Dhikala is one of the most popular sought after tourist accommodation in Corbett Tiger Reserve. Herd of elephants and spotted deers pack the vast expanse of famous Dhikala Chaur. This is probably the best place in the Tiger Reserve to spot very rare Hog Deer.
Staying at Dhikala is an experience every wildlife enthusiast looks forward to. Dhangari gate is entrance for Dhikala zone. Dhangari gate is located 18 kms away from Ramnagar while Dhikala Tourist Complex is located 31 Kms inside the Dhangari Gate. Dhikala is open for tourists from 15th November to 15th June. But remains inaccessible during Monsoon season. Dhikala tourist complex overlooks Ramganga Reservoir and is a perfect place to observe Crocodiles and Gharials basking in the banks of Ramganga.
Accommodation : Different kinds of accommodations are available at Dhikala. Along with the Forest Rest House, Cabins, Hutment, Annexe Dhikala also has 24 bunk beds in Log Huts. The rooms are comfortable with basis amenities.
Food & Other Services : A very good restaurant caters to the need of visitors staying in the Dhikala Tourist Complex. The restaurant serves buffet meals with good choice of quality foods. A small Canteen is also available for the visitors.
Visitors can enjoy wildlife movie show in the evening and also spend their leisure time reading books in the well stocked library.
The old Gairal Forest complex was built in 1903. The New FRH there has four rooms and eight bed dormitory, is situated next to the Ramganga River where it enters the National park. The FRH enjoys a tranquil environment of great beauty and is excellent for bird watching. The crocodile pool, nearby offers the opportunity to see the ghadial in the water or basking on the adjoining rocks.
GAIRAL (NEW FRH)
Room Type : NEW FRH-(Double Bed)
Location : Gairal
Entry Gate : Dhangari Gate
Distance from Ramnagar : 30 km
No. of Rooms : 4
Restaurant and Canteen : Yes
GAIRAL DORMITRY
Room Type : Dormitory
Location : Gairal
Entry Gate : Dhangari Gate
Distance from Ramnagar : 30 km
No. of Rooms : 8
Restaurant and Canteen : Yes
One of the most beautiful Forest Rest House of Corbett overlooking the Ramganga is located at Sarpaduli,30 kms from Ramnagar. It was built in 1908. Elephant movement is fairly common in the area and visitors can even spot Otters in the river nearby. Ghoral can be sighted on the slopes across the Ramganga. Large pools of Mahseer and fish eating birds like kingfisher, fish eagle, etc may be seen in this area.
Sarpduli FRH
Room Type : FRH-(Double Bed)
Location : Sarpduli
Entry Gate : Dhangari Gate
Distance from Ramnagar : 30 km
No. of Rooms : 2
Kitchen : Yes
Sarpduli Dormitory
Room Type : Dormitory
Location : Sarpduli
Entry Gate : Dhangari Gate
Distance from Ramnagar : 30 km
No. of Beds : 3
Kitchen : Yes
Sultan, the first FRH on the Dhangari-Dhikala road, has the advantage of privacy and solitude. The adjoining Sal forest patch is one of the densest in the CTR and support large number of Deers and Birds. The FRH was built in 1903 and is an ideal place for small group of visitors.
Sultan FRH
Room Type : FRH-(Double Bed)
Location : Sultan
Entry Gate : Dhangari Gate
Distance from Ramnagar : 25 km
No. of Rooms : 2
Restaurant and Canteen : Yes
Canter Safari in Corbett is the best option for those who reside outside the Dhikala Zone and wish to sight the wildlife of the area. Canter is a 16 seater open air bus that drives from Ramnagar to Dhikala and then back to Ramnagar. For canter safari also one needs to make prior booking using the official website.
Dhikala is famous for the vast grassland that is packed with Elephants, Spotted Deers, Wild pigs, Hog Deersetc. Often visitors can spot a wild Tiger crossing the grassland or chasing a deer.
Watch tower situated at Dhikala is perfectly located and enables you to get an excellent view of wildlife which are come for grazing into the nearby chaurs, It also gives you an excellent view of entire ramganga riverbed as well as a large section of Dhikala chaur.
This watch tower is located at a 10 mins walk from Dhikala forest rest louse. There is a man made waterhole around fifty yards to the south of the watchtower which makes it the perfect place to spot Deers, elephants, wild pigs and occasionally a Tiger.
Crocodile pool is located on the short cut from Gairal to the other rest houses west of it. It is also a balcony-like natural structure, which looks down upon a pool almost permanently inhabited by crocodiles.
