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Wildlife Safaris in Corbett National Park:
Wildlife, Jeep and elephant Safaris are the ideal
way of exploring the Indian land. In fact, jungle safari
tours have added excitement and fun to the journey. There
are number of ways to cover the Jim Corbett National Park.
Jim Corbett National Park endorses Jeep Safari, Horse
Safari, Bird Safari, Elephant Safari, Fishing safari and
the Nature walk.
You can explore the richness of flora and fauna with the
Safari that unfolds the beauty of the Jim Corbett Park in
India. Wildlife Safari of this park is a delight for
adventure lovers and wildlife photographers. Away from the
confines of mundane life, the Corbett Jeep safari is a
journey into the world that is still untouched by
mechanization. The Indian wildlife safari explores the
basic wilderness still alive in the Jim Corbett National
Park. Several species of deer, sloth bear, wild boar,
fresh water dolphin, leopard, the marsh mugger and gharial
crocodiles, over 450 species of birds and the elusive,
nocturnal Royal Bengal tiger…you can find them at the
verdant Jim Corbett National Park.
Corbett National Park Wildlife Jeep Safari Timings: The park
normally opens at 0600 hrs in the morning and is open till
about 1100 hrs in the morning. However tourists who are
booked for full day safari spend the time from 1130 Hrs –
1300 Hrs at any of the rest houses inside the forest and
do bird watching, or can take rest on machaan and enjoy
the wildlife. In the afternoon the park timings
usually are from 1430 to 1730. However depending on the
season the timings change locally which the forest
authorities of Corbett National Park notify.
Best Time to visit Corbett National Park:
One can visit Jim corbett National park and do the
wildlife day safari
anytime round the year, depending upon his convenience and
purpose of visit. However the beat time to come to corbett
National park is between October to June every year.
Winter (September - March):
Days are clear and pleasant, Nights get cold. Great time
for bird-watching and Tiger sighting in corbett National
Park.
Summer (April to June): Hot
days with pleasant nights. Ideal time for sighting
animals, especially elephants and Tigers in Corbett
National Park.
Monsoon (July - August):
Humid days and nights. Great time for walks and trekking.
Because of less crowd and rush probability of sighting
animals. Good for observing flora in Corbett National
Park.
Booking Procedure of Wildlife Jeep Safari
in Corbett Park: All the Safari’s are booked by the
Forest Department & it is
completely at the discretion of the forest department.
However there are restriction of number of vehicles which can
enter in each zone and it is strictly followed . The
vehicle restrictions are
|
Zone |
Morning |
Afternoon |
Full Day Jeep Safari |
|
Bijrani |
25 |
30 |
Only 05 Jeeps can be booked for full day |
|
Jhirna |
25 |
25 |
and it
is deducted from Morning Jeep |
|
Durgadevi |
15 |
15 |
Numbers |
|
Dhikala |
No Jeep is |
allowed to the
|
dhikala without Night
stay permit. |
|
Sitavani |
No restriction |
No restriction |
No restriction |
Advance Booking of Jeep Safari at
Corbett National Park: Advance booking of Jeep Safari in
Corbett National Park is available for morning Safari’s in
Bijrani, Jhirna and Durgadevi Zones. The Booking is on
first cum first serve basis and a non refundable advance
need to be deposited with complete details of the members
going for safari. We request you to send the details well
in advance for avoiding the hassle of visit into the park
as there is a limitation of number of vehicles permitted.
You have to carry the given id at the time of safari. For
advance booking a photo id for Indian Nationals and
Passport Details of Foreign Nationals is mandatory.
Advance booking of Safari can be done
30 Days in advance for
foreign national and 20 days
in advance for Indian Nationals. However it is advisable
to place the application to the forest department the
moment you decide about the safari for better chances of
confirmation.
Photo Id : Driving License/
Voter Id / Pan card is required. One can send us the id
number, date of birth, full name and gender, date of
expiry of the ID for booking .While traveling the guest
will have to carry the same ID.
