Corbett National Park is divided into eight ecotourism zones to properly manage the tourism activities in the tiger reserve area. These zones are the Dhikala zone, Bijrani zone, Jhirna Zone, Garjiya Zone, Sitabani Zone, Pakhro Zone, Dhela zone, and Durga Devi zone. The safari tour is organized in two shifts by the forest officials of Corbett tiger reserve in all of the ecotourism zones. A limited number of safari jeeps are allowed in every zone to ensure proper distribution of tourist flow in all the zones. Each zone has its own natural charm with its specific landscape beauty and wildlife. However, the tiger sighting is more or less equal in every zone along with a little bit of difference in topography as all the zones are part of the same geographical land.

Here are the brief introductions about all the eight tourism zones for which safari tour is organized in the Corbett National Park

Dhikala Zone – Entry Gate: Dhangadi Gate , 32 Km From Ramnagar :

• Open Period for Safari Tour – 15th November to 15th June
• Safari Offered -Day Canter Safari Only (No Jeep Safari)
• Maximum Number Of Canter Safari Seats – 32 Seats in One Shift
• Forest Rest House – 32 Dhikala FRH, Gairal FRH, Sarpduli FRH, Sultan FRH

Dhikala zone keeps celebrity status among all the Corbett National Park tourist zones. It is the most sought-after zone for the day safari as well as for the night stay in the Dhikala forest rest house. Situated in the periphery of the Patil Dun valley, the Dhikala zone is the largest zone of the Corbett National Park and carries a large variety of flora and fauna. The landscape of this zone, which consists of large grasslands known as Chaurs, dense Sal tree forest, and various channels of the Ramganga River offers you an enchanting view of nature. The Panoramic view of the broad valley overlooking the Kanda Ridge in the backdrop is a magnificent scene. Considered the best zone for tiger sightings, it is the most preferred choice for the night stay by wildlife lovers. Other animals like wild elephants, Spotted Deer, Wild pigs, Hog Deer and Barking Deer are mostly seen in this region. If one gets lucky, one may see the tiger chasing a deer in the grassland or beside the water streams. Also, a wide range of bird species are found here, which are like a feast to the eyes of the bird-watchers. In the Dhikala zone, there is no jeep safari available for day visitors. However, one can enjoy the day tour through the Canter safari offered by the forest officials of the Dhikala zone. The Canter safari is an open bus safari with 16 seats in a bus and a total of 2 buses are allowed in one shift. You have to book your seat for the canter safari in advance and visit the Entry gate of the Dhikala zone to catch the canter safari.

Bijrani Zone, Entry Gate: Amdanda Gate, Distance From Ramnagar: 2 Km

• Open Period for Safari Tour – 15th October to 30th June
• Safari Offered –Day Jeep Safari
• Maximum Number Of Jeep Safari – 30 Jeeps in One Shift
• Forest Rest House – BIJRANI FRH, MAILANI FRH

Bijrani zone is no less when it comes to the spectacular natural view or catching a glimpse of the king of the Corbett forest, the Royal Bengal tiger. This zone is the most popular zone after the Dhikala zone and the most visited zone by the day safari tourists. Enriched with an eye-catching landscape, this zone is known for its tranquil and serene ambiance inside the forest. A wide range of wildlife species in this region makes it a unique zone in the Corbett. With the large Grasslands, thick Sal forest, and various water streams, the topography of the Bijrani zone is also as attractive as the Dhikala zone. Along with the enchanting view, this zone also boasts of having a large number of tigers making it the best tiger sighting zone. The Jeep safari is available for day visitors in this zone. One can book the day safari online to get entry into the zone. Day visitors can also avail the facility of the elephant safari within the Bijrani zone, however, it is banned now, but it was available by paying the required fees on the spot on a first-come, first-serve basis. The day safari is organized in two shifts and only 30 safari jeeps are allowed to enter in one shift. One safari jeep can carry a maximum of 6 adults and 2 children excluding the driver and guide/naturist. A guide is mandatory with the jeep to get an entry.

