Jim Corbett National Park
About Corbett
Jim Corbett National Park is located in the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand. Established in 1936 as Hailey National Park, it was renamed after Jim Corbett in 1957. The park became part of Project Tiger in 1973.
Corbett National Park covers about 520.82 sq km and forms the core of the larger Corbett Tiger Reserve, which covers 1,288.31 sq km. The reserve spreads across the Nainital, Pauri Garhwal and Almora landscape and includes forests, grasslands, rivers and valleys.
The park is known for its Royal Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, leopards, deer, crocodiles and rich birdlife. The Ramganga river system adds wetlands, riverine forests and important habitat for aquatic wildlife.
1,288.31 sq km
Corbett Tiger Reserve
821.99 sq km
Core Area
466.32 sq km
Buffer Area
Uttarakhand
Location
Wildlife in Jim Corbett National Park
Corbett has a wide range of mammals, birds and reptiles. Its forests, grasslands, rivers and streams support both large herbivores and predators.
Apex Predators & Herbivores (Mammalia)
Royal Bengal Tiger
Panthera tigris
Asiatic Elephant
Elephas maximus
Indian Leopard
Panthera pardus
Chital
Axis axis
Barking Deer
Muntiacus muntjak
Sambar Deer
Rusa unicolor
Hog Deer
Axis porcinus
Golden Jackal
Canis aureus
Avifauna & Forest Raptors (Aves)
Great Hornbill
Buceros bicornis
Crested Serpent Eagle
Spilornis cheela
Changeable Hawk-Eagle
Nisaetus cirrhatus
Red Junglefowl
Gallus gallus
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthis
Great Slaty Woodpecker
Mulleripicus pulverulentus
Reptiles & Amphibians (Reptilia)
King Cobra
Ophiophagus hannah
Indian Rock Python
Python molurus
Bengal Monitor Lizard
Varanus bengalensis
Indian Flapshell Turtle
Lissemys punctata
Corbett Safari Packages
Duration : 7 Days
Destination : Delhi › Corbett › Delhi › Ranthambore › Delhi
Duration : 8 Days
Destination : Delhi › Corbett › Agra › Ranthambore › Delhi
Corbett Safari Zones
Corbett Tiger Reserve currently lists eight tourism zones with separate entry gates. Safari access and opening periods vary between zones.
Zone 01
Tiger Sightings
Dhikala Zone
Dhikala is one of the best-known tourism areas of Corbett. It has grasslands, sal forests, riverine habitat and views across the Ramganga landscape.
Main Entry Gate
Dhangari Gate
BEST KNOWN FOR
Grasslands, elephants, tigers and Ramganga landscape
Zone 02
Wildlife Sightings
Bijrani Zone
Bijrani has sal forests, open grasslands and varied terrain. It is one of the main jeep safari zones near Ramnagar.
Main Entry Gate
Amdanda Gate
BEST KNOWN FOR
Grasslands, sal forests and diverse wildlife
Zone 03
Forest
Jhirna Zone
Jhirna lies in the southern part of Corbett and has open areas, forests and varied wildlife habitat. The zone is listed as open throughout the year, subject to weather and forest department rules.
Main Entry Gate
Dhela Gate
BEST KNOWN FOR
Sloth bears, elephants and varied wildlife
Zone 04
Forest & Hills
Dhela Zone
Dhela has dense forest, grassland and mixed habitats. It is another tourism zone accessed through Dhela Gate.
Main Entry Gate
Dhela Gate
BEST KNOWN FOR
Birdlife, elephants and forest wildlife
Zone 05
Forest & Hills
Durgadevi Zone
Durgadevi is located in the northern and north-eastern part of the reserve. The area has hilly terrain, forests and river systems.
Main Entry Gate
Durgavati Gate
BEST KNOWN FOR
Hilly terrain, birds and forest wildlife
Zone 06
Wildlife & Forest
Garjiya Zone
Garjiya provides access to forest areas around the southern side of the reserve. The zone is accessible from Ramnagar and is currently listed among the year-round tourism zones.
Main Entry Gate
Garjiya Gate
BEST KNOWN FOR
Forest habitat, birds and wildlife
Zone 07
Rivers
Sonanadi Zone
Sonanadi lies on the western side of the Corbett landscape and is accessed through Vatanvasa Gate. The zone has forests, valleys and riverine habitats.
Main Entry Gate
Vatanvasa Gate
BEST KNOWN FOR
Forests, rivers and varied wildlife
Zone 08
Forest landscape
Pakhro Zone
Pakhro is accessed from the Pakhro Gate on the western side of the reserve. It has forest habitat and connects with the wider Corbett landscape.