Passport Details :Passport
Number , Full Name & Gender, Date of Issue and expiry,
date of Birth, Nationality is required for Advance
Bookings of Morning jeep safari
Booking of Afternoon Jeep Safari:
It cannot be booked in advance by the third party and
permits are issued to the guests only It is strictly on
first come first serve basis and guest has to personally
travel to Ramnagar Forest Office to book the safari. The
permit for afternoon safari is issued 48 hours prior to
safari.
Various Zones of Corbett National
Park for Jeep Safari:
Durga Devi: Durga Devi is a
tourism zone within the Corbett National Park. It is a
area used for long elephant safaris and has access to the
Ramganga River for the purpose of fishing. While staying
at Corbett Wilds has got the opportunity to go to Ramganga
River for angling facilities at the Ramganga camp at
bhikiasen crossing the gate further 30 KMs in the
untouched pool in the Ramganga river. The Durgadevi
tourism zone is open from the 15th October to 30th June.
During monsoon it is closed because of the poor roads in
the forest
DurgaDevi is on the north-eastern boundary of the Park.
The entrance gate is about 20 Km away from Corbett Wild
Retreat. The Mandal range of Corbett Tiger Reserve through
Durgadevi entrance involve challenging birding species to
lookout for include the grey headed fishing eagle, crested
laughing thrush, black chinned Yuhina, maroon orile, slaty
blue flycatcher, long tailed broadbill, little forktail,
and bar tailed tree creeper. Lohachaur forest area is
known for wild elephants and the undulating terrain
provides excellent opportunity to see the leopards.
Jeep Safari at Bijrani Zone of
Corbett National Park:For Bijrani
Zone entry is through Amdanda Gate which is 4 Kms from
Corbett Wild Retreat. Corbett Wild Retreat & Bijrani has
mixed topography with thick sal forests interspersed with
grasslands. There are a large number of stream beds which
are mainly boulder strewn paths. Along the side of the
streams there are riparian forests and thick lantana
bushes due to which tiger sighting chances as compared to
other tourism zones is higher in this area. Once you reach
the Bijrani Campus you can avail the elephant ride also.
The Bijrani tourism zone is open from the 15th October to
30th June. During monsoon it is closed because of the poor
roads in the forest
Jeep Safari at Jhirna Zone of
Corbett National Park: For Jhirna Zone
entry is through Dhela Gate which is 20 Kms from Corbett
Wild Retreat. Jhirna tourism zone falls within the
southern part of the Corbett National Park. It is the only
tourism zone of the Corbett National Park which remains
open throughout the year. Its topography is mainly dry
deciduous and secondary forest with large open grasslands,
which provides allows good visibility of wild animals.
From the machans set up visitors can view wild animals in
their natural habitat. Vast stream beds and steep cliff
edges provides good opportunity for bird watching. Jhirna
Zone is open throughout year
Jeep Safari at Sitavani Safari:Sitavani is
located about 35 km. from Corbett Wild Retreat and within
the reserve forest area of Ramnagar Forest Division. It
boasts of beautiful dense forests of sal and mixed
vegetation with open grasslands and riverbeds. The safari
takes one to the ancient temple of Goddess Sita. According
to a legend, this is the place where Goddess Sita
disappeared into the earth. Sitavani Zone is open
throughout year. Sitavani is a part of Corbett buffer zone
and there is a gated entrance but does not require any
special permits to venture inside.
Sitavani forest offers ample birding opportunities in the
surrounding thick sal and mixed forest. Preferably early
morning drive is the best to view wildlife like tiger,
sambar, barking deer, porcupine, King cobra and lots more.
Sitavani is well known to have visiting wild elephants and
tiger all round the year as both the animals frequently
visit river kosi for water and get across to raid the
crops and lift the domestic animals from the village
Canter Safari to Dhikala Zone: It is
a picturesque location at the edge of a grassy plateau
perched high above the Ramganga reservoir and set into a
bend in the river. The famous grasslands of the Dhikala
chaur disappear into the dense sal forests at the foot
hills in the region. This is indisputably rated as a
favourite viewing area to the visitors here. The Dhikala
tourism zone is open from 15th November to 15th June. This
is an area with very high restrictions as far as tourism
is concerned.
