Jim Corbett, the oldest national park in India, is among the most popular tiger reserves in the country.
It was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park to protect the endangered Bengal tiger. Located in the Nainital and Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, the tiger reserve is a part of the bigger Project Tiger initiative. It was named after British hunter and naturalist Jim Corbett. Spread across 520.8 sq km, the tiger reserve comprises a diverse landmass that includes hills, riverine belts, marshy depressions, and grassland. The tiger reserve also has a large lake. 73% of the tiger reserve is a forest area, whereas 10% is grasslands. The tiger reserve is home to over 110 tree species, 50 species of mammals, 580 bird species, and 25 reptile species.
Jim Corbett has evolved as a leading ecotourism destination in the recent few years. Several leaders have made attempts before and after the independence to save the forest and preserve its ecological balance that has been facing serious challenges due to the increasing tourism in the region. When choosing a wildlife destination for spending the holidays, Jim Corbett is among the first few places that come to people’s minds. Dotted with numerous luxurious wildlife resorts, Jim Corbett boasts of natural beauty, a calm atmosphere, and hypnotizing landscapes.
Also known as the “Paradise of Tigers,” Jim Corbett is located on the foothills of the Himalayas, which makes it a wonderful location for spending your holidays amidst the beauty of nature. The tiger reserve has been divided into six tourism zones for better administration. The largest and the most popular zone in reserve is the Dhikala zone, followed by the Bijrani zone. A tiger reserve is a perfect place for sighting different animals and a great spot for bird watchers.
How to reach:
Jim Corbett is easily accessible from all the major cities of the country, including Delhi. You need to reach Ramnagar to visit the tiger reserve, and it is located just 260 km from the national capital. Ramnagar is well connected to the road, and it will take a 6-hour drive for you to reach there.
Rail connectivity is also good to Ramnagar, which is 12 km away from the tiger reserve. A direct train named Ranikhet express runs from Delhi to Ramnagar. The boarding time for the train in Delhi is 10:50 pm, and you will reach Ramnagar at 4:35 am the next day. Another option is to reach Kathgodam by train and take a cab for Ramnagar from there.
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You can also reach Nainital via road, stay the night there, and start Ramnagar the next day. Visiting Jim Corbett Tiger reserve can be a part of your long holiday trip. You can club it with several other scenic places in Uttarakhand state as the entire state is a tourist destination in itself.
You can do several things at Jim Corbett that include Jeep Safari, Elephant Safari, Camping, Trekking, Fishing, Mountain Biking, River Crossing, River Rafting, Rock Climbing, and Bird Watching. It is a perfect place to spot various animals in one place. If traveling in groups, you can also try camping, walking by the river and taking, etc. If you are totally new to the region, you can also customize tour packages provided by different tour agencies.
Among the best things to do in Jim Corbett is watching the cascading Corbett Waterfall falling down in its full glory. River Rafting on the mighty Kosi river is another activity that can give you an adrenaline rush as you make your way amid the violent stream cutting rocks with its flow with lush green mountains at the backdrop.
But the best thing is getting a glimpse of the world-famous Royal Bengal TIger. The best zone to spot the mighty beast is the Bijrani range. You can also plan your stay at the Dhikala forest lodge. You can get to see animals like deers from the lodge itself. You need a minimum of two to three days to cover the major parts of the tiger reserve.
