Ultimate Guide to Jungle Safari in Corbett

  • Posted on 28 Aug 2015 5:53 am by

Bestowed with vast wilderness areas, verdant landscapes and wild animals, Corbett is a perfect safari destination. Corbett Safari is a true adventure — a journey crafted in the tradition of a wealthy 18thcentury hunter, Jim Corbett who first hunted the forest plains for pictures and game trophies to hang on his house walls.

There are three modes of safari in Corbett- jeep, canter and elephant that make it one of the most desirable national parks in India for wildlife tours. Tourists’ choice of safari all depends upon their preferences. For the most first-timers, tiger spotting tops the list; for them jeep safari is the ideal mode to explore the wilderness. For the avid birdwatchers; early morning elephant ride, through the towering grasses and dense forests, is blissful. Many places boast almost all of these. Wherever you go, opportunities abound for getting to know Corbett’s people and cultures.

Guide for Planning a Safari in Corbett National Park

Mentioned below are the modes of safari that get one straight to Corbett’s best-known wildlife.

Jeep Safari – Feel the Adrenaline Rush

Possibly the best way to encompass the beauty of Corbett National Park is jeep safari. Jeep safari renders spectacular views of forests in an extremely comfortable ride. Tourists can relish the vistas while sitting on a relaxing seat that gives a unique sense of luxury amid nature’s bounty. Jeep safari is operational in four out of six regions of Corbett namely Bijrani, Jhirna, Durgadevi and Dhikala. Dhikala Forest Lodge is a forest department run house that lays in one of the most diverse safari zones of renowed Corbett National Park. Jeep safari excursion happens twice a day and remains closed between June and October due to the monsoon season. Only six people can travel through jeep, along with a driver and a travel guide designated by the forest department. You can spot animals like black buck, bengal tigers, rusty spotted cats, crocodiles, sloth bears, to name a few. Discover the exquisiteness of Corbett National Park by riding on jeep; it is one of the most preferred modes of jungle excursion for many wildlife aficionados.

Jeep Safari Zones in Corbett National Park: Bijrani, Jhirna, Durga Devi, Dhikala

Jeep Safari Timing Chart
Zones Date Safari Entry Timing
Morning Evening
Bijrani 15th October to 15th November 6:00 AM 01.30 PM
16th November to 15th February 06:30 AM 01.00 PM
16th February to 31st March 6:00 AM 01.30 PM
1st April to 15th May 5:45 AM 02.30 PM
16th May to 30th June 05.30 AM 02.30 PM
Jhirna 15th October to 15th November 6:00 AM 01.30 PM
16th November to 15th February 06:30 AM 01.00 PM
16th February to 31st March 6:00 AM 01.30 PM
1st April to 15th May 5:45 AM 02.30 PM
16th May to 30th June 05.30 AM 02.30 PM
1st July to 14th October 6:00 AM 02.30 PM
Durgadevi 15th November to 15th February 06:30 AM 01.00 PM
16th February to 31st March 6:00 AM 01.30 PM
1st April to 15th May 5:45 AM 02.30 PM
16th May to 30th June 05.30 AM 02.30 PM
Dhikala Winter 7:00 AM 2:00 PM
Summer 6:00 AM 03:00PM

Note:
– Gypsy or Jeep Safari is available for six people along with a tour guide authorized by the forest department.
– Prior booking of safari is mandatory.

Elephant safari -Ride like a maharaja

Taking an elephant ride is an exhilarating experience in itself. However, the chances of spotting tigers are very less but the thrill is even greater if, you get the chance. In addition, there is a perfect visibility of the forest when you are on the back of an elephant, as the height of elephant helps in observing more area. There is nothing quite like sitting on an elephant’s back, with no steel or wheels -between you and the wild animals. The best part about riding on the back of an elephant is the chance that it gives you to slow down and move with the rhythm of nature. Seagull, kingfisher, hornbill, leaf birds, spot-winged starlings, puff-throated babbler, white-rumped shama, and purple sunbirds are the prominent birds that are seen feeding on the bush in the Bijrani zone of Corbett. The best time to enjoy elephant safari is winter season as this is a time of nature when tourists can feel, see and experience nature at its best.

Elephant Safari Zones in Corbett: Bijrani, Dhikala

Elephant Safari Timing Chart
Zones Safari Entry Timing
Morning Evening
Bijrani 06:00 AM 03:00PM
Dhikala 06:00 AM 03:00PM

Note:
– Maximum Four tourists are allowed to ride on the back of the elephant.
– For elephant safari booking, tourists need not to make any prior bookings, as it can be done on first come first serve basis.

Canter Safari – Wilderness on Wheels

Catering to 16 people at a time, canter safari is known as the safest mode to explore the wilderness in Corbett National Park. Dhikala Zone is one of the finest areas in Corbett National Park to spot varied avian species, aquatic animals, reptiles and mammals and is the only zone where canter safari is available. The State Forest Department provides a driver and a forest guide with each vehicle. Besides tiger hunting, tourists can indulge here in bird watching and angling. The water reservoir inside the region is famed for the mahseer, goonch, brown trout and many other species of fish. Permission from Forest department is needed for angling and fishing in Corbett.

Canter Safari Zone: Dhikala Zone

Canter Safari in Dhikala Zone
Date Safari Timings
Morning Evening
15th November To 15th Feb 06:00 AM 11.30 AM
16th February to 31st March 06:00 AM 11.30 AM
1st April to 15th May 5:45 AM 12.30 PM
16th May to 30th June 5:30 AM 12.30 PM

Note:
– There are 16 seats in every canter.
– Prior booking of Canter should be done 30 days in advance.

There’s something magical about being on a wildlife safari in Corbett, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Come and experience nature at its best.