One of the most popular and oldest tiger reserves in India is the Jim Corbett National Park, which attracts thousands of tourists every year across seasons. I have been to this place countless times, and every time I visit, I end up enjoying some of the most unique and best moments of Indian Wildlife.
Be it the Bijrani, Dhikala, Dhela, Jhirna, or other buffer zones, every trip of mine to this beautiful place has shown me the true beauty of India’s natural wildlife and why it’s something worth conserving for future generations to come. With numerous animal and bird sightings, going on a Jim Corbett Jeep Safari in the Northern region of India will be one of your best decisions.
This blog is going to be a complete guide for every individual who is planning a trip across the Jim Corbett National Park for the first time.
I have tried my best to put together all the information related to the zones, entry gates, safari timings, things to carry with you, and much more. Also, you will get to know about how to plan the perfect itinerary with Jungle Revives while visiting Corbett for the best wildlife experience of your life.
With 10+ years of going on wildlife safaris and helping individuals plan the perfect Jim Corbett itinerary, me and my team will be there to help you take care of the entire trip planning so that you can enjoy the fullest without worrying about the particulars. You can head to my YouTube Channel to experience some of the best virtual Jim Corbett Tiger Safari Trips I have undertaken in the past years to get an idea about this place and what it has to offer.
So, without any further ado, let’s get started on planning the perfect trip to the oldest and most popular tiger reserves of India.
Table of Contents
How to Reach Jim Corbett National Park
You can reach Corbett Tiger Reserve by first getting to Delhi and then opting for roadway or air travel to reach Ramnagar, the nearest town to Jim Corbett. Once you reach Ramnagar, you can either book a stay in a resort of your choice or stay in the Jim Corbett Forest Rest House located within the National Park. Personally, I prefer staying in the FRH as it helps me experience the nature and wildlife up close.
If you are travelling by road from Delhi to Ramnagar, you can take two routes:
- Route 1: Via NH9, where you start from Delhi and navigate through Ghaziabad, Hapur, Gajraula, Amroha, Moradabad, and Kashipur to reach the town of Ramnagar. Travel time will be approx. 5 hours for 250 km of distance.
- Route 2: Via NH734, where you begin your journey from Delhi, and traverse through Ghaziabad, bypass Meerut, then cross Sakoti, Miranpur, Mahadev Puram, Kotawali, and then reach Ramnagar. The travel time will be approximately. 6 hours for a distance of 290 km.
But if you want to save time and travel by flight, then you need to book your ticket from Delhi IGI Airport to either Pantnagar or Dehradun airport, which will be a one-hour flight. Post that, you can book a cab to Ramnagar from the respective airports.
You can explore the complete travel guide on how to reach Jim Corbett from Delhi put together by the amazing Jungle Revives with all the details in one single place.
What are the Various Zones of Jim Corbett National Park?
The entire national park is divided into multiple zones, which comprise the core areas of Jim Corbett and the extended buffer zones.
The main ones include Bijrani, Dhikala, Dhela, and Jhirna. On the other hand, the secondary/less visited zones include Durga Devi, Phato, Sitabani, and Garjia.
The heart of the national park is the Dhikala Zone.
I have been to many Dhikala Zone Safari trips, and with the amount of experience I have gained through my trips, I will be happy to assist you in planning your first trip to this part of the national park. In peak seasons, you will see a huge inflow of tourists and wildlife enthusiasts due to the large number of tiger sightings every year. It’s a tiger hotspot. When staying in the FRH, your Dhikala Jim Corbett Jeep Safari package will include options for both morning and afternoon sessions. It’s up to you whether you want to go for both or just any one session. But you will be charged for both the safari sessions.
I have spotted two of the famous tigresses here, which are the Ped Wali and Paar Wali. It took me the perfect combination of luck, timing, and patience to spot them, but it was a totally worthwhile experience.
Then come the Bijrani, Jhirna, and Dhela zones. You can opt for a Bijrani Zone Safari to experience the perfect combination of wild jungles, natural landscapes, and a plethora of wild animals. On the other hand, you can go for the Jhirna and Dhela safari if you prefer a quiet wildlife experience all year round and want to embrace the peacefulness away from hustling city life.
