Corbett

When you reach Jim Corbett National Park, you step into the oldest national park in India. It sits in the green hills of Uttarakhand, near the small town of Ramnagar. This is tiger country. As your open jeep moves through tall sal forests and grassy meadows, you watch closely for the royal Bengal tiger, wild elephants, spotted deer and many birds. The Ramganga river runs through the park and keeps it green all year. If you are travelling with your family, this is an easy and thrilling holiday from Delhi. For our friends coming from abroad, Corbett gives a gentle first taste of Indian wildlife, close to the capital and simple to reach.

Jim Corbett National Park lies in the Ramnagar area of Uttarakhand, in the Kumaon foothills of the Himalayas. It opened in 1936 and became the first national park in India. In 1973 it became the first home of Project Tiger, the national plan to save the tiger. The park takes its name from Jim Corbett, the hunter and writer who later worked to protect wildlife. It has several zones, such as Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Dhela and Durga Devi. Each zone has its own gate and its own beauty. The core zones usually stay closed in the monsoon, so most safaris run from about the middle of November to the middle of June.

November to June

The Dhikala zone is the heart of Corbett. From its high viewpoint you look over the wide Ramganga grasslands, where elephants and deer graze in the open. Bijrani zone, close to Ramnagar, has thick sal forest and good tiger sightings. Jhirna zone stays open through most of the year and is easy to reach. Take a morning jeep safari when the forest is fresh and the animals come out to feed. A calm wild elephant or a sudden pugmark on the track will stay in your memory for a long time.

The story of Corbett is really the story of the tiger in India. In the early days hunters roamed this land freely. Jim Corbett, who once shot man eating tigers and leopards, slowly turned into a lover and protector of wildlife. His books, such as Man Eaters of Kumaon, made the forests of Kumaon famous around the world. When Project Tiger chose this park as its first home in 1973, Corbett became a symbol of India's care for nature. The Kumaoni villages around the park still live close to the forest and add their warm culture to your visit.

Most resorts around Ramnagar serve simple and tasty Indian food. You get fresh rotis, dal, seasonal vegetables, rice and paneer dishes. Many places also cook Kumaoni dishes such as bhatt ki churkani and aloo ke gutke, which you should try. Pure vegetarian food is easy to find. If you stay at a forest rest house inside the park, meals are basic, so carry some fruit, dry snacks and enough water for the day.

Corbett is more about nature than shopping, but you can still take home a few nice things. The market in Ramnagar sells local honey, herbal products and hill spices. You will also find wooden and cane items and small handicrafts made by village women. T shirts and caps with tiger prints make an easy gift for children. Buy your snacks and water in Ramnagar before you enter the park, as shops inside are very few.

Corbett is easy to reach from Delhi, which is about 250 km. away by road and takes around six hours. The nearest railway station is Ramnagar, with trains from Delhi and other cities. From Ramnagar the park gates are a short drive by taxi or auto. Inside the park you travel only by permitted jeep or canter safari with a registered guide. You may not take a private vehicle or walk inside, for your own safety. Book your safari and permit in advance, because each zone allows only a limited number of jeeps.

Corbett has more to offer beyond the safari. The Corbett Waterfall, a short drive from Ramnagar, is a pretty spot among the trees. Garjia Devi Temple stands on a large rock in the middle of the Kosi river, and many travellers stop here for darshan. The Corbett Museum at Kaladhungi, the old home of Jim Corbett, tells his story. Sitabani forest, just outside the park, makes a quiet place for a walk and for bird watching.

Nainital (about 65 km.): A pretty hill station around a green lake, good for boating and an easy family stay. Ranikhet (about 110 km.): A calm army town with pine forests and wide mountain views. Kaladhungi (about 25 km.): The winter home of Jim Corbett, now a museum. Lansdowne (about 160 km.): A quiet colonial hill town with clean air and gentle walks. Many families join Corbett with Nainital to make a full and relaxed trip.

Carry a valid photo ID for every traveller, as the guard checks it at the safari gate. Wear light cotton clothes in summer and warm layers in winter, because early mornings can be cold. Colours like brown, green and khaki blend well with the forest. Please keep your voice low, do not feed any animal, and never throw plastic in the park. Corbett is a home for wild animals, and you are only their guest for a few hours.