Main Entry Gate
Pakhro Gate
BEST KNOWN FOR
Forest landscape and wildlife
When to Book Jim Corbett Safari
Safari permits are limited for each tourism zone and safari shift. Popular dates can fill quickly during winter holidays and the main wildlife season.
For fixed travel dates, booking early gives you more choice of zones and safari timings.
Your resort location should also match your safari gate. Ramnagar provides access to several major tourism zones, while Dhikala, Sonanadi and Pakhro require planning around their specific entry routes.
Types of Safaris in Corbett
Jeep Safari
Jeep safaris are available in the main day-visit tourism zones. Registered safari vehicles and guides are used for park entry. Private vehicles are not permitted for tourism safaris.
Canter Safari
Canter safaris provide shared safari access to the Dhikala tourism zone. The official Corbett site lists Dhikala as a canter safari area.
Forest Stay Safari
Forest rest house stays are available in selected areas such as Dhikala and Jhirna, subject to availability and forest department booking rules.
How Many Days Do You Need in Corbett?
The ideal stay depends on how many safari drives you want and which tourism zones you plan to visit. A longer stay gives you more chances to explore different habitats.
2 Nights
Two nights work well for a short Corbett safari trip. You can plan two to three safari drives across selected tourism zones.
3 Nights
Three nights allow three to four safari drives and give you more time to visit different zones and forest habitats.
4 Nights
Four or more nights suit wildlife photographers and visitors who want several safari drives across different tourism zones.
For most first-time visitors, 2 to 3 nights with 3 to 4 safari drives is a practical plan.
Typical Corbett Safari Itinerary
A 3-night Corbett trip gives you enough time for multiple safari drives without making the schedule too rushed. You can stay near Ramnagar and choose safari zones based on your resort location and permit availability.
Day 1: Arrive in Ramnagar, check into your resort and take an afternoon safari if your arrival time allows.
Day 2: Take a morning safari, return to the resort for breakfast and rest, then take an afternoon safari.
Day 3: Take a morning safari in another tourism zone. Spend the rest of the day at the resort or plan another safari if available.
Day 4: Take a final morning safari if time permits, followed by breakfast and checkout.
Places to Combine With Corbett
Corbett can be combined with nearby wildlife areas, hill stations and cultural destinations in Uttarakhand.
Corbett + Rajaji
Corbett and Rajaji offer two different wildlife landscapes in Uttarakhand. The combination works well for travellers interested in tigers, elephants and forest habitats.
A 5 to 7-night itinerary allows time for safaris in both reserves.
Corbett + Ranthambore
Combine Jim Corbett and Ranthambore for a longer tiger safari trip covering two different landscapes, forests, and wildlife habitats across northern India.
Corbett + Nainital
Corbett and Nainital make a popular combination of wildlife and Himalayan hill scenery. A 4 to 6-night itinerary gives enough time for safaris in Corbett and a stay in Nainital.
How to Reach Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett is well connected by road and rail. Ramnagar is the main gateway to the reserve and the nearest railway station. Pantnagar is the closest airport, while Delhi provides more flight options and a direct road connection to Ramnagar.
By Air: Delhi Airport
Pantnagar Airport is the nearest airport, around 80 km from Ramnagar. Delhi Airport is a practical option for travellers arriving from other Indian cities because it offers more flight connections, followed by a road transfer to Corbett.
By Rail: Ramnagar Railway Station
Ramnagar is the nearest railway station and is connected with Delhi and other cities. Taxis and local transfers are available from the station to nearby resorts and safari gates.
By Road: From Major Cities
Ramnagar is well connected by road with Delhi, Moradabad, Nainital, Haldwani, Bareilly and other northern Indian cities. Delhi to Ramnagar is around 240–260 km by road, depending on the route.
Gate Distance Reference from Delhi
Amdanda Gate
~250 km
Approx. 5 - 6 hrs drive
Dhangari Gate
~265 km
Approx. 5.5 - 6 hrs drive
Garjiya Gate
~250 km
Approx. 5 - 6 hrs drive
Durgadevi Gate
~270 km
Approx. 5.5 - 6.5 hrs drive
Transfers to Corbett
We can arrange comfortable transfers to Jim Corbett from Delhi, Pantnagar, Ramnagar and other nearby destinations, including your resort and safari gates.
