Jim Corbett National Park

India's oldest national park, where sal forests and the Ramganga valley in the Himalayan foothills shelter tigers, elephants and gharials.

Jim Corbett National Park lies in the Himalayan foothills on the border of Nainital and Pauri Garhwal districts in Uttarakhand, India. Established in 1936, it was India's first national park, and Project Tiger was launched here in 1973. Together with its buffer zone, the park forms the Corbett Tiger Reserve, covering about 1,300 sq km of sal forest, elephant-grass meadows and the Ramganga valley. It supports one of the world's densest populations of Bengal tigers, as well as Asian elephants, leopards, sloth bears, gharials and more than 600 species of birds. Visitors base themselves in Ramnagar, the gateway town to the southeast, or the Dhikuli resort strip along the Kosi River to its north. Safaris are run by zone. Dhikala has open meadows and the finest scenery, and requires booking a forest rest house for an overnight stay. Bijrani is closest to town and best for half-day jeep safaris. The Jhirna and Dhela zones are open year-round, Durga Devi is known for river-valley birding, and Sitabani in the buffer zone can be entered by private car. All core-zone jeeps and rest houses must be booked under your own name on the Uttarakhand Forest Department website, and in peak season they often sell out one to two months ahead. Fees are higher for foreign visitors, and a licensed driver and guide are mandatory. The best season is November to June. March–May, when vegetation thins and animals come to drink at water sources, offers the best chance of seeing tigers, though days are hot; December–January mornings are cold and foggy. Dhikala, Bijrani and other zones close for the July–September monsoon. Beyond safaris, you can visit the Garjia Devi Temple on a rock in the Kosi River, the Corbett Museum in his former home at Kaladhungi, and Corbett Falls. Getting there: it is about a 5–6 hour drive (around 260 km) from Delhi, or take an overnight train such as the Ranikhet Express straight to Ramnagar station; the nearest airport is Pantnagar. Stay 2–3 nights and plan 3–4 safaris.

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