A Complete Guide to a Memorable Holiday Amid Wilderness at Corbett National Park

Known worldwide for its rich flora and fauna, Corbett is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. Its proximity to one of the most popular hill stations in India, Nainital, makes Corbett every tourist’s delight. 

The oldest national park in India, Corbett is a place that lets you get close to nature and witness the wildlife in their natural habitat. Located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, Corbett National Park was established during the pre-independence era in 1936 and it was earlier known as Hailey National Park.  

Spread over 520 square kilometres, this National Park was created to protect the endangered Royal Bengal Tigers that were hunted in large numbers by the Indian royals and the British officials. If you are planning a holiday to Corbett, here is a complete guide to visit Corbett National Park. The guide covers – 

•     Interesting facts about Corbett National Park
•     Best Places to visit in Corbett
•     Things to do in Corbett
•     Best time to visit Corbett
•     How to reach Corbett
•     Where to stay in Corbett

Interesting Facts About Corbett National Park 

•  The Corbett National Park is known for housing a sizeable population of Royal Bengal Tigers and is aptly named the ‘Paradise of Tigers’ in India. 
• The Corbett National Park is named after the legendary hunter-turned-naturalist, Jim Corbett. 
• It is the first Tiger conservation Project in India. 
• The Corbett National Park is home to more than 110 species of tree, 580 species of Birds (migratory and indigenous) and 50 species of mammals.
• About 73% of the National Park is covered with trees and thick forests; a major portion of the park is covered by Bamboo forests and only 10% of the park is grassland.  

Best Places to Visit in Corbett 

Apart from exploring the Corbett National Park on the Jungle Safari, there are several other fascinating tourist places to visit in Corbett. Here are some of these places that you must not miss seeing.  

Corbett Waterfall 

Corbett Waterfall is about 66 ft high and is one of the must-visit places in Corbett. Getting to the falls in itself is an experience, as you must hike a little to reach this lovely and secluded spot. If you are camping around the National Park, you can enjoy witnessing the waterfall at night, especially on a full moon day, the shimmering moon light on the gushing waters create a magical sight that is a cynosure to the eye.  

After the jungle safari, you can head to this waterfall sight to unwind, and just relax amidst the lush greenery, before heading back to your hotel.  

Garjiya Temple 

Talking about the best places to visit in Corbett, Garjiya Temple has to be on the top 5 list. It is one of the most unique temples you may have seen in India. Located amidst River Kosi, the temple is actually atop a large rock.  

The temple is named after its main deity, Goddess Garjiya Devi. You must climb a flight of stairs to reach the top and it is quite famous among the visitors who come to Jim Corbett.  

Corbett Museum 

Located in the Kaladhungi region of Corbett, this unique museum is actually a heritage bungalow belonging to the legendary conservationist, Jim Corbett that is now turned into a museum. The museum holds many achievements of Jim Corbett and you can get an insight into his life. Also, the bungalow itself is very pretty, which also doubles up as an excellent background for clicking some stunning Instagram-worthy pictures! 

Sitabani Temple 

Dedicated to Goddess Sita, the temple has great mythological significance and holds an important place in the hearts of the locals. Many religious tourists come to Corbett just to visit this temple and offer their prayers. As per the Hindu epic, Ramayana, Goddess Sita spent a few days during her Agnipariksha days. 

Things To Do in Corbett  

While most people come to Jim Corbett National Park to go on a jungle safari, there are plenty of other things to do in Corbett that are equally worth indulging in and fun. 

•   If you are a camping enthusiast, you can go camping in the wild around the permitted areas inside the park. Surrounded by lush greenery, and adorned with many rivers, it is one of a few national parks in India where overnight camping in the night is permitted. You can go camping.  

• You can take a Jeep or Elephant safari around the National Park to explore the different zones of the park that are open for tourists and get up close and personal with the wildlife in Corbett, including the Asiatic Elephants, Royal Bengal Tigers, Spotted Deers, and a plethora of birds.  

• The Jim Corbett National Park is a complete tourist place that caters to the needs of all kinds of tourists’ interests. If you like trekking, you can go trekking with your friends at the various trekking trails inside the park. It is better to go on a guided trekking tour, as the trial may be confusing.  

• If you are looking for some adrenaline-pumping action and love adventure, you can go River Rafting in the Kosi River that flows through the park. It is one of the best ways to enjoy the gushing waters; there are Class II and III raids. Everyone can enjoy this activity as the rafting is conducted by trained professionals and they take care of all the safety precautions. The best time to go rafting in Corbett is during the monsoon season when the river flow is at its peak.  

Besides river rafting, you can enjoy other water sports activities like fishing, rappelling and angling on the river. Many such activities are organised from time to time to give the tourists a fun experience.  

Best Time to Visit Jim Corbett  

The Jim Corbett National Park wears a different shade during different seasons. If your primary purpose is to spot the Royal Bengal Tigers in their natural habitat, the summer season is the best time to visit in Corbett. During this time the chances of spotting a Tiger or two are high as they come out to the various water bodies around the park during the day to quench their thirst. However, be warned, the heat during the summer season can sometimes be excruciating, especially in late April and May.  

If you want to see the insect life and embrace nature or do nature photography, monsoon season would be the best time to visit Jim Corbett National Park. Also, during this time of the year, the weather is cool, the occasional showers add more fun and excitement to the safari experience and you can see a million shades of green as you travel through the forest.  

Winters are also a great time to visit the national park; it is the peak tourist season. The forest is lush, and the cool and comfortable weather makes the safari experience a memorable one. The hazy mist, the cool breeze and the clean and fresh air around the national park would make you appreciate mother nature and realise the importance of the jungles in maintaining ecological balance.

How to reach Corbett? 

The Jim Corbett National Park is located in Nainital district of Uttarakhand, and is well-connected to all major cities in India via well-maintained roads, and railways. So, if you are wondering how to reach Corbett, here are a few simple ways to this stunning National Park. 

Reaching Corbett by Rail

The closest railway station to Jim Corbett National Park is Ramnagar, which is located about three kilometres from the Park. From the station, you can take a private cab to reach the national park within a few minutes. The station is connected to different parts of Uttarakhand and many inter-state trains from all over India arrive here.  

Reaching Corbett by Air

If you are coming from overseas, you can take a flight to Delhi and take another flight to Dehradun to reach Jim Corbett. If you are travelling from within India, there are many direct flights to Dehradun from all important cities. The National Park is about 170 kms from Dehradun, and you can take a cab from the airport; it will take about three to four hours.  

Reaching Corbett by Road

You can reach Jim Corbett National Park from all major cities in India by road with ease. Being an important tourist place, the Uttarakhand Government has ensured that all major national highways are connected to the park and with the well laid out roads, driving here is sure to give you a fun experience.  

Where to stay in Corbett? 

A visit to the Jim Corbett National Park is an experience in itself that you will cherish for long. But, you can take the fun quotient of your trip to this natural wonderland a notch higher by booking your stay at the Club Mahindra Corbett resort, one of the most premium resorts in Corbett. 

The resort would be the perfect haven for your family to enjoy a comfortable stay in spacious rooms and enjoy all the modern amenities. Also, the resort has a reputation for offering the best dining experience in the region, and you can relish having the local cuisine.  

Lastly, the resort is located close to the National Park and other popular tourist attractions nearby, making it easier for you to explore the places nearby. Also, you can indulge in the various in-house experiences that are specially curated for you and your family to have fun, and spend quality time with each other.