Corbett National Park Travel Guide 2021
Table of Contents
About Corbett National Park
Just around 300 Km from New Delhi in the foothills of the Himalayas lies the Corbett National Park. It is one of the first national parks of India and by far one of her finest. The parks has a rich history, it goes back to days when a flourishing community lived on the banks of the Ramganga river and their remains of culture can still be found in the temples along the river. This community lived by clearing the forest in the duns. This forest remained untouched and intact until Britisher arrived in this area of India. Just in a decade of their arrival, this forest suffered severe destruction. The trees were felled mercilessly for timber until Major Ramsay in the following years took major steps to save the forest. He implemented a license for timber cutting, deployed firefighters to check on the forest fire, in some parts even cultivation was stopped.
In 1907 the possibility of creating this area into a game sanctuary was raised. It was one forest officer E. A. Smythies who then consulted Major Jim Corbett who knew this area like his backyard regarding possible boundaries for a proposed national park. During the 1930s tiger shooting was in fashion among many viceroys, governor generals, and other dignitaries visited this area – then United Provinces know as the famous terai and bhabar tracts.
However, it was through the efforts of true conservationists and some hunters who detested the tiger shikar as a massacre recommended Sir Malcolm Hailey then Governor of United Provinces to set up an area of 256 sq Km for National park which was keenly accepted by him. Thus India’s first national park Corbett National Park came into existence on 8th August 1936. In 1952 after independence, this park was renamed Ramganga National Park after its life-giving river Ramganga. But in 1957 it was renamed once more, Corbett National Park in honor and memory of the late Jim Corbett, the legendary hunter-naturalist turned conservationist. He was also a famous wildlife photographer and author of bestseller books of his true-life adventures in these parts of forests.
In the 1970s people came to awareness about the tigers that are on verge of extinction and only less than 2000 are left in the jungles hence with the help of World Wildlife Fund on 01st April 1973 Project Tiger was launched at Dhikala in the Corbett National Park.
The distance from New Delhi makes Corbett National Park one of the popular parks for wildlife safaris in India and particularly for jim corbett tiger safaris. The other nearest park after Corbett tiger reserve is Ranthambhore National Park which lies in the state of Rajasthan.
Wildlife in Corbett National Park
Corbett National Park has over 50 mammals, 580 birds, and 25 reptiles species have been listed. Corbett tiger reserve always has been and is well-known and haven for tigers. The availability of prey in abundance is a prime reason for the growth and sustenance of the tiger population.
There are four kinds of deer, wild boar, and other lesser animals for them to feed and live on. Leopards are found in the hilly areas of the park. But they are sometimes sighted when they come down to lower jungles.
The sloth bear is found in Bijrani zone. The Himalayan black bear is seen in higher hilly areas of Kanda (highest elevation point Corbett National Park). The yellow-throated martens, the Himalayan palm civet, the Indian gray mongoose, the common otter, and the black napped hare are some smaller resident mammals of Corbett National Park.
The porcupine is sometimes sighted inside Dhikala complex. Elephants are one of the major attractions of Corbett tiger reserve other than tigers. Among the four deer found inside Corbett National Park, the Chittal is known as spotted deer are the most beautiful in the world. The para or hog deer is found the near Ranmganga river or in grassland areas. The sambar deer is the largest Asiatic deer often targeted by adult tigers of Corbett national park. The Kakkar or barking deer are the smallest of the four deer species of Corbett. The ghoral, the wild boar, and the langur are other attractions of Corbett.
Corbett, Ranthambore, Agra and Jaipur Tour
12 Nights/13 Days
Destinations Covered: New Delhi – Corbett National Park – Agra – Jaipur – Ranthambore National Park – New Delhi – Fly Back
Corbett, Taj, Ranthambore and Jaipur Tour is the perfect blend of the very best of Indian wildlife in the most celebrated national parks in India. From the Himalayan gorges in Corbett National Park to the dry shrubs of Ranthambore, a Tiger safari amidst these varying landscapes is a must for every wildlife enthusiast…
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Visiting Corbett National Park
Corbett National Park is open from 15th November to 15th June. The best time to visit depends on one’s priorities of interest. There are three well-defined seasons in Corbett.