Durga Devi, Phato, Sitabani, and Garjia, are less visited areas of the Corbett Tiger Reserve.
How Many Jim Corbett Entry Gates are There to Access the Complete Park
There are multiple entry gates to access the various zones of the Jim Corbett National Park.
- Dhangadi Gate to access the Dhikala Zone.
- Amdanda gate for the Bijrani Zone.
- Dhela gate to access both Dhela and Jhirna Zones.
- Durga Devi Gate to access the Durga Devi Zone.
- Phato Gate to enter and exit the Phato Zone.
- Pawalgarh Gate for the Sitabani Zone.
- Garjia/Ringora gate for the Garjia Zone.
You can enter and exit from these gates to experience some of the amazing and breathtaking wildlife in Jim Corbett that you will cherish for a lifetime. Especially if you are a first-time visitor.
How Many Jim Corbett Forest Rest House Options are there to Pick From
Forest Rest Houses in Jim Corbett give you an option to experience the national park from within the jungle areas. It’s surrounded by hills and forests everywhere, and you can often spot many wild animals, including elephants, deer, and even tigers occasionally outside the fencing area of the campus.
The most common ones are:
- Dhikala Zone: Sultan, Gairal, Sarpduli, Main Dhikala Campus
- Bijrani Zone: Bijrani Forest Rest House
- Malani Forest House: Located just after the Bijrani Zone.
- Jhirna Zone: Jhirna Forest House
- Dhela Zone: Dhela Forest Rest House
- Phato Zone: Phato FRH
They have rooms with basic amenities, and costs may vary depending on the number of individuals staying. There are eco-friendly options for everything. The Jungle Revives team can definitely assist you in planning your stay in any of these forest rest houses for your first Jim Corbett trip.
Staying in a Jim Corbett Forest Rest House gives you better flexibility to go for both the morning and afternoon safaris. You can bypass the crowd and experience the journey more peacefully.
I have stayed in all of these Forest Rest Houses. Every single time, I had some of the best morning and afternoon safari experiences. So, I would highly recommend you plan your stay in the FRH to experience Jim Corbett up close in its most raw form.
Another thing, in few of these FRHs such as Malani and Sultan in Dhikala, you have to take your own vegetarian only food. There is no canteen available here. Non-veg food is strictly prohibited due to proximity to wild animals.
What is the Best Season for Corbett Safari
Various zones of the Jim Corbett National Park are open across various months of the Summer and Winter Seasons.
Some of the zones are operational year around even during the monsoon.
Let me walk you through the best season to plan a Jim Corbett Jeep Safari across each of the Eight Zones.
- Jhirna, Dhela, Garjia, Phato, and Sitabani Zones are open year-round.
- For the Dhikala Zone, the best season would be mid-November to mid-June. Post that monsoon takes over, and the entire area is flooded with water.
- For the Bijrani zone, plan a safari with Jungle Revives from mid-October to mid-June.
- The Durga Devi zone is operational from November to June every year.
My team will help you with the entire planning process so that you can have the best winter or summer jungle safari experience in India’s most famous National Park.
Also, the Corbett Safari Timings are:
- In the summer season, morning safari starts at 5:30 AM and goes till 9 AM. Similarly, the afternoon safari starts at 2:30 PM and goes till 6 PM.
- In the winter season, morning safari is between 6:30 to 10 AM. Moreover, the afternoon safari timings are 1 to 5 PM.
The summer season is the best time period for tiger sightings, as well as spotting many other wild animals and birds. You can do some of the amazing wildlife videography and photography as there is less visitor footfall compared to the winter season.
On the other hand, winter is the best time to visit Jim Corbett for first-time goers, as you will experience nature like never before. The temperature is low, the air is soothing, and the best time to enjoy the natural ambiance and atmosphere of the Indian jungles up North.
How to Plan the Perfect Jim Corbett Tiger Safari
To plan the perfect Jim Corbett Itinerary, I would suggest you get in touch with the experienced team at Jungle Revives. I and my team of travel experts have assisted numerous wildlife enthusiasts in planning the perfect first-time Jim Corbett Tiger Safari trip across both the summer and winter seasons.
- First of all, we will help you figure out how to reach Jim Corbett from your current location.