This jungle track extends from the base of the Dhikala watchtower till the Khinanauli rest house. This area probably has the maximum sighting of tigers in the area.This is due to its ideal location between the hills on one side and the riverbed on the other. Most of the animals cross over in this area while moving down for water. Elephants are also frequent visitors to this track and it is important to be able to reverse your vehicle as easily as you drive it forward, if you plan to drive down this way just before sunset in the summer months. A couple of Serpant Eagles also had their nest high up in a tree beside this track. If patience is one of your virtues, it can almost be guaranteed that this track will not send you back disappointed.
Dhikala One can reach Dhikala via Dhangarhi gate which is 18 kms from Ramnagar. Please view the route map.
One can enter Dhikala range via Dhangarhi Gate and the entry timing to Dhikala range from this gate is 10:00 AM till 4:00 PM.
The Dhikala Safari zone of Corbett Tiger Reserve remains open for tourists from 15th November to 15th June.
Birjani Tourist Zone is a very popular area of the spectacular Corbett Tiger Reserve. This zone is enriched with a huge number of floral and faunal species. Birjani gives a tough competition to Dhikala zone while the tourist's preferences are concerned. The zone is known for its wonderful landscape and is very calm and quite place. The beauty of this place is appreciated by all the visitors. This is one of the most tiger rich areas of the park.Birjani consists of a mixed topography with dense Sal forests combined with grasslands. The entry to this zone is through Aamdanda Gate.
Accommodation inside Bijrani Zone With in Bijrani Zone, Forest rest houses are located in Bijrani and Malani. The rest house at Bijrani has six rooms (Four with double beds and two with single bed) and dormitory consisting of four beds. The compound has its own restaurant and canteen. Elephant rides into the jungle are available from here. The region is frequented by wild animals and birds unperturbed by the human interventions. The chances of spotting a tiger, Sloth bear and herd of elephants are quite high in this part of the park. The rest house in Malani has two rooms (Double bed) and is very popular among bird watchers and tourist seeking a peaceful place. The picturesque beauty of Birjani is magnificent. It is endowed with wide grass lands, thick forests and huge water drains and inspiring count of flora and fauna.
Safari In Bijrani Bijrani safari zone is highly endowed with rich diversity of flora and fauna. Bijrani zone, situated at a suitable distance from Ramnagar is the most preferred zone for Wildlife enthusiasts visiting the park for day visit. It gives its visitors a wonderful experience of the beautiful forests. The forest area of Birjani is purely serene and perfect for the tranquil atmosphere. It is seen that the forest vegetation is mainly Sal along with wide grasslands known as Chaur. The topography at Birjani is a bit drier and has diverse character. Several types of deers and antilopes namely Chital (Axis axis), Hog Deer or Para (Axis pornicus), Sambar (Cervus Unicolor), Kakkar (Muntiacus Muntjak) etc are seen here. A great place to spot tigers and wild elephants, this is also a preferred destination of Birdwatchers. The chances of spotting sloth bear are high in these forests. They are attracted by both termites and the sweet nectar of Mahua flowers. The bears have been recorded in intoxicated state when the Mahua ferments in their digestive system. Reptiles seen in this region are the Indian Python, Cobra, Krait and the fearsome King Cobra and different species of Lizards.
Food & Other Services The compound has its own restaurant and canteen, where buffet meals are served with a variety of good quality food at affordable price.
The Bijrani Day Safari zone of Corbett Tiger Reserve remains open for tourists from 15th October to 30th June.
How to Reach Bijrani The entry gate to Bijrani zone is Aamdanda gate, which is about 2 km. away from Ramnagar. After entering through Aamdanda gate, you cross about 5 km. of buffer zone before reaching the core area of Bijrani ecotourism zone.
BIJRANI(FRH) Malani Forest Rest House was built in 1930's and is located at the edge of the core zone of the Corbett National Park approximately12km northwest of Bijrani. From Bijrani driving through the Machaan chaur, visitors take the old forest track to Mailani and enjoy the sight of deer grazing in the grassland, a Tusker peeling the bark of trees or an occasional encounter witha bear or Leopard. This small FRH named after the Malani sot (stream) offers one of the most picturesque surroundings and a quiet ambience. This is one of the best site for a peaceful stay and enjoying bird watching.
Malani FRH,built around 1930, located at the edge of the core zone of the Corbett National Park is 12km due northwest of Bijrani. Driving through the Machaan chaur, visitors may sight deer, bears or nilgai which is thrilling. This small FRH named after the Malani sot (stream) offers one of the most picturesque surroundings and a quiet ambience.
