India’s First National Park: Established in 1936 as Hailey National Park, it was later renamed in 1957 in memory of the legendary hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett, who played a key role in its establishment.
Project Tiger: It holds the distinction of being the first national park to come under the Project Tiger initiative, launched in 1973, which aims to protect the endangered Bengal Tiger.
Location: Situated in the Nainital and Pauri Garhwal districts of Uttarakhand, India, in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Geography: It encompasses a diverse landscape of hills, riverine belts, marshy depressions, grasslands, and a large lake. The Ramganga River is the primary water source flowing through the park.
Wildlife: Famous for the Bengal Tiger (it has one of the highest tiger densities in the world), it is also home to Asiatic elephants, leopards, a variety of deer (Sambar, Chital, Hog Deer), sloth bears, and over 580 species of resident and migratory birds.
Area: The Corbett Tiger Reserve (which includes the National Park) covers a total area of approximately 1288 sq. km (521 sq. km is the core National Park area).
Contents / More Information (Visitor Details & Activities)
A typical section would include:
Tourist Zones (for Safari): The park is divided into several visitor zones, each with its own entry gate and characteristics. Major zones include:
Dhikala: Largest and most popular, known for its vast grasslands (Chaurs) and great tiger sightings; offers a Canter safari and overnight stay.
Bijrani: Popular for its beautiful landscape, thick forests, and good tiger sightings; offers Jeep safari.
Jhirna: Open all year round; offers Jeep safari.
Dhela: A newer eco-tourism zone, open all year; offers Jeep safari.
Durgadevi: Hilly terrain, known for its bird diversity and sightings of leopards/elephants; offers Jeep safari.
Phato/Garjiya/Sonanadi (Buffer Zone): Other areas accessible for tourism.
Activities:
Jeep Safari: The most common way to explore the different zones.
Canter Safari: Shared open-roof bus safari, mainly offered in the Dhikala zone.
Nature Walks/Bird Watching: Available in designated buffer areas (like Sitabani).
Overnight Stay: Available in Forest Rest Houses (FRH) like Dhikala, Bijrani, and Jhirna, offering an immersive jungle experience (must be pre-booked).
Best Time to Visit: Generally November to June. The core zones (like Dhikala and Bijrani) are usually closed during the monsoon season (July to mid-October) when the roads become impassable. Jhirna and Dhela zones often remain open year-round.
Nearby Attractions: Corbett Waterfall, Garjiya Devi Temple, Jim Corbett Museum (at Kaladhungi).
About Website (The Official Site)
Please Note: The ONLY official website for Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve bookings and information, as advised by the park authorities, is usually https://jimcorbett.co.
A description of the official website would state that its purpose is:
To provide accurate and up-to-date information about the park, its flora, fauna, and conservation efforts.
To facilitate official bookings for jungle safaris (Jeep/Canter) and overnight stays in Forest Rest Houses (FRHs) across all designated tourism zones.
To publish park rules and regulations (e.g., prohibition of firearms, walking, non-biodegradable littering, etc.) to ensure responsible ecotourism.
To offer transparency in pricing, permits, and conservation updates.