Jungle Safari in Jim Corbett National Park

Jungle Safari, Jim Corbett National Park Overview

The jungle safaris at Jim Corbett are organised once in the morning and in the evening. Divided into five tourism zones, each zone has a restriction on the number of vehicles allowed within at a given point in time. There are two types of safaris at Jim Corbett National Park - Jeep Safari and Canter Safari.

The Canter Safari is only available for the Dhikala zone, the core area of the park. The likelihood of spotting the famed Bengal tiger is highest in this region. Apart from the canter safari, only those visitors staying at the forest lodge in the Dhikala zone are permitted to explore the area through a jeep safari. The Jeep Safari is the most popular safari choice at the park and is an available option to explore four out of the five zones at the reserve, with the exception being the Dhikala zone. There is a maximum of 6 people allowed per jeep, and the number of jeeps in each zone cannot cross a certain limit at any given point in time. This limit varies from region to region.

For the updated tariffs, rules and timings, please check Corbett National Park

Jeep Safari Timings

Safari Zones	Dates	Timings
Birjani Zone	15 Oct - 15 Nov	6:30 AM - 1:00 PM
	16 Nov - 15 Feb	6:30 AM - 1:00 PM
	16 Feb - 31 Mar	6:00 AM - 1:30 PM
	1 Apr - 15 May	5:45 AM - 2:30 PM
	16 May - 39 June	5:45 AM - 2:30 PM
Jhirna Zone	15 Oct - 15 Nov	6:00 AM - 1:30 PM
	16 Nov - 15 Feb	6:30 AM - 1:00 PM
	16 Feb - 31 Mar	6:00 AM - 1:30 PM
	1 Apr - 15 May	5:45 AM - 2:30 PM
	16 May - 30 June	5:30 AM - 2:30 PM
	1 July - 14 Oct	6:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Dhela Zone	15 Nov - 15 Feb	6:30 AM - 1:00 PM
	16 Feb - 31 Mar	6:00 AM - 1:30 PM
	1 Apr - 15 May	5:45 AM - 2:30 PM
	16 May - 30 June	5:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Durga Devi Zone	15 Nov - 15 Feb	6:30 AM - 1:00 PM
	16 Feb - 31 Mar	6:00 AM - 1:30 PM
	1 Apr - 15 May	5:45 AM - 2:30 PM
	16 May - 30 June	5:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Safari Zones in Corbett National Park

Dhikala Zone
The Dhikala zone is the most significant zone situated in the periphery of the Patil Dun valley. This is considered the best zone for tiger spotting within the reserve. One can also see wild elephants, spotted deer, wild pigs, hog deer, and barking deer around this area.

There are no jeep safaris available to day visitors here, and one must avail the canter safari option to explore the place.
Only 2 canter buses are allowed in the zone at any given point in time.
This zone is open to tourists between 15th November and 15th June.

Bijrani Zone
With a similar topography to that of the Dhikala zone, the Bijrani zone matches the great natural beauty seen throughout the park. This is a great zone to see tigers and allows tourists to avail the jeep safari option.

Only 30 jeeps are allowed to be in the zone at any point in time.
The zone is open to tourists between 15th October and 30th June.

Jhirna Zone

Located at the southern edge of the park, this is the prime location within the area to witness wild bears roaming freely about. One is also privy to viewing wild elephants, sambar, various species of deer and a range of bird species looming about.

This zone allows tourists to avail the jeep safari option.
Only 30 jeeps are allowed to be in the zone at any point in time.
The zone is open to tourists all year round.

Dhela Zone
Dhela Zone is the eco-tourism zone that sprawls over an area 1173 hectares. It is situated 20 km away from Ramnagar, right beside the Jhirna Safari Zone. Ideal for bird watching, the area within the reserve is typically the best for spotting elephants, leopard, tigers, bears, nilgai, species of deer, reptiles and birds.

15 jeeps are allowed in one shift with an average of 180 tourists visiting a day.
Open throughout the year depending on the weather conditions.

Durga Devi Zone

Durga Devi Zone is the hill safari zone lying on the north-eastern boundary of the national park. 28 kms from Ramnagar, is the Durga Devi entry gate, which leads you to the undulating terrain of picturesque wildlife. If you're a bird watcher, then this is a paradise for you. Be it the grey-headed fishing eagle, Maroon Orile, chinned yuhina or a long-tailed broadbill, Durga Devi Zone has it all. The famous Mahasheer fish can be found in the waters of the Ramganga River.

Tourists are provided with a maximum number of 11 jeeps for the safari, as well as the Lohachaur forest guest house if you wish to have a one night stay.
Durga Devi Zone remains closed during monsoon.
The best time to visit the zone is from 15th November to June.

Additionally, the Corbett Tiger Reserve also holds the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as the Sitabani Zone, though this falls outside the Corbett National Park.

Best Time To Visit Corbett National Park

The period between November and February is considered the ideal time to visit the Corbett Tiger Reserve, as all the zones of the park may be visited during this time.

Read more here.

How To Reach Corbett National Park

Situated at an approximate distance of 260 km from Delhi, the Jim Corbett National Park is at close quarters to Ramnagar. The town is well connected by railways and road to major cities like Nainital, Moradabad and Delhi. The nearest domestic airport is 50 km from Corbett National Park at Phoolbagh, and the nearby railway station is 12km from the park.

Read more here.