Jim Corbett National Park spans 1,288 km² of sal forest, grassland and river along the Ramganga in Uttarakhand, India, established in 1936 as India's first national park. It is home to 260+ Bengal tigers (2022 census), roughly 1,100 elephants and 580+ recorded bird species, spread across 8 safari zones: Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Dhela, Durga Devi, Sitabani, Garjia and Phato.
260+ tigers (2022 census) · 1288 km² core + buffer area · 580+ bird species · 8 safari zones.
The largest zone: grasslands along the Ramganga reservoir, reachable only by the shared Canter safari, not a private jeep. Open 15 Nov-15 Jun.
Dense sal forest a few minutes from Ramnagar town, generally the most reliable zone for tiger and leopard sightings. Open mid-Oct-30 Jun.
The only core-adjacent zone open year-round, with dependable elephant-herd sightings; the default choice during the monsoon closure.
260+ individuals (2022 All-India Tiger Estimation)
~1,100 individuals (2019 estimate), large herds along the Ramganga
Fish-eating crocodilian, reintroduced to the Ramganga
580+ recorded species
20 Jul 2026
Eight zones, one permit each - here is how to match your dates, budget and priorities (tiger odds, birdlife, or avoiding crowds) to the right zone before you book.
12 Jul 2026
Winter, summer or monsoon - each season trades off differently between comfort, tiger-sighting odds and which zones are even open. Here is how to pick.
02 Jul 2026
Most of Jim Corbett closes for the monsoon - but three zones don't. Here's what a July-October visit actually looks like, and why it's worth considering.