Corbett National Park – The Complete Travel Guide

The Jim Corbett National Park is famous for Bengal Tigers and is known as a Paradise of Tigers in India. Located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, it is the oldest National Park of the country.

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About Corbett National Park

The Jim Corbett National Park, was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park to protect the endangered Bengal tiger. It is the country’s oldest national park. It spans across an area of 520 square kilometers including hills, marshy depressions, a large lake, grasslands, etc. 

Where is Jim Corbett National Park?

The Jim Corbett National Park is located at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. 

Facts

  • The Jim Corbett National Park is famous for Bengal Tigers and is known as a Paradise of Tigers in India.
  • It is named after the legendary tiger hunter turned naturalist Jim Corbett.
  • It is the first Tiger Conservation Project in India.
  • It is home to more than 110 species of trees, 580 species of birds, 50 species of mammals, and 25 species of reptiles.
  • Around 73% of the park’s area is covered with trees and only 10% is grassland.

Flora in Jim Corbett National Park

The Jim Corbett Park is blessed with alpine and fresh-water flora. There are multiple habitat types in the region occupied by Khair-Sisso forests, Sal forests, Chaur, Mountains, rivers, and streams and their distinct plants. There are believed to be more than 600 species of plants in the area. Corbett is dominated by Bamboo forests. It also has a wide variety of flowering trees and shrubs.

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Fauna in Corbett National Park

The Corbett National Park is home to some majestic animals like the Royal Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Elephant, etc. It also houses other mammals like Asiatic Black Bear, Hog Deer, Walking Deer, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Yellow-throated marten, and Otters, etc. The park also has a variety of aqua-fauna and birds like the great pied hornbill, white-backed Vulture, orange-breasted green pigeon, Pallas fish eagle, golden oriole, tawny fish owl, Indian pitta, and reptiles like the critically endangered Ghariyal, mugger Crocodiles, the king Cobra, etc.

About safari

The Jim Corbett Safari is popular since it is the first Tiger preservation zone in the country. The park is divided into five zones namely Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Dhela, and Durgadevi. You can opt for a Jim Corbett Jeep Safari, Canter Safari, or Elephant Safari to experience the wildlife in the region. Here are some details that you need to know about a safari in the national park

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Jim Corbett Safari Booking

If you are looking for a Corbett safari booking, you need to choose the zone and the timings based on the season. The forest officials manage the bookings based on the guidelines of the Indian Forest Department.

Corbett Safari Zones

There are five zones in the National Park:

  1. Bijrani Zone – popular for spotting tigers
  2. Jhirna Zone – for picturesque wildlife locations
  3. Dhela Zone – offers some buffer area for tourists
  4. Dhikala Zone – has a rich biodiversity
  5. Durga Devi Zone – while the chances of spotting a tiger are low, you can spot several exotic birds
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Places to visit in Jim Corbett Park

Here are some popular tourist attractions-

  • Corbett Waterfall – a 66-feet high waterfall with mesmerizing views
  • Garjia Temple – a temple on a rock placed right in the middle of the River Kosi
  • Corbett Museum – the heritage bungalow of Jim Corbett
  • Durga Mandir – an intricately designed temple dedicated to Goddess Durga
  • Sitabani Forest Reserve – a naturally enclosed site opposite the Jim Corbett Park
  • Kalagarh Dam – a beautiful dam encompassed by a picturesque landscape
  • Kosi River– quenches the thirst of a large number of animals
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Things to do in Jim Corbett National Park

  1. Take the jeep safari at the Jim Corbett and catch a glimpse of the Royal Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Elephants, and various other animals.
  2. The Elephant Safari is one of the best things to do in the national park.
  3. Jim Corbett is a great place to go camping. The best camping places in Corbett are the Corbett Bijrani Camp, Camp Corbett, Camp Riverwild Resort, etc
  4. Spend some time birdwatching.
  5. Go trekking in the permitted areas of the park.

[Also read: Places to visit near Delhi by road]

Best time to visit Jim Corbett National Park

The jungle has different shades during different seasons. Summers can be a good time to spot tigers as they tend to come out to the water bodies in the park. During the monsoon months, the insect life comes alive and can be a good time to explore a different side of the jungle. Winters are usually the best time to visit the national park since the forest is lush with flowers and the weather is comfortable too.

