Jim Corbett National Park

Established in 1936 as Hailey National Park and later renamed in honor of the legendary naturalist, author, and hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett, this iconic sanctuary is India’s oldest national park and the proud birthplace of Project Tiger (1973). Spanning 1,288 square kilometers across the Nainital and Pauri Garhwal districts, Corbett encompasses a breathtaking tapestry of dense sal forests, riverine grasslands, rugged Shivalik ridges, and the sparkling blue currents of the Ramganga River.

Corbett boasts the highest density of Royal Bengal tigers of any wildlife reserve in the world, with an estimated population exceeding 250 wild tigers. Traveling in open four-wheel-drive safari jeeps along ancient forest paths, visitors frequently witness the heart-stopping sight of a magnificent tiger striding gracefully across the sun-dappled forest floor or cooling off along the river gravel bars.

The park is divided into several renowned eco-tourism zones. The world-famous Dhikala Zone, featuring vast savannah grasslands known as chaurs, is celebrated for large herds of wild Asiatic elephants, spotted deer, barking deer, sambar, and dramatic tiger encounters. Bijrani offers rich sal canopies with diverse wildlife, while Jhirna and Dhela remain open year-round, offering exceptional birdwatching and sloth bear sightings.

Flowing like a silver ribbon through the heart of the reserve, the Ramganga River sustains an astonishing ecosystem. Its crystalline waters shelter critically endangered Gharials, marsh Mugger crocodiles, and the prized golden Mahseer sport fish, while majestic fish eagles and ospreys circle above.

Beyond wildlife tracking, Corbett offers enchanting cultural landmarks. Perched dramatically on an enormous isolated boulder in the middle of the roaring Kosi River stands the sacred Garjia Devi Temple, thronged by thousands of devotees during Kartik Poornima. Down in Kaladhungi, the stone-built cottage of Jim Corbett has been preserved as a fascinating heritage museum displaying his personal letters, gun cases, hunting relics, and vintage photographs.

Along the tranquil perimeter of the reserve and the Kosi riverbank, world-class luxury eco-resorts offer unforgettable wilderness escapes, complete with riverside dining, guided bird walks, bonfire evenings, and soothing spa treatments.