Jim Corbett Dhela Zone Safari on a Sunny Afternoon

This blog is dedicated to my Jim Corbett Dhela Zone Safari Experience back in November 2024. Dhela Zone is one of the buffer zones of the Jim Corbett National Park located in Uttarakhand, and I went on an afternoon safari with my family through its dense jungles. Throughout the safari journey, I was amazed to see so much greenery and lush green grasslands where both rough and well-constructed roads pass through. It’s mainly situated between the primary zones and the villages that surround this region. It was started in 2014 and is one of the main demographics that you have to cross, even if you visit the Jhirna zone.

Dhela Zone is a great place to have a peaceful jungle safari experience in Jim Corbett. The entry to the Dhela Zone and Jhirna Zone is the same, so you can explore both together, given you have valid permits. It’s a package for wildlife explorers because you get to explore two zones together in the same trip. It’s a great birdwatching destination, and various migratory and resident birds populate this region. Of late, many tiger sightings have happened here, and it’s a major tiger safari location in Jim Corbett.

My First Ever Visit to the Dhela Zone In Jim Corbett

This trip marks my first visit to the Dhela Zone of Jim Corbett. I had heard of it previously from many of my friends who have visited this zone, but this was the first time I was going to experience it personally. I always assumed that since it’s a buffer zone, it has nothing significant to observe and experience. But once I visited the region, I was surprised by its beauty and environment. It was the opposite of what I had assumed initially. Although it was summer and the heat was at its peak, the overall ambiance of this region was soothing and calm. 

While I was continuing with my Jeep Safari, our guide told us that male tigers may be active in this region due to clear weather. The grassland areas are perfect for their movement, and this increases the probability of spotting one. Our guide was very experienced, and he kept on briefing us properly about everything. 

We decided to navigate the jungles first to get a better understanding of the region overall. I got to know from my guide that this region houses many trees with berries that create shade for the animals to rest. He also told me that tigers are usually active in the evening when the sun is a bit less intense. While navigating the roads of the Dhela Zone, I could also see that well-cut-out pathways are laid out in between the grassland areas so that the tigers can move freely. The view was genuinely very beautiful. Silent forests and lush green hills behind. 

Earlier, farmers in the Dhela village used to do farming in these regions, but gradually wild animals such as tigers took control of the region, and it became unsafe for them to conduct farming activities. 

Jim Corbett Dhela Zone Jungles Has Diverse Wildlife

I was getting excited to explore the deep jungles of this region and also got to know that it houses many nests on various trees. We then heard a sound of a bird that our guide termed as an alarm call, signifying the possible presence of a tiger in the region. We continued with our safari journey and kept on moving forward.

As I continued, I cherished the Jungle’s beautiful forests. The lush greenery stood out distinctly from the primary zones of Jim Corbett National Park. The Bulbul’s chirping was music to the ears. It was truly a wonderful experience.

Spotting wild animals like deer, sambal deer, and tigers is quite difficult in the Dhela zone because of its terrain and wild jungles. But the greenery of the jungles is admirable, and it soothes you down. Because these jungles help the animals stay away from the scorching summer heat, they are usually present in the deep forest areas but are very rarely visible to the outside tourists. 

We were alert and kept a 360-degree watch around us to ensure safety. On one hand, I was looking out for any wild animal that may appear, our guide on the other hand was searching for the tiger footprints alongside our road. 

Langoor & Elephants Spotted During Dhela Zone Safari

After continuing for a while, we came across a langoor who was enjoying himself. He acted carefree indicating that no tiger movement had occurred nearby. Also, it was very peaceful, and we stayed there for a while. Then we continued further towards a place where 3 roads meet and the probability of spotting a tiger increases significantly. Our jeep was the only one in this region at that time. Because of that, we could hear the noises in the jungle quite accurately. After spending quite some time admiring nature, we decided to continue with our jeep safari. We then spotted a group of elephants, which consisted of around 4 elephants which included a baby too. 

As we were approaching the evening, we decided to move out of the forest area and started proceeding towards the exit of the forest road. Since we did not spot many animals and birds during the majority of the jungle safari, we hoped that maybe towards the exit, we could find something. 

As we approached the main road of the Dhela Zone, we could see that the sun was about to set, and the view it created in the sky was truly mesmerizing. Our guide halted us at a point on the road, explaining that tigers often appear in this part of the Dhela zone. So, we stopped and waited there for a while. But we found nothing. 

Concluding the Jim Corbett Dhela Zone Safari

Then, as the sun was almost about to set, we continued moving forward and started crossing the grassland area of the Dhela zone. We spotted a few elephants at a distance. The view was nothing short of a painting and appeared as a true masterpiece of an artist. 

As our time was coming to an end, we proceeded towards the main entrance gate of the Jim Corbett Dhela zone. On our way, we spotted a monkey on the road, which looked very funny. He was standing on two legs and appeared to be observing something with sheer focus. 

We could hear alarm calls from the monkey, which might indicate the presence of a tiger nearby. Though we waited for a while, we did not spot any. The monkey, after some time, started moving towards us and then disappeared into the dense forests nearby. 

We then finally left for our Dhela Zone Forest Rest House. This safari experience exceeded my expectations. That’s because I saw so much natural beauty, enjoyed a beautiful sunset, & spent time absorbing the vibe. Everything was nothing less than an art piece.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How is Dhela Zone in Jim Corbett?

Jim Corbett Dhela Zone is best suited for those who are looking to have an offbeat and peaceful jungle safari experience in Jim Corbett. It’s a buffer zone that is best for both tiger safari and birdwatching.

How to reach Dhela zone?

First Reach the town of Ramnagar and then head to the Dhela zone gate which is shared with the Jhirna zone also. From there you can start your safari after your permits gets checked and verified.

What animals are in the Dhela zone?

Tigers, leopards, elephants, various types of deer, wild boars, and langoor are some of the top animals found in Dhela Zone.

Which is not a good time to visit Corbett?

Avoid going to the Jim Corbett National Park during monsoon. However, Dhela zone is open as it’s a buffer zone and you can go on a jungle safari during rainy season as well.

Is it better to book a morning or afternoon safari?

Book a morning safari if you are hardcore wildlife enthusiast and want to explore the nature in its most natural form. Go for the afternoon safari if you want to have a more relaxed jungle safari experience.

How to plan a Dhela Zone Safari?

Connect with the Jungle Revives team and we will help you create a personalized travel itinerary for your next Jim Corbett Dhela Zone Trip. We will take care of all the aspects end to end so that you can focus on enjoying the trip.

What clothes to wear in Jim Corbett?

Always wear neutral colored clothing during Jim Corbett Safari as they easily blend with the jungle environment and do not create any disturbance for the wild animals.

What is the Dhela Zone Safari duration?

3 to 4 hours.