Delhi: Jim Corbett 2-Days National Park Tour with Transfers

India's oldest national park

Corbett was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park — the first in the country — and it is where Project Tiger began in 1973. It covers 1,300 square kilometres of sal forest, grassland and riverbed in the Himalayan foothills, and it holds one of the densest tiger populations anywhere in India.

It is about six hours from Delhi, which is what makes two days the right length.

The drive

Early pickup from Delhi, then north through Moradabad to Ramnagar, the town at the park gate. Check in, lunch, and straight out for the afternoon safari.

The safaris

Two jeep safaris — one afternoon, one at dawn the following day — with a forest department guide in the vehicle, which is compulsory and also the reason you see things you would otherwise drive past.

Tigers are the draw, and Corbett's are genuinely wild rather than habituated, so sightings take luck. What you will reliably see is Asian elephant, often in herds; sambar, chital and hog deer; langur; wild boar; and gharial and mugger crocodile on the Ramganga riverbed.

The birding is exceptional — over 600 species recorded, including the great hornbill, crested serpent eagle, and the ibisbill on the river gravels in winter.

Dhikala is the famous zone, deep inside on the Ramganga reservoir; Bijrani and Jhirna are the more usual day zones. Which one you get is decided by the forest department, not by us.

Two options

Car, jungle guide and two safaris without accommodation, or the same with a three-star resort and meals included.

Practical

Most zones close from mid-June to mid-November for the monsoon; Jhirna and Dhela stay open year-round. November to February is cold and clear; March to June is hot and gives the best sightings at water.

Permits are limited and released in advance — the earlier this is booked the better. Muted clothing, no perfume, and a warm layer for the dawn drive.