- Then, you will get assistance related to which zone to visit. The Jungle Revives team will help you decide between options like,
- Dhikala Zone Safari
- Bijrani Zone Safari
- Jhirna and Dhela Safari, which is open year-round, or
- Visiting other zones like Durga Devi, Phato, Sitabani, and Garjia.
- Once these are done, then our team will assist you to create your perfect wildlife travel gear. This must have items like clothing, footwear, a camera, binoculars, a medical kit, food and snacks, water bottles, documents, etc. These are some of the most essential things to carry for jungle safari in India.
- After that, the Jungle Revives team will assist you through the complete process of getting the permits to visit the Jim Corbett National Park. We will guide you through the checklist of documents needed for a seamless travel experience so that you don’t have to do any heavy lifting work of travel planning by yourself. .
- After that, I and my team will help you book the best guide for your entire wildlife journey. We will help you find verified and experienced ones from our extensive network of individuals with excellent ratings and reviews so that you can have the best tiger safari experience.
- Lastly, we will help you plan your accommodation, whether to go with Forest House or a private resort.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) / People Also Ask
How many Jim Corbett Entry Gates are there?
In total, there are 8 gates to enter and exit the Jim Corbett National Park.
How can I plan the perfect Jim Corbett itinerary since I am a first-time visitor to this National Park?
Get in touch with the Jungle Revives team. Shishir will help you end-to-end in planning the best tiger safari trip across India’s oldest/most-famous wildlife park.
Which is best for first-time Jim Corbett Visitors: the Dhikala zone safari or the Bijrani zone safari?
Both these zones are the best areas to visit if you are travelling to Jim Corbett for the first time. Chances of spotting a tiger in both these zones are high. But you may need the perfect combination of luck, timing, and patience. Plan a jeep safari with Jungle Revives in these zones by connecting with our experts.
Should I opt for a Jhirna and Dhela Safari?
Yes, both these zones are ideal for exploring the beauty of Jim Corbett National Park. They are filled with natural landscapes, hills, trees, and grasslands. Overall, the beauty is remarkable in both the summer and winter seasons. These zones are open year-round, and you can even visit them during the monsoon.
What are some of the non-negotiable Jim Corbett Rules for Visitors to Follow?
Always maintain a safe distance from wildlife. Wear clothes that easily blend in with the forest environment. Do not make unnecessary loud noises that may disturb the animals and birds. Avoid using flash photography, and always listen to your safari guide throughout the journey. Stay in the Jeep and do not leave or get down unless directed by the guide for safety reasons.
What are some of the Top tips for Jim Corbett Safari Planning for first-time goers?
Always carry a good-quality camera and binoculars for wildlife photography and spotting. Learn the fundamentals of wildlife photography. Always listen to your guide and do not show any reckless behaviour. Carry all the essential gear items with you. Carry a good-quality backpack. Do not forget sunglasses and a hat. Carry all documents with you, along with safari permits. And always opt for a 4×4 jeep as it can navigate any terrain with ease.
What should I wear in Jim Corbett?
Always go for light colored clothing and pick colors that blend easily with the forest environment. Better to wear Cargos as lowers and light colored t-shirts in summers and proper jackets in winters. Wear rugged shoes that can withstand any terrain.
What are the problems with Jim Corbett National Park?
Wildlife habitat degradation and hunting are some of the major challenges faced by Jim Corbett. Therefore, you must show respect to the wildlife and follow proper conservation guidelines while going on a safari trip.
Are phones allowed in Jim Corbett National Park?
Yes, cell phones are allowed inside the park premises. But you must put them on silent mode or low volume mode to avoid causing disturbance to wildlife. This is a must-follow guideline for first-time goers. Also, most of the time, you will be in a no network zone due to less cell phone coverage.
How much does a jeep safari cost in Jim Corbett?
To get an estimate of the precise cost of planning a Jeep Safari in Jim Corbett, you can connect with me or my team at Jungle Revives. We will guide you through the aspects involved in the booking process and the costs related to various entities. We will help you plan the best safari according to your budget.
What safety precautions should I take in Jim Corbett?
Do not carry any firearms as it’s strictly prohibited. Never engage in smoking or lighting any type of fire. Do not drive after sunset without a proper guide beside you. Maintain a safe distance from wild animals and birds to avoid causing any disturbance to them.