Day visits to Dhikala are only through canters (an open
bus with gallery seating)which are arranged by the forest
department. For overnight stays visitors can take their
own vehicles.
The Vehicle Timings are 0600 Hrs – 1200 Hrs and 1100 Hrs –
1700 Hrs. There are two canters each of 14 seats in during
both morning and afternoon.
Jeep Safari to Bhownkhal Located
in the foothills of the lower Himalayas, Bhowankhal falls
on the border of the Kumaon and Garhwal region. The safari
goes around the periphery of Corbett Tiger Reserve and
takes one through the dense forests, picturesque
landscapes and river beds. It is situated at a distance of
around 30 km. from the retreat.
The safari provides a very scenic drive dotted along the
way by typical Kumaoni/Garhwali villages. From a place
called ‘Kaath Ki Nau’ one can view the breathtakingly
beautiful Himalayan ranges.
Elephant Safaris in Corbett National
Park: Journey on
the Elephant back is the most exclusive safari through the
Corbett National Park, India's first and one of its finest
Tiger Reserve. These safaris not only make it possible to
view wildlife from the back of an elephant, but perhaps
more importantly, provide the unique opportunity to share
a day in the life of the elephant. Whether it's game
viewing from their backs, picnicking with them in the
bush, grooming, feeding or swimming with them, or simply
experiencing the pleasure of being close to such
magnificent animals, the encounter is truly unforgettable.
The Safari starts from the Northeastern side of the
reserve from the Durgadevi gate and continuous along the
northern boundary ending at Halduparao on the northwestern
boundary. Besides traveling on the elephant the tour plan
includes various activities including Game drives into the
national park and Bird watching hikes, Village visits,
Visits to various tribes in the area, learning to ride the
elephant, elephant baths to name a few.
Angling Safaris in Corbett National
Park : Right
outside and flowing into Corbett Tiger Reserve, the
Western Ramganga is a classic springfed mahseer river.
This is one of the few rivers where a Grand Slam of
Mahseer, Indian Trout and Goonch is possible in the same
day- you just need to get away from the pet fish and
resort side pools. Combine a trip to the park to complete
the Indian jungle experience- it's not unusual to fish
alongside tigers sometimes. Best fishing, early February
till early June and then October till mid-November.
Eastern Ramganga Big, fast mahseer. Not fishable without a
planned expedition, the righteous Eastern Ramganga
itinerary takes one along pools fished maybe twice a year.
The fishing is preserved by lack of habitation and its
ills. This trip is not for the slight of constitution or
the short of time. Balaghat gorge is our personal
favourite- this is one of those places where the biggest
fish are always seen but never seem to take. One of these
days one of us is going to get really lucky and possibly,
even land a record fish. Best fishing, March till early
June and then in end September till late October,
depending on the rains.
Bird Watching Safaris in Corbett
National Park: Birds
occupy a very significant place in Indian culture and
tradition. The steed of Lord Vishnu, the Preserver of the
Universe, is a giant bird. The epic Ramayana tells of a
bird injured trying to rescue the kidnapped wife of Lord
Rama. The bird song of the koel signifies the end of
winter. The cawing of a crow indicates the arrival of
guests - the inclusion of birds in myths and superstitions
is endless. And no wonder - there are more than 1200
species of birds in nearly 2100 forms native to India with
a large number of migratory birds visiting during the
winter months. No wonder ancient love songs tell of birds
carrying messages to the distant beloved! There are a
number of wildlife sanctuaries in the country where the
bird enthusiast can see the wonder of Indian avian life.
For instance, the Bharatpur bird sanctuary whose marshes
provide a huge breeding area for native water birds and a
temporary home to a large number of migratory birds,
including the Siberian crane in the winter months. The
adjoining Thar desert boasts of the Great Indian bustard
while the Corbett National Park in the foothills of the
Himalayas houses 585 species of birds, greater than the
total number of bird species found in Europe, in an area
of just about 520 sq km. In Andaman and Nicobar’s six
national parks and over ninety wildlife sanctuaries, about
250 species and sub-species of birds can be seen. Some of
the wildlife sanctuaries a keen birdwatcher should visit
and the birds which can be seen there are described below.
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