Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest National Park in India and is nestled in the Himalayan foothills. There is a wide variety of flora and fauna available here, and the tigers are an attraction that enthusiasts from all over the world come throughout the year to witness in their natural habitat. The park was established in the year 1936 and it was then called Hailey National Park. The park is one of the few spots where you can witness the Royal Bengal Tiger in its natural habitat. The much-appreciated Project Tiger was launched at this very National Park in the year 1973.
The park is located in the state of Uttarakhand in North India, along the Ramganga River. The overall number of species of flora in this park is over 600. They are spread across 500 sq km of different terrains, from the hills and marshlands to lakes, streams, and grasslands. There are 5 major zones that the park is divided into – namely, Bijrani, Dhikala, Jhirna, Dhela, and Durga Devi. A jungle safari is the most exciting activity for any traveler during a visit to Jim Corbett National Park. Numerous luxury resorts within the premises of Jim Corbett National Park make your visit to the place very comfortable.
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The Park is strategically divided into 5 parts, all of which are similar to each other, yet unique in their own way. While there are greater chances of witnessing elephants in one due to marshlands, one might get to see a tiger during a jungle safari in the other owing to the presence of water bodies. Let us understand the different zones and what we should know about them.
The tourist zone has been created so that tourists can get a feel of the place, and understand the flora and fauna of the area. Visitors will be close to animals here, and they can walk around freely without any specific restrictions.
This is located at a distance of 1 km from Ramnagar and has vast lush green surroundings. You have a good chance at spotting a tiger if you’re taking a safari in the Bijrani Zone.
It is located at a distance of 16 km from Ramnagar and is open throughout the year.
This zone is located at a distance of 13 km from Ramnagar. The special feature of this zone is that it offers some buffer area for the tourists. There is rich biodiversity and endless greenery here.
One should plan an overnight stay in this area to understand and experience the feel of the zone. It is at a distance of 18 km from Ramnagar and has rich biodiversity.
The chances of spotting a tiger in the Durga Devi Zone are less. However, you may choose to do a jungle safari in this area to get a view of exotic birds. The distance from Ramnagar is 36 km, and you will be able to book a safari through this zone with great ease, as compared to the other zones.
As many as 600 species of trees can be found in Jim Corbett National Park spread out across the 521 sq. km. area of the park. There are different kinds of trees, from bamboo and shrubs to climbers, etc. The reserve has ample freshwater as well as alpine flora. The predominant species of trees here is Sal as Sal trees cover almost 75% of the total National Park. However, bamboo is also found in abundance in some areas. Chir Pine is the only conifer that one can spot in this region. There are numerous other species of tree in Jim Corbett National Park; however, they can only be seen sparsely. Apart from these, there are several flowering trees like Kachnar, Semal, flame of the forest and Dhak.
Fauna is in abundance in the Jim Corbett National Park, and it is home to numerous endangered species including Asiatic Elephant and Gharial. However, the main attraction is the King of the Jungle – the Royal Bengal Tiger, which attracts tourists, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts from across the world. People spend hours every day in the jungle trying to capture the tiger in its natural environment. The other species that one can expect to encounter during their visit to Jim Corbett National Park are Asiatic Black Bear, Hog Deer, Walking Deer, Sambar, and Sloth. Apart from these, numerous birds migrate from different parts of the globe, especially during the winters. Some of these are great pied hornbill, white-backed vulture, peacocks, Hodgson’s bushchat, orange-breasted green pigeon, pallas fish eagle, golden oriole, fish owl, and Indian Pitta to name a few. There are also some reptiles in the region such as King Cobra and Mugger Crocodiles.
Visitors can book jungle safari through any of the five different zones of Jim Corbett – namely, Bijrani, Jhirna, Dhikala, Dhela, and Durgadevi. Ideally, booking a safari should be done in advance, so that you do not miss out on the opportunity and also so that the documentation, etc. are in place beforehand. There are morning and afternoon timings of the Safari, and the timings may change depending on the season. The price may vary for Indians and foreign nationals. An equal number of safari vehicles are allocated in all zones, and chances of sighting a tiger are there in each zone. However, it is recommended to try to get a safari in the Bijrani, Jhirna, or Dhikala range for higher chances. Durgadevi is mostly popular for bird sighting.
Different times are ideal to visit Jim Corbett National Park, depending on the purpose of your visit. Summers are an ideal time for sighting tigers, as they are often found close to the water reserves. However, for bird watching, winter is a favorable time. For tourists who want a leisurely stay, winter and early summer may be a good time. Apart from this, tourists may also choose to visit during the monsoon months as the rains in the forest are pleasant.
Summer temperatures range between 32 degrees to 42 degrees and the summer lasts from March to June. July is marked by the onset of monsoons, and monsoons are in full flow during August and September. There is a perceptible drop in temperatures, and the humidity is between 60-70 percent. During this period, most of Jim Corbett National Park is closed for jungle safaris. However, 2 zones are generally open, which is at the discretion of the government. Winter starts in October and lasts till February. The temperatures can fall to under 5 degrees during the winters, and the humidity gets close to 50%. Days are pleasant and tourists can go for nature walks. However, nights get comparatively colder.
There are several things to do during your visit to Jim Corbett National Park, and while the region itself might seem dull at first, every day in the area can be well utilized.
Plan a jungle safari during your visit to Jim Corbett National Park. The safari is done in the morning or in the evening and is a memorable experience. One may get a chance to see many wild animals, including the tiger, and well as several rare birds.
One may choose to take an elephant ride in the Bijrani, Khinnanauli, Gairal, Jhirna, and Dhikala regions. It is a fun activity, which is loved by adults and children alike.
The waterfall is a wonderful sight to behold. Some travelers even choose to set up camp close to this waterfall, especially on full moon nights.
The Kosi River is a pristine water body, which flows through the Jim Corbett National Park. One may visit the river and imbibe the peace that nature can lend us.
Tourists may also choose to take guided nature walks in the jungle. Don’t forget to wear your walking shoes, and you might have to walk long distances. However, it is always advised to have an expert or local accompany you so that you can avoid the areas which are prone to encounters with wild animals.
Jim Corbett National Park is among the most visited destinations for tourists visiting Northern India. It is also a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts from all across the world. The very reason for its popularity is the successful conservation of various flora and fauna done here. Due to the major efforts of Jim Corbett National Park and other national parks in the county, the number of Bengal Tiger in the country has gone up significantly in the last decade. Tourists are advised to be considerate when they’re visiting Jim Corbett National Park so as not to undo the conservation efforts being done here .
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