Useful information for Jim Corbett national park for everyone

Jim Corbett is a national park located near to Ramnagar town in Uttrakhand. It is one of the most popular national park in India when it comes to Tiger sighting, as there around more than 250 Tigers as per recent census of 2020. Tourists are allowed to opt for Morning/Evening jungle safaris inside the deep forest area and it is the only Tiger reserve in India which allows people to stay even inside the forest area at the government run forest rest houses.

Flora at the park

There are more than 450 types of species of plants have been recorded in the reserve. As per the reports around 65 to 70% of Corbett area is dominated by Sal forests. The famous zone Dhikala is well known for its vast Grassland area which is favourite spot of sighting the Elephant herds.

Fauna at the park

Corbett Tiger reserve is home to around 500 resident and migratory birds species, some famous ones are Serpent Eagle, Red junglefowl, Parakeet, Kingfisher, Asian Paradise flycatcher etc. Royal Bengal Tiger is the king of the Jungle here and many other cat species can also be spotted i.e Leopard, jungle cat & fishing cat. The mammals include Elephants, Barking deer, Sambhar deer, Hog deer, Chital, Sloth and himalayan black bears, mongoose, fox and many more. Dhikala grassland is the famous area of the park to spot the herds of Elephants.

The park is to home to reptiles and famous species are India marsh Crocodile, Gharial, King Cobra, Python, Viper, monitor Lizard and Tortoise.

Safari zones in Jim Corbett

There are total 8 zones in Jim Corbett Tiger reserve as of now which are available to tourists for day safaris. These are Bijrani, Dhikala, Jhirna, Dhela, Garjia, Durga devi, Pakhro and Sonanadi. Except Pakhro and Sonanadi all other zones are close to Ramnagar and these 2 zones (Pakhro and Sonanadi) can be visited from Kotdwar near to Lansdowne.

Type of safaris and availability in various zones.

Dhikala– There are 2 types of safari options available at this zone. One is canter which is used for morning/evening safaris and available for all tourists as per the availablity, and second option is jeep safari which is available only for those tourists who make the booking at government run forest rest house.

Total– 4 canters are available for safaris in morning and in afternoon as well. Each canter has 16 seats so total 64 tourists can visit the park in morning and exact number of pax in afternoon.

12 years and above are considered as adults and full seat fare will be applicable for them. Children 6 to 11 years old can travel with adults at approx half of the adult cost. A maximum of 6 adults and 2 children (6 to 11 years old) can travel in one permit.

Dhikala day safaris are open for tourists from 15th November to 14th of June every year.

Bijrani– Only jeep safari option is available for tourists to visit the park. There are 30 jeeps in morning and 30 jeeps in afternoon available for tourists. Maximum of 6 adults and 2 children (6 to 11 years old) can travel in one jeep. This zone is open for toursits from 15th October to 30th June every year.

Jhirna– Jeep safari is the only option of visiting the park and there are 30 jeeps in morning and 30 jeeps in afternoon available for tourists. Maximum of 6 adults and 2 children (6 to 11 years old) can travel in one jeep. This zone is open through out year, however, forest department does not operate safaris on rainy days.

Dhela– Jeep safari is the only option of visiting the park. And, there are 15 jeeps in morning and 15 jeeps in afternoon available for tourists. Maximum of 6 adults and 2 children (6 to 11 years old) can travel in one jeep. This zone is open through out the year, however, government does not operate safaris on rainy days.

Durga devi– At this zone Jeep safari is the only option of visiting the park. And, there are 10 jeeps in morning and 10 jeeps in afternoon available for tourists. Maximum of 6 adults and 2 children (6 to 11 years old) can travel in one jeep. This zone is open for tourists from 15th October to 15th June every year.

Garjia– Only jeep safari option is available for tourists to visit the park. There are 30 jeeps in morning and 30 jeeps in afternoon available for tourists. Maximum of 6 adults and 2 children (6 to 11 years old) can travel in one jeep. This zone is open for toursits from 15th October to 30th June every year.

Pakhro– At this zone Jeep safari is the only option of visiting the park and there are 10 jeeps in morning and 10 jeeps in afternoon available for tourists. Maximum of 6 adults and 2 children (6 to 11 years old) can travel in one jeep. This zone is open for toursits from 15th October to 15th June every year.

Sonanadi– This zone Jeep safari is the only option of visiting the park and, there are 15 jeeps in morning and 15 jeeps in afternoon available for tourists. Maximum of 6 adults and 2 children (6 to 11 years old) can travel in one jeep. This zone is open for toursits from 15th October to 15th June every year.

Important points-
Jeep safari in Jim Corbett is not shared with other guests in any of the zone. One full jeep safari cost consists of Permit/Forest guide and gypsy hire cost.
Safari permits are non refundable and non amendable.
It is suggestible to book safari prior minimum 30 days of actual safari date in order to avoid non-availability.
During summer morning safaris start at 6:00 AM and last entry time can be upto 7:00 AM, and afternoon safaris start at 2:30 PM and last entry time can be upto 3:30 PM.
During winter morning safaris start at 7:00 AM and last entry time can be upto 7:45 AM, and afternoon safaris start at 1:30 PM and last entry time can be upto 2:30 PM.
Canter safari starts at 6:00 AM for morning shift and 12:30 PM for afternoon shift during summer.
Canter safari starts at 6:30 AM for morning shift and 12:00 PM for afternoon shift during winter
Suggestible to carry Binoculars. However, you can rent it out from the safari entry gate as well.
Always book safari prior to resort booking or make sure that sufficient gypsies are available as safari permit are always in high demand and might go sold out any time.
Jeep safari duration varies between 3 to 3 hours 30 minutes, where as, canter safari duration is 5 hours approximately.
Canter is a 16 seater mini bus (open from sides for view and covered from top).
Food, liquor, smoking not allowed inside the Tiger reserve.
ID proof is mandatory for booking and for the entry as well at the Tiger reserve. Pan card is acceptable.
Tourists can travel with infants as there is no restriction from the forest department for Jim corbett jeep safari.
Forest department does not allow pet inside the Tiger reserve during jungle safari.
During winter it is too cold inside the Tiger reserve, hence always carry gloves, enough sweaters/jackets etc.
There are plenty of private resorts available around the park, where as government run forest rest houses are inside the deep forest area. Suitable for wildlife lovers and photographers.
Canteen facility is available at Bijrani and Dhikala zone for tourists during day safaris.

We hope that you will find the above article about Jim corbett jeep safari informative and relevant. Please feel free to ask anything.