Jim Corbett Dhikala Safari into the Dense Grasslands

This blog delves into my experience of the Jim Corbett Dhikala Safari in the dense grassland areas on a bright sunny day. The vast spread of the Dhikala Grasslands isn’t just a piece of scenery to admire but a testament to the unique biodiversity that exists in India. The entire grassland area is so vast that it gives you a sense of freedom, happiness, and positivity to simply enjoy and embrace the beauty of nature. It makes you admire natural ecosystems to the extent that you realize how important it is to preserve these gems for future generations. They hold the secrets of many wild animals, to whom these lush green grasslands are their home. A home where they stay in peace and in harmony with other animals. 

You must explore the Dhikala Zone and travel through its vast expanse of grasslands in a Jeep or Canter vehicle to understand how beautiful the Corbett National Park is. Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists visit here to spot a tiger as the chances of tiger sighting are high during sunny summer days. It’s one of the most sought-after tiger safari destinations in India, and both the morning and afternoon sessions are equally booked almost every time.

Jim Corbett Dhikala Safari in Grasslands on a 4×4 Jeep

I, along with my wife, Neha, recently went to the Dhikala Zone of the Jim Corbett National Park on a Jeep Safari, and to my surprise, it was an experience that I will cherish for a very long time. The vast horizons, the openness, the blue skies, the mountains far away, and the perfect summer weather made it a truly memorable experience.

We started from our Gairal Forest Rest House around 6 AM, and our guide continued driving the jeep towards the Dhikala entry gate, where the journey to the grasslands began. Once we reached there, I took out my binoculars to see if there were any elephants present at a distance, since this area is famous for elephant spotting.

Elephant Sighting during Jim Corbett Dhikala Safari

I saw through my binoculars to find any elephants in our vicinity, but the sight was clear. So, we decided to move ahead, and to our surprise, after 10 minutes of navigating, we did our first elephant sighting. It was a very large group of elephants where we could see lots of male and female elephants. We could also see numerous baby elephants. The male elephants were majestic and represented strength and wisdom. The female elephants were the nurturers who were taking care of the baby elephants. The male ones were protecting the group and taking care of everyone.

We were at a significant distance from them, and the view was amazing to look at. There were mountains behind them, which made the entire scenery really amazing that we rarely get to see in city life.

Jim Corbett Dhikala Grasslands: Hub of Natural Biodiversity

The beautiful and large grasslands of Jim Corbett Dhikala Zone are key to maintaining the biodiversity of the entire national park. They are the primary grazing areas for the elephants in Corbett Tiger Reserve, along with many others. Elephants spend the majority of their time grazing, and these grasslands provide the perfect spot for them to get their food and fulfill their nutritional requirements. Apart from that, it’s also a perfect place for the tigers in the Corbett National Park to hunt. 

Not only that, but these grasslands support various bird species residing in them, including local and migratory ones.

How India’s Changing Seasons Affect Dhikala Grasslands?

The seasons of India also affect the scenery of these grasslands significantly. During the monsoon season, the grasslands rise to their full height. This ends up attracting a variety of wild animals into this region of the national park. On the other hand, once the monsoon season completes and winter takes over, the grasslands begin to dry. This maximizes the visibility in the region for tiger and elephant spotting. Many wildlife enthusiasts visit the Corbett National Park during this season for the best experience. 

Summers are extremely difficult for the wildlife in this region. That’s because the grasslands almost dry up further, and the area becomes wide open, offering no shade or shelter at all for anyone. It’s one of the prime times of the year when people go on a Jim Corbett Dhikala Safari to spot a tiger. This time of the year also sees a lot of fires in this region. That’s because of the heat due to extreme weather.

Is Dhikala the Biggest Zone in Jim Corbett?

Yes, the biggest zone of the Jim Corbett National Park is Dhikala, which houses these grasslands and has attracted significant attention from wildlife conservationists. This has amplified the efforts to conserve and maintain its natural biodiversity while supporting local tourism.

Spotting a Woolly-necked Stork in Dhikala Jim Corbett

As we continued our trip further into the grasslands of Jim Corbett Dhikala Zone, we saw a Woolly-necked stork bird flying in front of us. It’s from the species of large wading birds in the stork family Ciconiidae. The Woolly-necked stork is one of the most beautiful and exotic birds. It’s mainly found in the freshwater wetlands or grassland areas of forests and national parks across Asia. Hence, it’s termed an Asian bird.

