Jim Corbett National Park
National Park India's oldest national park protecting Bengal tigers
India’s oldest national park in Uttarakhand, Jim Corbett protects sal and riverine forests along the Kosi. Tourists come for jeep and elephant safaris, Bengal tiger sightings, birdwatching and riverside lodges.
Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand is India’s oldest national park and a core protected area for the Bengal tiger in the Terai foothills of the central Himalaya. The park covers a mosaic of grassland, riverine forest and sal-dominated woodland in a rugged foothill landscape.
Wildlife viewing is the primary draw, with regular sightings of tigers, elephants, leopards, deer and a wide variety of birds across different park ranges. Guided jeep safaris and authorised elephant rides operate in selected zones, and some ranges such as Dhikala have forest rest houses for overnight stays.
The area was designated a protected reserve in 1936 to conserve declining wildlife populations and has since been expanded and managed to prioritise tiger conservation within a larger Terai landscape. It was later renamed in honour of the hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett.
Sited in the foothills of the Himalaya in Uttarakhand, the park’s main access is from the town of Ramnagar, which serves as the gateway for visitor entry and administrative services.
- Size: Park area is approximately 520 square kilometres, making it one of India's larger protected tiger reserves dedicated to Bengal tiger conservation.
- Visiting season: Most visitor safaris run from November to June when roads are open and animals are easier to spot; the monsoon season floods many corridors and limits access.
What to See #
- Dhikala range: Dhikala zone is the park's largest and most visited range, offering grassland and riverine forest habitats with high probability of tiger and elephant sightings.
- Bijrani range: Bijrani range is comparatively accessible and frequented for regular jeep safaris with good sightings of big cats and ungulates.
- Jhirna range: Jhirna range is a lowland area opened for tourism to extend the park's accessible season and habitats for wildlife viewing.
How to Get to Jim Corbett National Park #
Jim Corbett National Park is typically reached via the gateway town of Ramnagar (the usual railhead). Trains run to Ramnagar Railway Station; from Ramnagar most park entrances and safari zones are a short taxi ride away (typically 15-40 minutes depending on which zone you visit). By road the park is commonly driven to from Delhi - roughly 250-270 km and about a 5-6 hour drive by car or bus. The nearest commercial airport is Pantnagar (used for regional flights), at roughly a 60-80 km drive to Ramnagar depending on the route; onward travel from the airport is by taxi or bus.
Tips for Visiting Jim Corbett National Park #
- Book safaris and forest‑department permits well in advance and choose early‑morning jeep or elephant safaris for the best chance of wildlife sightings; many popular ranges and safaris fill up weeks ahead in peak season.
- If you want fewer tourists and a different experience, ask the forest office or your lodge which ranges are less frequented that day - avoiding the most popular routes increases quiet viewing opportunities.
- Plan your trip in the park's open season (generally winter/early spring) and avoid the monsoon months when the park is closed or access is restricted.
Best Time to Visit Jim Corbett National Park #
The best time for safaris is the dry season (roughly November-April); access and wildlife viewing decline during the monsoon.
Weather & Climate near Jim Corbett National Park #
Jim Corbett National Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with hot summers (peaking in May) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 8°C to 36°C. Abundant rainfall (1759 mm/year), wettest in July with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm).
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February
February is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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April
April is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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May
May is the hottest month with highs of 36°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm).
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June
June is the hottest month, feeling like 29°C. Significant rainfall (194 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is hot, feeling like 29°C due to high humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (506 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (447 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. Heavy rain (268 mm).
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October
October is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and clear sunny skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. The driest month with just 8 mm and clear sunny skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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