India's oldest and most prestigious Corbett National Park is known for its tiger population and draws visitors from both the country and abroad. The National Park has been divided into six major different tourism zones -- Bijrani Safari Zone, Jhirna Safari Zone, Dhela Safari Zone, Dhikala Zone, Durga Devi Zone and Sitabani Buffer Zone. Here's a list of hotels and camps near the National Park where you can have a comfortable stay.
There are many resorts and camps in the Corbett area, but few garner praise like Forktail does. With eight mud huts, this is a small establishment, but an exceptional one. Run by Minakshi and Ritesh and located 23km north of Ramnagar, in Bhakrakot village, Forktail employs solar energy for basic requirements, furniture is made from waste wood and vegetation in the five-acre camp has been diligently developed. Each mud house has a private verandah and attached toilets. A 2N/3D package costs INR 13,000.
On the eastern fringe of Corbett, Riverwild offers professional management, hospitality tinged with warmth and that crucial ingredient -- location. The six plush log huts all overlook the Kosi river, and the view, with hills rising all around, is lovely. The implied 'roughing out' is a bit make-believe as you'll find all the mod cons here, but you'll get your own private lookout to birdwatch, so you won't complain.
Tariff: From INR 14,000 for 2N/3D in an A/C wooden cottage.
Contact: +91-9675708601.
There are scores of stay options outside Corbett, but if you want to stay within the core area of the park, this is the answer. Run by the forest department, the place is 30km from the Dhangadi gate and enjoys an unrivalled position from which to view the park. Dhikala forest lodge is a historic structure, having been built hundreds of years ago by the Britishers. The camp overlooks the Ramganga reservoir and forested hills beyond. As you'd expect, Dhikala is basic. Stay is possible in dorms and rooms are housed across a few wings, old and new. You can only venture outside with armed guards, elephant back, car or jeep.
Tariff: You can find all booking information here
Only 10 minutes from Corbett's Bijrani gate is this pretty-looking resort, which offers 12 luxury cottages -- each a generous 800 sq ft that comes with a living room, a private sit-out and a courtyard. A useful retreat if you like the forest but only because you can come back from a dusty safari, fling your pith helmet aside and delve into the pleasures of TV, pool, mini-bars and the choice of multiple cuisines.
Tariff: Rooms cost INR 23,999 for a 2N/3D package with all meals. Visitors can enjoy bonfires in the evening.
Located outside the reserve's south eastern boundary, this is a 15-acre space that brings back a whiff of the manner in which the sahibs experienced the jungle. These are tented accommodations but when you picture it, remember to include ACs, fine linen, period lithographs and plates of the shikaar.
Tariff: 2N/3D from Rs 20,000 includes safaris, walking trips, biking, birding sorties, meals and taxes
Contact: 9899989508, jimsjungleretreat.com
A newly established hotel in the foothills of the HImalayas, Corbett Treff Hotel has 10 cottage rooms. A 2N/3D package costs Rs 7,777 and includes breakfast and dinner.
By train: The nearest railway station from Corbett is Ramnagar which is around 12 km from the park and the station is directly connected to the railway stations in Delhi.
By road: The Delhi to Corbett road distance is around 245 km with a travel time of 6 hours.
By air: The nearest airport to Jim Corbett National Park is Pantnagar (PGH) Airport which is 76.2 km away. Other nearby airports include Dehra Dun (DED) (102.8 km).
Best Time To Visit: Mid-November to June