Jhirna Zone, Entry Gate: Dhela Gate, 15 Km From Ramnagar

• Open Period for Safari Tour – Throughout the year (subject to weather condition)
• Safari Offered –Day Jeep Safari
• Maximum Number Of Jeep Safari – 30 Jeeps in One Shift
• Forest Rest House – Jhirna FRH, Dhela FRH

Located on the southern edge of the Corbett National Park, this zone was included much later in the tiger reserve zone, in the year 1994 and got immense popularity among wildlife lovers. As the Jhirna zone is open for day tourists throughout the year, so it is one of the most visited zones in the Corbett Reserve forest. Tiger sighting in this zone is reported frequently and also a wide range of wildlife species are found in this region. Along with the majestic tigers, the wild bears are the main attraction of this zone. Other animals like wild elephants, sambar, and various species of deer along with a large number of bird species are found in this zone. Two shifts of the day safari are allowed in this zone with the 30 jeeps in one shift. You can book the Jeep safari online with a maximum of 6 adults and 2 children in one Jeep. As per the rule, a naturist/guide is mandatory with each jeep.

Dhela Zone, Entry Gate: Dhela Gate, 15 Km From Ramnagar

• Open Period for Safari Tour – Throughout the year (subject to weather condition)
• Safari Offered –Day Jeep Safari
• Maximum Number Of Jeep Safari – 15 Jeeps in One Shift
• Forest Rest House – No FRH in this zone

The Dhela zone is the latest added zone in the tourism zones of the Corbett National Park which was opened in December 2014 for the safari tour. This zone also remains open throughout the year for tourists like the Jhirna zone. However, the safari tour depends on the weather condition. The zone consists of mix topography which includes dense forests of trees like Sal, Haldu, Bahera, Rohini, and Kusum along with large grasslands and various water bodies. This zone is rich in fauna species too with the animals like the Royal Bengal tiger, leopards, wild elephants, Nilgai, different species of Deer, wild bears, and various species of reptiles and birds. This zone is well known, especially for the vast range of bird species, and is considered the best zone for birding. One can book day safari to visit this zone and be a part of the magnificent Corbett park. Apart from the safari entry permit, you also have to book a Jeep and a guide, without which you can’t get entry inside the park.

Durga Devi Zone, Entry Gate: Durga Devi Gate, 28 Km From Ramnagar

• Open Period for Safari Tour – 15th November to 15th June
• Safari Offered –Day Jeep Safari
• Maximum Number Of Jeep Safari – 11 Jeeps in One Shift
• Forest Rest House – Lohachaur FRH

With the hilly landscape, the Durga Devi zone is like a paradise for nature lovers with its enchanting natural surroundings. The zone is situated on the northeast periphery of the Corbett forest which is highly rich in species of flora and fauna. The streams of the Ramganga River and Mandal River enrich the water bodies of this zone and adds to the beauty of this wild forest. The main attractions of this zone, apart from the majestic Tigers, are leopards, wild elephants, and Otters, which are primarily found near the Domunda Bridge. The famous fish known as the Mahsheer fish is found in the river streams of this zone. This zone is also rich in bird species, providing excellent birding opportunities. The bird species found in this zone include Gray Headed Fishing Eagle, Maroon Orile, Black-chinned Yuhina, Long-Tailed Broadbill, slaty blue flycatcher, bar-tailed tree creeper, and plenty of others. The zone is literally a paradise for bird watchers. Jeep safari is organized for this zone and tourists can also stay at night at the Lohachaur Forest Guest House in this zone after making a prior booking.

Sitabani Forest Zone (Buffer Zone), Entry Gate: Near Teda Village (Private Vehicle Allowed), Approx 4 Km From Ramnagar

• Exit Gate – Paulgarh Gate
• Open Period for Safari Tour-All Round the Year
• Safari Offered -Day Jeep Safari , Day Elephant Safari
• Maximum Number Of Jeep Safari – Unlimited
• Forest Rest House – Few Hotels and Resorts run privately

