Touted as one of its kind, the reserve we know as Jim Corbett National Park was established in 1936 and has the distinction of being India’s first national park. It is located in Uttarakhand and is accessible from Nainital, Delhi, Agra and Lucknow
Originally called Hailey National Park, the park was christened Ramganga National Park and renamed again in 1957 after Jim Corbett (1875–1955), the legendary British hunter-turned-conservationist, author and naturalist.
The reserve inspired the India-wide Project Tiger started in 1973 for conservation of wild tigers and saw the creation of 22 other reserves.
Safari jeeps on game drive watching huge tusker moving in the forest of Dhikala in Jim Corbett, Uttrakhand
Wildlife commonly found here includes wild elephants (200 to 300 live in the reserve), sloth bears, langurs, rhesus macaques, peacocks, schools of otters. The forest abounds with several types of deer including chital (spotted deer), sambars, hog deer and barking deer.
If you’re lucky you may also spot leopards, crocodiles, gharials, monitor lizards, wild boars and jackals. The Ramganga Reservoir attracts large numbers of migrating birds. CHECK OUT Jim Corbett Birth Anniversary Special: 5 Reasons Why You Must Visit Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand’s Nainital District
Most Safaris are scheduled between 6 am to 10 am and 2 pm and 5 pm. The best animal sightings happen in April and May when the animals venture out to the various watering holes. But do note that summers tend to get extremely hot here. If you’re not very high on sighting animals, consider visiting it between October and February. The park is shut during monsoons, staring (around) June-end for two months.
Listing image: By Stalin SM /Wikimedia commons
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN JIM CORBETT NATIONAL PARK
A lot of hotels and resorts are located close to Corbett.
The park is usually crowded during the peak season (which generally extends from October to February), so don’t forget to make reservations in advance.
Budget rooms are available at around Rs 1500 and provide reasonably comfortable accommodation.
Deluxe rooms cost around Rs 3,000 and offer air-conditioned rooms.
Suites and wildlife resorts are available in Corbett for prices ranging above Rs 4500
The Dikhala, Domunda, Sonanadi, Bijrani and Jhirna zones provide forest lodges with comparatively budget options.
The mid-range options start from Corbett Machaan for Rs 3600 per night for two people.
The Corbett Leela Vilas provides a luxurious stay for Rs 10,449 for two people per night.
There are several other options in between like the Tiger Camp, Infinity Resort, River View Retreat, Wood Castle, Pratiksha River Retreat and the Mapple Corbett.
Since all these options are available within the Jim Corbett Reserve premises, it gives you a chance being closer to wildlife.
Note that you can stay in the National Park for a minimum of one and maximum of three nights only.
BEST PLACES TO EAT IN JIM CORBETT NATIONAL PARK
All restaurants inside the Jim Corbett National Park are in-house restaurants of the hotels, which serve a wide range of cuisines.
BEST TIME TO VISIT JIM CORBETT NATIONAL PARK
The average minimum and maximum temperature of Jim Corbett National Park is as given below. The best time to visit Jim Corbett National Park is also specified.