Wildlife Resorts in Corbett

Corbett National Park has five tourism zones - Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Lohachaur and Sonanadi wildlife sanctuary.

All the five tourism zones are mutually exclusive, each having their own separate entrance. Any body wanting to go from one zone to another has to come out and then re-enter through the other zone's entry gate. This way there is no concentration of tourists in any one area, and thus minimizes the disturbance to the indian wildlife in Corbett National Park.

Dhikala zone is the main area open to tourists. In the Dhikala zone, accommodation is available in the Dhikala tourist complex, and in the Forest Rest Houses of Gairal, Sultan, Khinanauli, Sarapduli, and Kanda. Only those visitors who have confirmed overnight accommodation bookings are permitted to enter from the Dhangarhi gate. In 1990 day visits were banned and its only in the last few years has a conducted day visit to the Dhikala tourist complex been organized by the park authorities. As the total number of beds is limited, this helps the Park authorities in limiting the numbers of tourists inside Corbett National Park, thus monitoring of the impact of the the indian wildlife within its boundaries.

Dhikala tourist complex, is the largest accommodation facility in the park and is located at the heart of the core area. It is located at the edge of a small cliff overlooking the Ramganga river which looks quite pictureque. Just outside the complex is the chaur or grasslands, which disappear into the dense sal forests. The chaur, the river, and the surrounding forests are prime wildlife viewing areas as they attract herds of chital, hog deer and elephants. This area also has a high density of tigers. From the complex itself one can see herds of elephants coming down from the surrounding hills to the river. There is a viewing tower within walking distance from the complex, and this is the only stretch in the park, which you are allowed to do on foot.
At Dhikala you have elephants, which take tourists for morning and afternoon safaris. As the number of elephants is limited, it is best to book your seats before. There is a library, which has a wide range of books on indian wildlife. The complex has electricity and tap water, and wildlife movies are screened in the evenings in the outdoors.

The Forest Rest Houses of Gairal, Sultan, Khinanauli, Sarapduli and Kanda have no electricity, and while Gairal has a canteen, for the remaining rest houses, one has to carry one's own rations. These however have cooking utensils and crockery.

As the total number of beds is limited, this helps the Park authorities in limiting the numbers of tourists inside.

(2) Bijrani, Jhirna and Lohachaur - These three zones are for day visitors, those staying at the resorts located outside the park. Bijrani has a small complex where visitors can stay. It has a canteen, and also elephants for elephant rides. Lohachaur and Jhirna have Forest Rest Houses which have no electricity and no canteen. Rations will have to be brought along.

(3) Sonanadi - The Halduparao Forest Rest House is more than a hundred years old and is located in a really wild country. Meant only for the adventurous.

Note - All the accommodation at Corbett National Park is very basic. Those looking for luxury and fun times are advised to stay in the resorts located outside the park, and do the conducted day visit to Dhikala, and morning and afternoon safaris in Jhirna, Bijrani and Lohachaur.

For those who don't mind roughing it out a bit, we can make the stay inside the park comfortable by providing bedding, linen, cooks (for those Forest Rest Houses which do not have a canteen) etc. This would come as part of a package, which would also include transportation in the park by open 4-wheel jeeps, elephant rides (subject to availability of elephants), naturalists etc.