Vanam / Parks / Uttarakhand
जिम कॉर्बेट राष्ट्रीय उद्यान
India's oldest national park, where Project Tiger began.
Jim Corbett National Park lies in the Himalayan foothills of Uttarakhand. It was created in 1936 as Hailey National Park, making it the first national park in Asia, and it later took the name of the hunter-turned-conservationist and author Jim Corbett.
The landscape changes as you move through it: about 73% is moist deciduous forest dominated by sal, with grassland, riverbeds, marshes and a large reservoir. The tiger reserve covers 1,288 sq km and held an estimated 260 tigers in the 2022 census, along with roughly 1,100 elephants (2019). Over 580 bird species have been recorded. It was also the launch site of Project Tiger.
Taller bars mean better wildlife viewing. Select a month to read what it is like.
The dots show how likely you are to see each animal on a typical safari.
The largest land animal in Asia, living in herds led by an older female.
Herds are often seen near the Ramganga and in the Dhikala grasslands.
India's national animal and the reason most visitors come to a safari.
260 tigers in the 2022 census, but dense forest makes sightings less certain than in drier parks.
The most common deer on safari, and the main prey of tigers and leopards.
A fish-eating crocodilian with a long, narrow snout, found on sandbanks of clean rivers.
Seen basking on the Ramganga river banks.
A secretive spotted cat that often hunts at night and rests in trees or rocks.
Present but secretive.
A broad-snouted crocodile that basks beside lakes and slow rivers.
The largest deer in India, whose alarm call warns the forest of a predator.
A shaggy, long-clawed bear that feeds mainly on termites and fruit.
Distances and travel times are approximate. Closure dates and permit rules change, so confirm them with the forest department before you book.
April to mid-June, late in the dry season, when animals gather at water.
The core zones close from mid-June to mid-November. Jhirna and Dhela remain open all year.
An estimated 260 in the 2022 census.
Cultivation and cattle stations were banned.
The area was made a reserve forest with restricted felling.
The park was created as Asia’s first national park.
After two earlier names, the park took the name of the naturalist and author.
Corbett became the launch site of Project Tiger.
The Kalagarh division and Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary were added.
Jim Corbett was a hunter of man-eating big cats who became a writer and conservationist. He campaigned for the protection of tigers, and the park was renamed in his honour in 1955-56.
Tell us your dates and group size. We will arrange the safari permits, stay and transfers.