The Sitabani forest zone is the reserve forest zone located outside the Corbett Tiger reserve area. The zone is treated as the Buffer area of the tiger reserve and is open for everyone visiting here. The landscape of this zone has a rich natural view which consists of dense forest and river streams along with many old temples. You will find plenty of herbivore animals like elephants, deer, sambars, Nilgai, and others roaming freely here. Though it is a buffer zone and tigers or leopards sighting are almost negligible here, sometimes these dangerous predators are spotted here in search of their prey. There are around 600 bird species found in this zone among which most of these are the migratory birds. The zone is a delight for bird watchers. Sprawled in a large area that even incorporates many villages in it, one must visit this zone to savour the magical ambiance of the enchanting nature. This zone is a less visited delight of nature as tourists generally prefer to visit the tiger reserve area and give this zone a miss. There is an old temple named Sitabani Temple is located in the forest and is protected and maintained by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI). Along with this, there is also a very old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. These temples are visited by a large number of devotees. It would be a memorable experience to explore this forest and a night safari in the Sitabani forest will be a thrilling experience you will get an adrenaline rush with the quiet and eerie ambiance of the forest and in the anticipation of encountering any wild animal. Visitors are allowed to explore this zone by the Jeep safari, elephant safari, or by walking. Private vehicles are also allowed in this zone. You have to pay the entry fee on the spot at the entry gate in Teda Village to enter the forest reserve area and after exploring the forest you have to exit from the Paulgarh gate, almost 60 km away from the entry gate.

Garjiya Zone, Entry Gate: Amdanda Gate, 9 Km. from Ramnagar

• Exit Gate – Garjiya Gate
• Open Period for Safari Tour- 15th November to 30th June
• Safari Offered – Morning and Evening
• Maximum Number of Jeep Safari – Limited
• Forest Rest House – Garjiya and Malani FRH

Tourists visiting Corbett National Park will not have to be disappointed due to the safari seat not being available or the booking being full. In view of the increasing trend of tourists, the new Ringora Zone or Garjia safari zone in Corbett now started the safari in November. Girija is a new safari zone being added which is now available for tourists for enjoying the safari. So far tourism safari zone in Corbett National Park includes Bijrani, Jhirna, Dhela, Durgadevi, Sitabani, and Pakhro. Having limited safari seats, the Corbett administration has opened the Girija tourism zone for tourists. During peak tourism season many wildlife lovers get disappointed as they do not get a chance to enjoy the safari. However, the practice of opening a new zone was pending for a long time. Garjiya is a very popular jungle area of the picturesque Jim Corbett National Park. This tourism zone is enriched with a large variety of floral and faunal species. When the tourist’s preference in terms of safari is concerned, Garjiya gives tough competition to the Dhikala tourism zone. The zone is popular for its wonderful landscape and it is a very cool and calm place. The dense forest and its natural beauty is admired by visitors. This region is one of the most tiger-reach areas of the Corbett Park.

Phato Zone, Entry Gate: Phato Gate, 26 Km. from Ramnagar

• Exit Gate – Phato Gate
• Open Period for Safari Tour- 15th November to 30th June
• Safari Offered – Morning and Evening
• Maximum Number of Jeep Safari – 50 Jeeps in two shifts
• Forest Rest House – Treehouse stay available

The Best experience can be felt in the presence of nature. As the world opens up to travel and venture daily new exciting aspects beyond beauty then choose destinations away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. Connecting with nature and considering the enticements on offer for explorers, even experiences that would usually burn a hole in your pocket are becoming even more accessible. Dealing with air tickets, or travel means you can pay out more at the destinations themselves. Corbett has the most incredible Corbett National Park Zones which has an exquisite Phato Zone. It is no less than beyond beauty. Phato Zone is one of the well-known zones where the love of wildlife and the pleasant feeling of nature will give good vibes. Tigers are the key animal to be found in Corbett National Park. Phato zone is uniquely beautiful and being here is another level of joy and enchantment. This is a wonderful tourist zone and tourists love to fulfill their excursion cravings. Jeep safari in Phato zone through Phato entry gate in Mohan Nagar Maldhan and the entry gate is 26 km away from Ramnagar. 50 jeep safari each safari conducted in morning and evening respectively for 3 hours. There is an abundance of wildlife here spotting tigers is very easy.