Jim Corbett is one of the famous travel destinations in Uttarakhand, where you can plan a wonderful weekend with your family. So take a break from your hectic work schedule, & include this lovely wildlife travel spot in your travel itinerary plan. During your journey in this famous national park, some safari Zones in Jim Corbett are worth exploring.
If you call yourself a wildlife enthusiast, then you should take advantage of every opportunity to enjoy the tourist attractions in Jim Corbett with much zeal. Before you begin your exploration, let us brief you on the historical foundation behind this national park. Jim Corbett, as the name suggests, is one of the oldest national parks known in India. Earlier, it had been a territory of the Boksas tribe from the Terai for growing crops. But they were ousted by the Britishers in 1860.
The region became more prominent during the 19th century under the supervision of Major Ramsay, a British officer who took charge of the area. Then, in 1868, the British Forest Department controlled the land to forbid cultivation, & instead began operating the cattle station. After witnessing its speciality, other Britishers gave suggestions to convert it into a wildlife reserve.
Then, in 1973 came the Project Tiger initiative by wildlife preservationists & naturalists from worldwide under the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The main motive behind this project was to provide a safe habitat for animal species. The park’s name underwent many changes until it finally became Corbett National Park to honour Jim Corbett, the acclaimed author & wildlife conservationist.
Top Safari Zones In Jim Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett is a famous wildlife sanctuary & tiger reserve that is spread over 521 square kilometres. It stocks around 488 different species of plants, & 600 species of birds. The remaining are the mammals & reptiles. Now, let us bring you the list of those Jim Corbett National Park safari Zones you should visit.
Dhela Zone
Dhela Zone is the most current addition to Jim Corbett National Park tourism. The Zone was opened in December 2014 to welcome tourists eager to watch animals in Jim Corbett. However, visiting this safari tour depends a lot on the weather. A thick forest encircles it with many trees & water bodies. The animals you can see here include the Bengal tiger, wild elephants, bears, Nilgai, & many different species of deer.
- Entry Gate – Dhela Gate
- Open for Safari Tour – Throughout the year
- Maximum Number of Safari Jeep – 15 jeeps (morning & evening slot)
- Distance from Ramnagar – 15 km
Sitabani Safari Zone
Sitabani Safari Zone is now known as Corbett Landscape. It is a famous tourist spot stocked with many popular attractions. Since it does not fall under the supervision of Corbett Tiger Reserve, the rule of CTR is not applicable in this Zone. Tourists often prefer visiting this Zone when they do not get approval from Corbett Tiger Reserve. Spotting wild animals is one of the top things to do in Jim Corbett. Animals to expect here include jackals, wild boars, leopards, elephants, & tigers.
- Entry Gate – Teda Village
- Open for Safari Tour – Throughout the year
- Maximum Number of Safari Jeep – No limit of gypsies
- Distance from Ramnagar – 26.2 km
Bijrani Zone
Bijrani Zone is one of the best jeep safaris in Corbett National Park. It is one of the fantastic portions of this wildlife park as it can be noticed with its large grass fields, dense Sal forest, & river streams. At Bijrani Zone, you can keep your camera ready to capture the sights of Bengal tigers, black bears, chitals, sambars, & migratory birds.
- Entry Gate – Amanda Gate
- Open for Safari Tour – 15th October to 30th June
- Maximum Number of Safari Jeep – 30 jeeps (morning & evening slot)
- Distance from Ramnagar – 5 km
Durga Devi Zone
Located in the northeastern boundary of the Jim Corbett National Park is the Durga Devi Zone, a heaving terrain that lets travellers get the sight of Bengal tigers. Besides these famous striped beasts, leopards & other wild animals can also be seen in the Lohachaur forest.
- Entry Gate – Durga Devi Gate
- Open for Safari Tour – All around the year
- Maximum Number of Safari Jeep – 30 jeeps (morning & evening slot)
- Distance from Ramnagar – 28 km
Dhikala Zone
Dhikala Zone is the most-visited Zone in Jim Corbett National Park. It is situated on the edges of the Patli Dun valley, & is very famous for wildlife sightseeing. Being the largest Zone, you can enjoy canter & jeep safari here. When visiting the Dhikala Zone, you can view numerous wild animals, including hog deer, spotted deer, wild elephants, & bird species.
- Entry Gate – Dhangarhi Gate
- Open for Safari Tour – 15th November to 15th June
- Maximum Number of Safari Jeep – No limit of jeep & canter safaris
- Distance from Ramnagar – 19 km
Jhirna Zone
Jhirna Zone is also a prominent safari Zone located at the southern corner of the Jim Corbett National Park. It was a village that later got transformed into a dense forest when it was translocated to some other place. While strolling through wildlife safari to Jhirna Zone, animals including Sambar, sloth bear, wild elephants, chitals, & nilgai can be spotted. However, if you are more interested in seeing tigers, you can book your stay at Forest Rest House FRH Jhirna.
- Entry Gate – Dhela Gate
- Open for Safari Tour – October to Mid June
- Maximum Number of Safari Jeep – Jeep safaris (Twice a day)
- Distance from Ramnagar – 16 km
Sonanadi Safari Zone
Sonanadi Safari Zone is a tranquil wildlife haven between Jim Corbett National Park & Rajaji National Park. It houses many wildlife species, including chitals, sambhars, reptiles, leopards, & of course, the royal Bengal tigers. Sonanadi Safari Zone is one of the best places to visit near Jim Corbett to view Himalayan black bears & Albino chitals.
- Entry Gate – Sonanadi Gate, Kalagarh Gate & Vatanvasa Gate
- Open for Safari Tour – 15th October to 15th June
- Maximum Number of Safari Jeep – 15 jeep safaris (morning & evening)
- Distance from Ramnagar – 35 km
Opting For The Right Staycation At Jim Corbett
jüSTa Lazy Haven Corbett is one of the top resorts in Jim Corbett to book if you are looking for a proper staycation. Situated at Ramnagar, this luxury haven within nature is spread across a 1 acre of land, & makes a perfect example for an indulgent stay in the wild. Jim Corbett, as we all are familiar with, is a top-rated wildlife destination among wildlife seekers. Tucked away from the bustling city life, the rooms at this luxury resort are spacious & are meticulously crafted with spectacular architecture. The visitors can experience exceptional views of lush greenery from their private balconies.
Besides having a comfy experience in well-furnished rooms equipped with all modern amenities with attached private bathrooms & balconies, other prominent features add charm to your lavish stay at jüSTa Lazy Haven Corbett. These include a swimming pool encircled with lush greenery & having an invigorating healing session at its exclusive spa treatments.
The multi cuisine restaurant here gives you the advantage of savouring mouth-watering cuisines prepared with fresh ingredients. Hearing the sound of chirping birds, & watching the colourful butterflies fluttering around will make every morning a dream sequence. You can also organise special celebrations like weddings, birthdays or corporate meetings here.
Conclusion
So these are the top 6 safari Zones in Jim Corbett that attract tourist footfall to explore the exotic flora & fauna of this fantastic wildlife region. If you wish to plan for a family vacation, you should know the best time to visit Jim Corbett, from December to March. Today, in this blog, we have listed those most-visited zones within distance from Ramnagar, & the provisions available here to explore the exotic wildlife. It would help you in making a proper planning & hassle-free travel experience. Ensure your comfortable stay at jüSTa Lazy Haven Corbett, a luxurious 5-star resort in Jim Corbett, satiating all the needs of its guests.