Safari Zones in Jim Corbett National Park

Home to an estimated population of over 260 Bengal tigers, Jim Corbett National Park boasts the highest number of tigers among the country's tiger reserves, making it a popular destination for travelers both from India and abroad. Afterall, there is nothing quite adventurous like spotting a tiger in the wild. Opting for a jeep or a canter safari at the national park is a safe and promising way to spot the big cat.

For the jungle safari, Jim Corbett National Park has been divided into 8 zones that remain open at different times of the year. These zones are:

• Dhikala
• Jhirna
• Bijrani
• Dhela
• Durgadevi
• Sonanadi
• Garjia
• Pakhro

Dhikala Safari Zone, Jim Corbett National Park

The Dhikala Zone is the most popular zone of Jim Corbett National Park and is the best zone to spot a tiger in its natural habitat. A landscape of open grasslands, river channels, and the wilderness of Sal trees, the Dhikala Zone is home to a number of wild animals. During the safari, herds of Asiatic elephants and spotted deer can also be seen frolicking around the jungle. Hidden within its forests, there is even a British-era rest house that can be booked for those wishing to spend the night at the national park. Offering beautiful views of the Ramganga River, the rest house was the venue for the launch of Project Tiger in 1973.

Dhikala Zone offers Canter safari for its visitors with the following timings, bookings for which are taken online:

Jeep safaris in Dhikala Zone are only accessible to those staying in the Dhikala Forest Rest House.

• Dates Open : 15th November to 15th June
• Entry From : Dhangari Gate

Jhirna Safari Zone, Jim Corbett National Park

The Jhirna Zone lies along the southern boundary of Jim Corbett National Park and is among the best zones of the park to spot a tiger. It consists of a varied species of wildlife like Bengal tigers, leopards, Asiatic elephants, and sloth bears. Brought under the tiger reserve as a tiger safari zone in 1994, Jhirna is a popular zone among Jim Corbett's visitors. Abundant with wildlife, Jhirna remains open throughout the year and can be accessed through the Dhela gate.

Jhirna Zone offers Jeep safari for visitors with the following timings, bookings for which are taken online:

• Dates Open : Throughout the year
• Entry From : Dhela Gate

Bijrani Safari Zone, Jim Corbett National Park

Located near the Amdanda gate at Jim Corbett National Park, the Bijrani Zone is blessed with a beautiful landscape of open grasslands, forests of Sal, and streams of the park's rivers. Offering a serene and peaceful atmosphere, the zone claims to be the prime destination for tiger sightings at Jim Corbett. The perfect zone to spend moments of peace and adventure, the Bijrani Zone is situated close to the city of Ramnagar.

Bijrani Zone offers Jeep safari for visitors with the following timings, bookings for which are taken online:

• Dates Open : 15th October to 30th June
• Entry From : Amdanda Gate

Dhela Safari Zone, Jim Corbett National Park

Available for safaris since 2014, the Dhela Zone is another zone that remains open throughout the year. Covering an area of more than 1000 hectares, this zone is blanketed with forests of Sal, Rohini, Haldu, Bahera, and Kusum. In the Dhela Zone, Bengal tigers, leopards, Asiatic elephants, sloth bears, and reptiles like the King cobra can be found. A popular zone for tiger safaris, the zone is also blessed with many birds, making it a delightful experience for even birdwatchers.

Dhela Zone, currently only offers Jeep safaris for its visitors with the following timings, bookings for which are taken online:

• Dates Open : Throughout the year
• Entry From : Dhela Gate

Durgadevi Safari Zone, Jim Corbett National Park

Durgadevi Zone provides a unique safari experience that showcases the beauty of wildlife. Located on the north-eastern border of Jim Corbett's Tiger Reserve, the zone does not hold back an adventure from its visitors. With the Ramganga and the Mandal Rivers flowing through it, Durgadevi Zone is known for its sighting of Asiatic elephants and otters at its Domunda Bridge. Apart from being a favorite spot among visitors to spot the big cat, the zone also provides a fun expedition for bird lovers.

Durgadevi Zone offers Jeep safari for visitors with the following timings, bookings for which are taken online:

• Dates Open : 15th November to 15th June
• Entry From : Durgadevi Gate

Sonanadi Safari Zone, Jim Corbett National Park

The Sonanadi Zone at Jim Corbett National Park gets its name from its history of being known as a site for gold mining, with its name literally meaning 'A river of gold'. Earlier a part of the Kalagarh Forest Division, the Sonanadi Zone became a part of the national park in 1991. With streams of Mandal and Palain, lush forests of Sal trees and bamboo, the zone makes for a peaceful adventure among nature. The animals in this part of the national park live freely and undisturbed due to the absence of any villages within the zone.

Sonanadi Zone offers Jeep safari for visitors with the following timings, bookings for which are taken online:

• Dates Open : 15th November to 15th June
• Entry From : Vatanvasa Gate

Garjia Safari Zone, Jim Corbett National Park

The Garjia Zone is one of the newer zones of the national park that have been opened up for safaris, yet is slowly becoming a prime destination for sighting tigers, on par with the Dhikala Zone. Providing a picturesque landscape of dense Sal trees, and vast grasslands, the Garjia Zone is also abundant with Asiatic elephants, Sambar deer, leopards, and various reptiles. Along with this, the zone, with its plethora of bird species, is also a paradise for birdwatchers.

Garjia Zone offers Jeep safari for visitors with the following timings, bookings for which are taken online:

• Dates Open : 15th October to 30th June
• Entry From : Garjiya Gate