Travel guide for Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park is one of the most important wildlife reserves in India. Covering an area of more than 520 sq km, it is nestled within the dense settings of Nainital district in Uttarakhand. It is also part of one of the important project of Indian govt. to protect the Bengal Tigers. The reserve was built in 1936 as the 'Hailey National Park' and later renamed as the Ramganga National Park in 1955. It was finally named Jim Corbett National Park in 1957 in the honour of the legendary conservationist Jim Corbett.

Jim Corbett was a colonel in the British Indian Army and one of the most famous hunters of man eaters during the colonial era. After his retirement, he started creating awareness among common people to protect the endangered Indian Tigers. His work towards wildlife conservation played a major role in the significant rise in the population of the Bengal Tigers.

Jim Corbett National Park is located at a distance of 245 kms from Delhi and can be reached in 5 hours by taking a Delhi to Jim Corbett cab service. This National Park is one of the largest in India with more than 550 different species of fauna and 450 species of flora. It comprises of rough hills, marshy landscapes and grasslands with enough supply of water throughout the year. The varied species of flora and the evergreen covering serves as a natural habitat for different wildlife species. Apart from Bengal tigers, visitors can spot leopards, jungle cat, barking deer, hog deer, chital, sloth, Indian grey mongoose, black bears and many other animals. The flora within the park ranges from non-flowering plants like ferns, mosses, lichens to different types of flowering plants including the dodder, exotic orchids, scarlet red flowers and several others. A large number of reptiles and amphibians like Indian python, crocodile and gharial and fishes can also be found within the park.

Elephant safari in Jim Corbett is among the most thrilling things to do. It not only allows you to closely view the wonderful landscapes and the inhabitants of the forest, but also takes you to some deep areas that are impossible to access with jeeps or open canters. Elephant Safari is an ideal eco-tour which is part of the conservation steps of the park. It is conducted under the guidance of well-trained and expert riders which ensures safety for the visitors. Elephant safaris are conducted in Bijrani and Dhikala zones two times in a day; 6 am to 8 am and then 3 pm to 5 pm.

Another exciting way to enjoy the wilderness of Jim Corbett Park is through jeep and canter safaris. It is operated only by the forest officials and is ideal for a large group of visitors.  These vehicles assures maximum safety to the passengers and visitors of all age groups can enjoy these rides. The safaris lasts for around 5 hours and takes the visitors to popular sites for wildlife spotting. Since only a limited number of vehicles are allowed to go inside in a day, it is advisable to book the safari in advance. Safaris are conducted in eco-friendly zone and littering is strictly prohibited. Visitors are recommended to carry a disposable bag for their leftovers.

Tourist activities are allowed in four different zones, called the 'buffer zones', namely Dhikala, Jhirna, Bijrani and Durga Devi zones. Best season to visit Jim Corbett is between the months of November and June. Affordable Delhi to Jim Corbett taxi service can be booked online through Savaari.com, a trustworthy provider of taxi in Delhi.