Corbett National Park was the first protected area to be declared as a Tiger Reserve. Named after the legendary hunter of man eating tigers Jim Corbett the region abounds with rich wilderness. The park is now a hub
of tiger tourism and birding in India.
Situated at a height of six hundred MSL it is also known as the foothills of Himalayas. The towering mountains can be seen while on a game ride in the park. Divided into six zones namely:
Bijarani
Dhela
Jhirna
Dhikala
Sonanadi
Durga Devi
The entry has to be booked in advance using the online facility or through a tour operator. All zones are equally good for a safari but I personally rate Dhikala and Bijarani as best. In Dhikala one can see plenty of
birds apart from the tiger, wild elephant, sloth bear, gharial and marsh crocodile. For a game round Dhikala a stay in the complex is necessary. The booking is done in advance due to the heavy rush. Bijarani is good for tigers and other mammals found in the
reserve.
There are more than five hundred avian species to be sighted here. Many of these are altitude migrants while some arrive from far but local migrants and residents abound.
The region is having affinity with Indo-China hence one can see the goral as well on the mountain slopes. Hod deer is another species worth looking for. There are more than six hundred wild elephants which cover an
extensive area.
The reserve is top rated by bird watchers in Northern India. The best season is of course in winters. For tigers summers is the best season but they are visible throughout the year. The destination has more than 200
tigers hence the impressive sightings.
Joy rides on elephant back are also available which are conducted by the forest department in the zones. In the buffer region at Ramnagar one can hire privately managed elephants for ride in the forests adjacent to
the Ramganga River.
For safari in other zones stay at Ramnagar is the best as there are many hotels and guest houses. One can avail any kind of accommodation depending upon one's budget.
Corbett is accessible from Delhi by road and a visit is often organized in a package tour. The itinerary often contains a visit to Bharatpur, Nainital and Corbett. While the first two are for bird watching the latter
is for
tiger tours apart from bird watching.
The destination is also accessible by train from Lucknow and New Delhi. Due to extreme cold one needs warm clothing and a cozy place to stay. If you are not in a package tour then hire a birding guide to hence the checklist.