Places for shopping in Corbett

  1. Dhangarhi Museum Souvenir Shop for a wide assortment of knick-knacks from local handiworks and intricate wooden pieces to Corbett t-shirts and caps.
  2. Corbett Souvenir Shop for marble carvings and wooden handicrafts.

Jim Corbett Timings and Entry Fee

The National Park is closed from July to October due to the monsoon. For the rest of the year, the park is open all through the week from 6.30 am to 6 pm. The safari timings are as follows:

  • Summer season: 6.30-9.30 am and 4-6 pm
  • Monsoon season: Closed
  • Winter season: 7.30-10.30 am and 3-5 pm

The entry fee for the national park is Rs.200 for Indians and Rs.1000 for foreigners. Safari charges can be between Rs.500 to Rs.3000 depending upon your choice.

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How to Reach Jim Corbett?

The Jim Corbett national park is located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. It is connected to all important cities via a network of highways and well-maintained roads. Here are some ways to travel to the national park:

By Train 

Ramnagar railway station is the closest railway station to Corbett national park. The train station is at a distance of around 3 km from the national park. You can book a cab from Ramnagar to Corbett national park and get there within a few minutes.

By Flight

The nearest airport to Jim Corbett national park is in Dehradun. The Jolly Grant Airport in Nagpur has flights from most major cities in India. It is at a distance of around 170 km from the park. You can book a Dehradun to Jim Corbett park cab and reach within 3-4 hours.

By Road 

You can reach the national park from most major cities in India with ease. Here is the distance and travel time from some nearby cities:

  • Dehradun – 170 km and a travel time of 3-4 hours
  • Delhi – 240 km and a travel time of around 5 hours
  • Bareilly – 160 km and a travel time of around 3 hours
  • Patiala – 380 km and a travel time of 6-7 hours

Tourist places nearby

Here are some popular places to visit near Jim Corbett National Park:

Sattal 

Popular as the town of seven interconnected freshwater lakes and a haven for migratory birds.

  • How to Reach: The distance between Sattal and Jim Corbett is around 41 km. You can hire a Sattal to Corbett national park taxi and reach there within an hour. 
  • Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Sattal is during the winter months of October to June. This is because it is the migratory season and you can spot rare and exotic birds.

Lansdowne 

A popular tourist destination for a quiet evening with a bonfire and barbecue. A scenic place with mesmerizing views.

  • How to Reach: Lansdowne is located at a distance of around 55 km from Corbett national park. You can hire a cab and reach there within 2 hours.
  • Best time to visit: The best time to visit Lansdowne depends upon what you are planning to do there. Winters can be a good time to unwind by a bonfire, summer for adventure sports, and monsoon to revel in the lush green surroundings. 
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Hotels & Resorts to stay in Corbett

Here is a quick look at some resorts near the National Park:

  • Jim’s Jungle Retreat, Village Dhela, Ramnagar – one of the most popular Jim Corbett National Park resorts
  • Aahana Corbett Wilderness, Village Savaldeh, Ramnagar
  • Wood Castle Spa & Resort, Dhikuli, Ramnagar
  • Taj Corbett Resort & Spa, Zero Garjia Dhikuli, Ramnagar
  • Corbett Symphony Resort, Dhikuli, Ramnagar
  • Lebua Corbett, Village Bhakrakot, Garjia
  • Lemon Tree Premier, Garjia
  • Winsome Resort & Spa Corbett, Village Nandpur, Ramnagar
  • Riverside By Aahma, Dhikuli, Ramnagar
  • Namah, Dhikuli, Ramnagar

Witness nature firsthand by booking a car rental to take you to all these places with a local driver. Install the Savaari cab booking app for offers and discounts on outstation rentals.  

Last Updated on October 18, 2022 by blogadmin

About the author

Roaming less trodden paths, Hritika, a true mountain enthusiast, unveils the stories and secrets of uncharted territories. Her spontaneous spirit thrives on making unplanned adventures and immersing herself in the tales of the people she encounters. Her writing is a window into these hidden places, capturing their essence and sharing unique perspectives that resonate deeply with the adventurous soul. With every word, she invites her readers to join her on impromptu journeys, as she unveils the world beyond the well-known map, where every twist in the road holds a new story waiting to be discovered.

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