Transit Table from Primary Departure Hubs
Travelers can reach their safari lodge comfortably through convenient air and high-speed rail routes.
| Origin City | Transit Mode | Approx. Travel Time | Main Access | Recommended Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Delhi (DEL) | Flight + Road | Flight + 5–6 hrs road | Ramnagar / Amdanda | Flight + Private Transfer |
| Mumbai (BOM) | Flight + Road | Flight + 5–6 hrs road | Ramnagar / Amdanda | Flight + Private Transfer |
| Hyderabad (HYD) | Flight + Road | Flight + 5–6 hrs road | Ramnagar / Amdanda | Flight + Private Transfer |
| Delhi | Road | ~6 hrs | Ramnagar | Private Vehicle |
| Ramnagar | Road | ~15–45 min | Amdanda / Dhangari / Dhela | Private Transfer |
| Pantnagar | Road | ~2–3 hrs | Ramnagar / Amdanda | Private Transfer |
| Kathgodam | Train + Road | ~2–3 hrs | Ramnagar | Private Transfer |
| Nainital | Road | ~1.5–2 hrs | Ramnagar / Dhangari | Private Transfer |
| Moradabad | Road | ~2–2.5 hrs | Ramnagar | Private Transfer |
Best Time to Visit Corbett
The main tourism season in Corbett runs from October to June, with different zones following different opening periods. The official Corbett site currently lists Jhirna, Dhela and Garjiya as year-round zones, while Bijrani, Dhikala, Durgadevi, Sonanadi and Pakhro have seasonal opening periods.
Peak Season
February – April
The weather becomes hot and dry, and animals often use water sources during the hotter part of the season. Morning safaris are more comfortable than later drives.
Comfortable Season
November – January
The weather is cooler and pleasant for safari drives. Winter mornings can be cold, especially in December and January.
Monsoon Buffer Season
May - October
Heavy rain affects forest roads and safari operations. Several tourism zones remain closed during this period, while some zones may operate subject to current forest department rules.
| Monthly Temperature & Tiger Activity Matrix (°C) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metric | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Min Temp (°C) | 7 | 9 | 13 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 17 | 13 | 9 |
| Max Temp (°C) | 20 | 23 | 28 | 34 | 38 | 37 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 22 |
| Core Gates Status | Open | Open | Open | Peak | Peak | Peak | Closed | Closed | Closed | Open | Open | Open |
Why Visit Corbett
Jim Corbett offers a mix of sal forests, grasslands, rivers and hills. The reserve supports tigers, elephants, leopards, deer, crocodiles and hundreds of bird species.
Tiger Safari
Corbett is one of India's best-known tiger landscapes. The reserve forms an important tiger habitat in the Shivalik-Gangetic landscape.
Asiatic Elephant
Large herds of Asian elephants occur across the Corbett landscape. Grasslands, river valleys and forest areas provide important elephant habitat.
Ramganga River
The Ramganga river system runs through the reserve and supports riverine habitats, crocodiles, gharials and water-dependent wildlife.
Forests & Grasslands
Corbett has sal forests, grasslands, riverine areas and hilly terrain. These habitats support a wide range of mammals and birds.
Corbett Safari Tips for First-Time Visitors
- Book your safari permits early, especially for winter holidays and the main wildlife season.
- Match your resort with your safari gate. Amdanda, Dhangari, Dhela, Durgadevi and other gates are in different parts of the reserve.
- Plan multiple safari drives. Three to four safaris give you more opportunities to explore different zones and habitats.
- Carry the ID used for your booking. Keep the original ID with you for verification at the entry gate.
- Carry warm clothes for winter mornings. Summer afternoons can be hot, so dress according to the season.
- Follow forest rules. Stay inside the safari vehicle, keep noise low and follow the permitted safari route.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jim Corbett National Park famous for?
Jim Corbett is famous for its Royal Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, sal forests, grasslands, rivers and rich birdlife.
Which is the nearest airport to Jim Corbett?
Pantnagar Airport is the nearest airport to Ramnagar, around 80 km away. Delhi is another practical option because of its wider flight connections.
Which is the nearest railway station to Jim Corbett?
Ramnagar Railway Station is the nearest railway station and the main rail gateway to Corbett.
How far is Jim Corbett from Delhi?
Ramnagar is around 240 km from Delhi by road on the route through Moradabad and Kashipur. The exact distance and travel time vary with the starting point and road conditions.
Is Dhikala open for day jeep safari?
Dhikala follows a different tourism system from the other day-visit zones. The current Corbett site lists canter tours for Dhikala day visits, while forest rest house stays are also available subject to booking.