MAILANI(FRH)-Double Bed
Room Type : FRH(Double Bed)
Location : Malani
Entry Gate : Aamdanda Gate
Distance from Ramnagar : 18 km
No. of Rooms : 2
Restaurant and Canteen : Yes
Jhirna is located on the southern periphery of Corbett Tiger Reserve. The animal population also comprises sloth bear and wild elephants which provide great sights for the wild life enthusiasts. Jhirna zone is open throughout the year. The Jhirna jeep safari zone is one of the most eye-catching spots inside the Corbett Tiger Reserve.
Day visit to Jhirna Zone is through Dhela Gate which is 20 Kms from Ramnagar. Its main topography mainly constitutes deciduous and secondary forest interspersed with plush open grasslands that offer amazingly good visibility of wild animals.
Jhirna FRH is located on the southern boundary of the Corbett Tiger Reserve and may be approached from the Dhela entry gate. Vegetation here is drier and mostly shrub. It was a farming land till the villages (Dhara, Jhirna and Kothirau) were relocated in 1994 under Project Tiger. The area has recovered really well and is a testimony of the rejuvenating power of nature. After the successful ecological recovery, the area is a favored ground of Wild animals now
Jhirna(FRH)-Double Bed
Room Type : FRH(Double Bed)
Location : Jhirna
Entry Gate : Dhela Gate
Distance from Ramnagar : 25 km
No. of Rooms : 2
Restaurant and Canteen : Yes
The terrain consists of large open grasslands, popularly known as Chaur. Its topography is mainly dry deciduous type with secondary forest. There are numerous natural streams inside the area. The stream beds are warm and accessible for exploring. There are cliff edges along with the streams, which can prove to be a good spot for bird watching.
One of the best places to spot tigers in their natural habitat, this is a must visit zone for the wildlife enthusiasts.
The Jhirna Tourism Zone, however remains open for day safaris throughout the year, subject to road and weather conditions.
Jungle Safari : Can be done using the registered jeeps. Taking registered nature guides is mandatory on all wild excursions.
Chaurs (Grass Lands) Around Jhirna we have a large chaurs (Grass land) known as the Laldhang Chaur. This is the favored area by the wild herbivores like elephants and deers.
How to Reach Jhirna : Jhirna gate is around 20 kms from Ramnagar city, Jhirna safari opens round the year for day safaris. The booking for day visits can be done using the official web portal. During monsoon advance booking of safaris cannot be done for Jhirna gate because in case of heavy rains safaris can be cancelled any particular day, hence permits for the safaris are given on current basis.
This is the newest and sixth eco-tourism zone that was opened for tourists in December 2014. Dhela Ecotourism zone remains open for tourists throughout the year.
This zone is extremely rich in flora and fauna. The zone spreads over 1,173 hectares, which has mixed forests of Sal, Rohini, Haldu, Bahera, Kusum vegetation, and tigers, leopards, Asiatic elephants, sloth bears and king cobras. The area is particularly rich in bird diveristy.
Dhela FRH has a sprawling campus. It is located in the buffer area of Corbett Tiger Reserve that was added to it in 1991. The village of Dhela close to the FRH lends its name to it. Walking in the forest for birds watching is a delight anyone staying here can indulg in.
Dhela(FRH)-Double Bed
Room Type : FRH(Double Bed)
Location : Dhela
Entry Gate : Dhela Gate
Distance from Ramnagar : 18 km
No. of Rooms : 1
Restaurant and Canteen : Yes
Jungle Safari : The Dhela zone can be visited on a day safari, the permit for which can be reserved using the official website. The safari is done using the registered vehicles and a mandatory guide. Private vehicles are not allowed in this zone just like the other zones of CTR.
Chaurs (Grass Lands) A vast Laldhang chaur is the main attraction of this zone. The grassland is often seen packed with elephants and deers. Several wild pigs and Neelgai can also be seen here. The area is also a very sought after place for visitors interested in grassland birds.
How to Reach Dhela : Dhela ecotourism zone remain open for tourists throughout the year. The entry for Dhela zone is common with the Jhirna zone and is from Dhela gate which is located at a distance of approx. 15 kms from Ramnagar.
For Bookings Write email on info@corbetttigerreserve.in
Near Royal Enfield Showroom/Reliance Petrol Pump, Village Shivlalpur Pandey,
Jim Corbett National Park, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand 244715.