Winter: From November to February – The nights are cold averaging 5° C. Frost with some fog which lasts until Morning. The sun is pleasant and the day temperature averages 25° C. This time the park has some beautiful sunrises which one can enjoy on a morning safari. Some wildlife photographers prefer these foggy backgrounds to capture Tigers. The day throughout remains pleasant even in the afternoon safari the pleasant temperature allows one to enjoy tiger safari in Corbett national park.
Summer: From March to June – May & June is the hottest month of summers the day temperature averages 44° C. But the evening and nights are pleasant with temperatures averaging 21° C. The park is visited mostly during the hot season due to the increase in the frequency of tiger sightings in these hot months of the year. Tigers often come out to drink water or to sit in water to get rid of unbearing heat of the sun.
Monsoon: From July to October – The park remains closed for tourists during monsoon. Monsoon season receives rain between 60 inches and 112 inches. The roads leading the tiger safaris around the Corbett national park are washed out due to heavy downpours. The sun makes the jungle a steam house with humidity. The animals this time shift towards hilly areas of Corbett national park, giving a deserved rest from the attention of human eyes.
Reaching Corbett National Park
Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport at New Delhi is the closest international airport to Corbett. Corbett National Park is a mere 275 Kms, 6-hour drive from the Indira Gandhi Airport.
Railway: Ramnagar railway station is the nearest railway station to Corbett National Park. It is 40 Kms, 1-hour drive from Ramnagar railway station to Corbett National park.
Road: While New Delhi is just 275 Kms, a 6-hour drive away from Corbett National Park, one can also chose to drive to the park from Agra, located at a distance of 350 Kms, a 6-7 hour drive from the park.
Forest Rest Houses & Zones in Corbett National Park
Dhikala Zone: It is the most desired zone among the tourist. The night stay at Dhikal Forest Rest House is the most sought-after by any tiger or wildlife safari lover. Lies on the periphery of Patil Dun valley on the banks of the Ramganga river Dhikal Forest Rest House is situated in the picturesque area of Corbett national park. Dhikala is the largest zone of Corbett National Park hence it provides a huge pool of species to see on the jeep safaris. The Dhikala indeed is a very picturesque location, the famous Dhikala Chaur, the grassland of Dhikala where one can always witness mighty elephants. The paar the opposite bank Ramganga to Dhikala is a feast to the eyes of wildlife lovers. The safaris are conducted by jeep in two-shifts: morning and evening, daily. Canters safaris are day visits in the Dhikala Zone.
Bijarani Zone: The Bijrani zone stands just behind Dhikala in terms of popularity. But the grasslands, the thick sal forest, the water streams makes this zone equally beautiful in terms of topography compared to Dhikala. The Forest Rest Houses nestled in the heart of this forest make a night stay here an adventurous experience. The Jeeps safaris are conducted in the morning and afternoon. 30 jeeps are allowed in each shift.
Jhirna Zone: This zone is the last added tourism zone of Corbett National Park. Since its addition in 1994, it has become the most visited zone for day safaris as it is open throughout the year for tourists. Tiger sightings are frequently reported in this zone. Elephants and Sambar are other mammals easily sighted here in this zone of Corbett National Park. Jhirna Forest Rest House and Dhela Forest Rest House are the two forest rest houses of this zone.
Dhela Zone: This zone is the most recently added tourism zone of Corbett National Park. Added at the end of the year 2014 this zone also remains open throughout the year for tourists. This zone is popularly famous among bird watchers as it has a vast range of bird species and is considered the best zone for birding.
Durga Devi: Blessed with streams of both Ramganga and Mandal river the hilly topography of Durga Devi zone makes this zone an enchanted landscape for nature lovers. This zone also has a great variety of bird species and popular among bird watchers.
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this was our second tiger safari at Corbett with Nature Safari and turned out to be worth every penny.We saw 7 tigers in 3 days and from quite close distance too. The best part was seeing a tigress wit her 2 grown cubs who crossed our path and walked...
My husband and I had an amazing trip to MP and that was largely due to the commendable efforts of the team at Nature Safari India. Sharad Vats and the rest of his team were very prompt in answering...
We have make a trip to Corbett, Nainital, Chambal, Bharatphur, Rantambhore and Bandavargh with Nature Safari India and everything was perfect. They have arrange all the entrance, hotel, drivers, guides and means of transports, so ...
