Corbett National Park
The renowned Corbett National park is located 290 km North-East of Delhi, in the state of Uttarakhand. The Park is a part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve, which lies in the foothills of the Himalayas within districts of Nainital, Pauri Garhwal, Almora, and Binjore. The Reserve is spread in an area of 1300 sq Kms.
Flora and Fauna: About six hundred different species of flora exist in this large expanse, with a predominance of Sal trees. The fauna has the critically endangered Tiger, leopards, Elephants, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking deer, Boars, Mugger crocodiles, and the endangered Gharials.
Rivers: The main river is the perennial Ramganga which is the major water source for wildlife. It has an abundance of the otherwise endangered Mahseer fish and Gharials. It also houses the mugger crocodiles, otters, and turtles. The Kosi and Sonanadi also flow apart from a number of streams.
How to get there:
- By road- Being 290 km from Delhi, it should take about 7 hours to reach. The route is Delhi-Moradabad-Kashipur-Ramnagar-Corbett.
- By train-The Ranikhet Express from Delhi (Departure 2245h) to Ramnagar (Arrival 0500h) from Old Delhi is ideal. (Train timings are subject to change)
Seasons and the best time to visit:
- Winter- November to February
- Summer- March to June
- Monsoons- July to October
Best time to visit: 15 November to 15 June, though the Park is open throughout the year. This is because many roads get washed away due to heavy rains and are only restored by mid-November.
Places to stay: There is no shortage of accommodation but bookings must be done in advance. While there are plenty of resorts and hotels in Ramnagar catering to different budgets, Dhikala is the popular choice. Special permits are required by Park authorities to stay in the forest resorts. The stay here cannot exceed two nights. There are five entry points into the Park. Gairal is a forest rest house located on the banks of the Ramganga River, at the point at which it enters the Forest, it gives a panoramic view. Being out of the way, it provides perfect conditions for viewing wildlife in tranquility.
Jeeps and elephants can be hired for a safari but a guide is mandatory.
Travelers must adhere to the rules of the Reserve.
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