Jim Corbett

Jim Corbett National Park, established in 1936 as Hailey National Park (India's first), is one of the world's most celebrated wildlife reserves and the crown jewel of Project Tiger — India's landmark conservation programme. Spread across 521 sq km of the Himalayan foothills in Uttarakhand's Nainital and Pauri districts, the park is home to one of the highest densities of Royal Bengal Tigers in India, along with leopards, Asian elephants, gharial crocodiles, over 600 species of birds, and a remarkable diversity of Himalayan wildlife.

The park encompasses five distinct zones — Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Durga Devi, and Sitabani — each with its own character and wildlife specialities. Dhikala, accessible only via forest rest house stay or day excursion, is the most famous and offers the quintessential Corbett experience: vast grasslands (chaurs), the winding Ramganga river, and the highest tiger sighting probability in the entire park. Bijrani and Jhirna are day-excursion zones popular for leopard and elephant sightings.

The Ramganga River flows through the heart of the park, creating rich riparian ecosystems that attract thousands of birds throughout the year — making Corbett equally celebrated among serious birders as among wildlife enthusiasts. The Corbett Tiger Reserve is not just about tigers; it's a 360° wildlife experience set against the dramatic backdrop of the Himalayan terai forests.