
Different Types Of Safaris At Jim Corbett National Park:
Gypsy safari
Exploring the woods in a 6-seater Gypsy is a great option to schedule a safari trip. Gypsy safari happens twice a day for a span of 3 hours, morning, and evening. Morning safari starts at 6 AM, while evening safari starts at 3 PM. The vehicle can get through the hardest terrains and deepest woods and hence, recommended for better sightings.
Canter safari
Canter safari in Jim Corbett National Park is organized by the forest officials in Dhikala zone. A canter can accommodate up to 20 tourists and hence it is most preferred for budget travel. However, the canter seats are based on a first come first serve basis. Moreover, the sighting probability is way too low in canter safari.
Elephant Safari
Elephant safari is quite the best way to witness wildlife. You can explore the jungle through the grassland (Chaurs) and dense forest area by an unconventional route. Elephant safari is the best way for sighting big cats or a herd of wild elephants. This type of safari allows you to travel deeper into the wilderness and closer view of wildlife. The best part is that the creatures do not panic while you are on the venture.
The elephant safari is scheduled in morning and afternoon at all the core zones of Corbett Tiger Reserve. It would be an hour of adventure through the mysterious thick forests, deep valleys, accompanied by the rhythmic scuff-scuff of an elephant’s feet and the creaks of its wooden howdah.
Safari Timings At Jim Corbett National Park
The morning safari begins at 6 AM and the afternoon safari is scheduled to start at 3 PM. You can explore the jungle for up to 3 hours in a single safari.
Tips to Book Wildlife Safari in Jim Corbett National Park
Best Time To Visit Jim Corbett National Park
The best time to visit Jim Corbett National Park is anytime between November and May. The Park is closed during the monsoon season between June and October.
The Park is at high elevation above sea level and hence the winters are extremely cold here. Be prepared for biting cold if the plan is anytime between November to February. The best time to visit exclusively for tiger sighting is between March to May as the big cats’ head over to the water bodies to quench their thirst.
How To Reach Jim Corbett?
By Road –
The Park is approximately 260 km from Delhi. There are direct buses from Delhi, Moradabad, Haldawani, and Nainital scheduled by the government of Uttarakhand.
By Train –
Ramnangar railway station is 15 km from Jim Corbett National Park entrance. A finite number of trains can be found operational between Delhi and Ramnagar.
By Air –
The nearest airport is Pantnagar airport which is approximately 84 km from Ramnagar. The nearest International Airport is IGI airport, Delhi.
Online Safari Booking At Jim Corbett
Type of Accommodations In Jim Corbett
Jim Corbett National Park holds the status of having the accommodations within the forest conservation. This is one of the core reasons why wildlife enthusiasts have this place in their must-visit list.
We at WildTrails have 3 types of accommodations in Jim Corbett. Budget, mid-range, and luxury. The package cost varies depending on the type of accommodation you choose for the trip.
Budget Accommodation
Budget accommodation has all the basic-level facilities at the lodge. The prices are at lower end when compared to other types. Go for budget type accommodation if you are looking for the best bang for your buck.
Mid-Range Accommodation
Mid-range accommodation has an upper hand, providing better facilities and more options to explore within the resort. The comfort-level is slightly higher when compared to the budget level properties. Camp fire, babysitting, and a lot other major are being offered at the resort to make your stay more pleasant.
How To Get Your Customised Jim Corbett Packages
Luxury Accommodation
The priority for Luxury type accommodation is always the best comfort possible. Besides having top-level facilities and amenities, hospitality is the core reason why you would love to visit the place again. Luxury cottages and villas come under this category with comfortable stay and better privacy.
At WildTrails, we enlist only the trusted accommodations in our portal whose quality of services are verified on a regular basis.
Places To Visit Near Jim Corbett National Park:
Uttarakhand, as mentioned before, has a lot to offer to the tourists. Hence, the options to visit places around Jim Corbett National Park are abundant. However, we have a few unique ones listed out-
Sattal –
The town named after the interconnection of seven lakes around the city. The town has thick woodland attracting migratory birds. The place is hence a great place for bird lovers, moreover it is a great place to explore and relax after wandering the forest.
Lansdowne –
Glimpse of the nature with a hike is one of the best ways to relax post wildlife adventure. Lansdowne is the place to head out for this way to relax.
Rishikesh –
The place is popularly known for river rafting and a handful of adventure sports. It is around 130 kilometers from Jim Corbett National Park.
Nainital –
A popular hill station with a pear-shaped lake. Boating and rope-ride are the rides that cannot be missed here. A 65-kilometre ride from Jim Corbett National Park is worth the visit. Nevertheless, to miss out the best sunset view here.
Raniket –
Home to one of India’s best 9-hole golf courses, Bhau dam Ranikhet is popularly known as the most romantic place in the state. The city is energetic and peaceful with a finite number of activities to look out for.
Flagship Species :
Jim Corbett, as mentioned earlier, is the oldest national park in India. However, not many know that the forest reserve is home to few of the oldest tigers in India. Khali is one such tiger to look out for who is named after the wrestler, dominates the territory since at his age of 10. Dheeto once ruled the jungle and is remembered by every tiger tracker you come across here. However, he is now moved to Kanpur Zoo.
In a recent statistics, Jim Corbett is found to have the tiger reserved with most number of tigers in India.
Reasons To Book Your Holiday With WildTrails–
- Dedicated platform for wildlife holiday.
- No travel agent commission involved. Direct price from the resorts, hence, the best price in the market.
- No middlemen, no additional commissions, no unnecessary markups, the best competitive rates you can ever get, and the best part is you connect directly with the Resorts/Hotels
Now you have the complete travel guide to explore Jim Corbett National Park, head over to our website to book your trip and have the best itinerary and packages for your adventure.
6 Mistakes To Avoid While Visiting Jim Corbett National Park
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