They usually feed on the insects that can be found in the grasslands of national parks like Jim Corbett. Around 2014, this category of bird was considered near-threatened because of their low population. Moreover, the lack of protected forest reserves also ends up posing a significant threat to their survival. This is due to external factors like poaching, hunting, etc.

Keeping these facts aside, it was a wonderful experience for me to spot this bird. Its black and white body structure perfectly blends with the blue, clear skies, creating a spectacular view. The bird looked majestic as it was quite huge. It flew with grace and elegance, stretching its wide black wings in the perfect wavy manner. I felt very privileged spotting this bird as they are rarely seen by spotters. I was joyful and continued with the rest of my Dhikala grassland safari trip.

Ending Jim Corbett Dhikala Safari at the Ram Ganga River

As we continued with our last stretch of the Dhikala Grassland jeep safari, we reached the Ram Ganga River. This river is an integral part of the Jim Corbett National Park as it’s a source of water for many wildlife animals, it helps fuel the biodiversity in the region, supporting the sustenance of many wildlife species, and helps maintain the weather in check.

As we reached the river, we stopped our jeep and stood there for a good 45 minutes. We enjoyed the scenic beauty and natural landscapes. It was so peaceful and calm. We could hear the birds chirping and the firm sound of the river flowing. It was such a serene sight that we didn’t want to go away. Since it was the summer season, the water was not that high in the Ram Ganga River, but usually during monsoons, the river fills up with water, and a significant chunk of the Dhikala grassland region is filled with water in all directions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Significance of Jim Corbett Grasslands?

The grasslands play a very important role in maintaining the biodiversity and ecological harmony in the Dhikala Zone. They act as grazing grounds for elephants, providing them with food, supporting various biodiversity in the region, and also acting as the hunting ground for the tigers. The grassland region of Jim Corbett Dhikala Zone intersects with the Ram Ganga River, too, which provides a consistent water supply to these giant elephants.

What should I pack for my Dhikala Zone Safari?

A couple of things are highly essential if you are going to Jim Corbett’s Dhikala Zone on a safari adventure. These include ample water bottles, a hat, sunscreen, binoculars, a camera, and thin clothing that is comfortable and can also camouflage you with the grasslands.

Are private vehicles allowed in Dhikala Jim Corbett?

No, you are not authorized to carry your private vehicles into the Jim Corbett Dhikala Zone when deciding to go on a grassland safari. You can only go in authorized Safari jeeps with experienced tour guides after getting the required permits. Also, the jeeps can easily accommodate 6 to 8 people along with a driver and safari guide.

How does the forest department support wildlife in the Dhikala Zone?

The Forest Department keeps a check on the wild animals in the Dhikala Zone and supports various wildlife conservation activities in the area to enable healthy biodiversity. They also prevent the poaching of animals, monitor camera traps to catch unwanted movement of individuals, and keep patrolling the areas for non-stop vigilance. They ensure all risks are taken care of that may harm these wild animals in the jungles of the Dhikala Zone.

Why Dhikala Zone Grassland safari is a unique wildlife experience?

Going on a Dhikala Zone Safari into the Grassland area will be truly a memorable experience for you because you will get to observe the vast grasslands, diverse wildlife, including animals and exotic birds, the scenic Ram Ganga River, and the beautiful landscapes across the Dhikala zone, which will create a unique experience for you in the wild nature.

When is the Dhikala Zone Closed?

The Jim Corbett Dhikala Zone is closed from Mid-June to Mid-November due to the rainy season, which results in flooding, waterlogging, and muddy terrain. All Situations which are not favourable for a Jungle Safari.

Is the Dhikala Zone heart of Jim Corbett National Park?

Yes, the Dhikala Zone is the heart and core zone of Jim Corbett and a tiger-spotting hub for tourists and wildlife enthusiasts. It’s also the biggest zone of Jim Corbett.

What is the entry gate of the Dhikala Zone?

Dhangadi Gate is the entry point of Jim Corbett Dhikala Zone, which eventually leads to the grassland areas. 

How many FRHs are there in Dhikala?

There are a total of 5 Forest Rest Houses in the Dhikala Zone where you can stay and plan a Grassland Safari on a 4×4 Jeep either during morning or afternoon sessions. 

Is One Day trip sufficient to explore Jim Corbett?

No, it’s not. You need to plan at least a 3-day trip to explore the major areas of Jim Corbett in a jeep or canter safari. The maximum can depend on your schedule and availability. Ideally, a one-week trip enables you to cover everything optimally in Corbett Tiger Reserve.