Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett spreads over an area of 1318.54 sq. km. Is situated in the foothills of Himalayas mainly in the district of Pauri Garwal and Nainital. Annually around 50,000 tourist visit Jim Corbett National Park. More then one tenth of these are foreigners. The visitor facilities of Jim Corbett National Park are maintained by the Tiger Reserve Management and there are no private lodges inside the reserve. There are five mutually exclusive tourism zones each having separate gate for entrance.

What to See
A total of 488 different species of plants have been recorded in the park. Over 585 species of resident and migratory birds have been categorized, including crested serpent eagles, blossom headed parakeet and the red jungle fowl — ancestor of all domestic fowl.33 species of reptiles, 7 species of amphibians, 7 species of fish and 37 species of dragonflies have also been recorded. Bengal tigers, although plentiful, are not easily spotted. Thick jungle, the Ramganga river, and plentiful prey make this reserve an ideal habitat for tigers who are opportunistic feeders and prey upon a range of animals. Leopards are found in hilly areas but may also venture into the low land jungles.

Smaller felines in the park include the Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat and Leopard Cat. Other mammals include four kinds of deer: barking, sambar, hog, Black buck and chital, Sloth and Himalayan Black bears, Indian Grey Mongoose, otters, yellow-throated martens, ghoral (goat-antelopes), Indian pangolin's, and langur and rhesus monkeys. Owls and Nightjar can be heard during the night. In the summer, Elephants are seen in large herds of several hundred. The Indian python is also found in the park. Local crocodiles were saved from extinction by captive breeding programs that subsequently released crocodiles into the Ramganga river.

Reaching Corbett:

By Air: Pantnagar is the only airport at a distance of 133 km
Internation Airport (IGIA),New Delhi is the nearest one at a distance of approx 300kms

By Rail: Pantnagar is served by two railway stations
Pantnagar Station at Nagla on the Bareilly-Nainital Highway.
Haldi Road Station at Haldi Road on the Delhi-Nainital Highway.
The other nearest railhead is Ramnagar at a distance of 51km

By Road: Corbett's main camp Dhikala and the nearest transport centre is 51km from Ramnagar and 300km from Delhi, 145km from Lucknow

Access
Information and park publications can be obtained from the reception offices located at Ramnagar, Amdanda, Bijrani, Dhangari, Dhikala, Kotdwara and Kalagarh, visitors can stay outside the reserve in hotels/ private lodges and go on day visit or halt inside the reserve in forest rest houses. Apart from three tourist complex located at Dhikala, Gairal and Bijrani eighteen other forest rest houses located inside and around Jim Corbett National Park are open to tourists.

Private vehicles can be taken inside the reserve alternatively, visitor can avail of the conducted Tour being run by Jim Corbett National Park. Private open jeeps are also available at Ramnagar, food is available at Dhikala and Bijrani canteens. Visitors are required to cook their own meals in other forest rest houses. Basic cooking utensils and crockery are available in all forest rest houses.

Best time to Visit. The best season to visit Jim Corbett park is during winters from November to February and summers from march to June. Corbett is closed for public from June 15 to November 15

Nearby Places
Ramnagar, known as the gateway to Corbett National Park is located at the foothills of the Himalayas on the bank of river Kosi. The town is well-known amongst the tourist visiting Corbett and draws lot of tourist attention because of its geographical location. The other most popular place of interest for the tourists is Nainital, known for its pleasant climate and amazing range of snow covered peaks, spectacular range of hills, giving a picture perfect look to the town. Pantnagar, the university town, is located in the district of Udham Singh Nagar.

Safaris:
Elephant safaris can be arranged for wildlife viewing at Dhikala, Khinanauli and Bijrani twice in a day at dawn and in the late afternoon. Jeep safaris are available from outside the park as well as fro Dhakala to explore Corbett.

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