On a Safari of a Lifetime:The Best Time to Visit Jim Corbett Park

It is located just a short drive from the lovely hill stations of Nainital and Manali, in the middle of a jungle. Jim Corbett National Park is the perfect places to visit in Corbett if you need a weekend getaway from the pollution of the city and its hassles. For years now, the Park has been a favourite with jungle and wildlife lovers, honeymooning couples, solo travellers and even families with young children. It is the ideal place to unwind and relax in natural surroundings with your loved ones.

Something to Know About Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park is one of the oldest and most prestigious wildlife sanctuaries in India. It is also the birthplace of the ‘Save Tigers’ movement. Located at the heart of the country, Corbett Park has won over all who have had the chance to visit it. It offers travellers great solace and peace of mind, and even has dollops of adventure for those to crave it. For the wild-hearted amongst us, Jim Corbett park has safaris and for the peace lovers, it has the moonlit sky and the chance to stroll by the beautiful river Kosi. In short, it has something to offer every kind of traveller, whether young or old.

It is a wonderful reserve of natural beauty nestling in the lap of the Himalayas. Jim Corbett National Park’s weather is mostly pleasant and bearable even in the harshest of summers. In fact, even winters here aren’t that extreme in this neck of the woods. Having said that, do check on the Corbett weather before you pack your bags and head here. Weather apps can help you make the most of the time you have here, by guiding you on weather conditions.

The Best Time to Visit Jim Corbett Park

Like with any other location and when planning a holiday, it is important to know the climatic conditions there before you set out. This helps you maximise your time and tick off all the places you wish to see without interruption from unseasonal weather phenomena. The same rule applies to visiting Jim Corbett National Park.

The best time to visit Jim Corbett National Park is between the months of November and June. This encompasses both the winter and summer season for the region. The Park is a veritable treasure trove of activities, jeep safaris and tours, and the prospect of catching wildlife in the jungle setting. Thus, this time span is the best time to visit Jim Corbett Park.

Between November 15 and June 15, the Park has many safaris at different parts of the Park. Do note that the Park is divided into different zones (take a look at their website for your research) which are open at different times of the year. You can book safaris online directly with the Park based on the time of the year you are visiting, and which zone appeals the most to you. Of the eight zones, two are off limits for visitors and are biosphere reserves.

The best time to visit Jim Corbett Park is during the dates mentioned above, since most zones of the Park are open during this time span. So, you can get a lot of sightseeing done within the Park precincts. The following is a season-wise breakup to help you decide the best time to visit Jim Corbett Park:

* Visiting Jim Corbett Park in the summer:

The summer months of March to June are hot and humid in the Park area. Expect to see blazing bright sunlight and have high temperatures during your summer visit. However, in most parts of the Park, you will not feel the heat in the shaded areas because there is a dense canopy of trees overhead in most parts. The weather is warm inside the Park, but not unbearable. It is when you sightsee outside the Park that you get the actual feel of the climate. Obviously, it is better to plan your external sightseeing for the late noon and evening hours. But if you are fine with the heat and humidity, then this is the best time to visit Jim Corbett Park.

Be sure to carry water bottles and tank up on fresh fruit juice or buttermilk/lemon juice with your meals to stay hydrated and stave off heat exhaustion and sunstroke. Little children and senior citizens are particularly susceptible to the heat, so be careful when you head outdoors. It is a good idea to wear light cotton clothing (but not in pastel shades) inside the Park, to keep cool despite the warm weather.

This is also the best time to visit Jim Corbett Park because the chances of animal sightings are quite high. Many animals step out of their hiding places to converge at the watering holes to drink water and refresh themselves in the heat. You can get many superb photographs and take a look at these beautiful animals up close within the confines of your vehicle, of course!

Once outside the Park, you can cool off with river rafting in the Kosi River or take a day long picnic at the Corbett Waterfall.

Visiting Jim Corbett Park in the monsoon

The monsoon season in these parts spans the months of July to September. This is a time of heavy rainfall and the animals also stay away from appearing on the safari trails because of the sheets of rain. This is not the best time to visit Jim Corbett Park because most of the park zones are closed by the Forest officials onwards the monsoon season in the area. There are also frequent landslides here, which makes sightseeing not just dangerous but nearly impossible. If you were taking a holiday during this season, then we suggest skipping the Corbett Park altogether. There are not many things to do in Corbett park during this time.

On the upside, you are allowed to take short walks in the jungle (within allowed zones) and experience the lushness of the forest. There is also a smell of petrichor in the air at the time. This is the best time to visit Jim Corbett Park if you are looking to go for an elephant safari – as it is available during this season.

Another advantage of visiting the Park during this time is that there are hardly any tourists. So, you can sightsee outside the Park in peace and also get Jim Corbett resort bookings quite easily.

Visiting Jim Corbett Park in the winter season

Any visitor to the Park will tell you that the winter season is the best time to visit Jim Corbett Park. There are light mists in the morning which impart a surreal look to the area. Also, the sunlight loses its harshness and makes it ideal for long walks, jungle safaris and sightseeing in the vicinity. You and your family will love the fragrance of sweet flowers and the sight of dew on the leaves. Another reason to visit during this season is that a lot of migratory and exotic birds nest in the jungle. Keep your binoculars and cameras at the ready to capture them at once! When the weather gets too cold, bigger animals amble about looking for sunny spots to rest in – these are wonderful sights to cherish forever.

If you are lucky, you may spot the majestic Bengal Tiger in the Park during this season. Apart from jungle safaris and bird watching, you can indulge in night camping and treks under the guidance of a forest-appointed guide.

What You Must Know About Visiting Jim Corbett National Park

The Jim Corbett National Park is one of the few natural abodes of the Royal Bengal Tiger. This is reason enough for thousands of tourists to make their way to the Park every year. However, sighting the tiger is not always possible, so be prepared for disappointment as well. You might take a jungle safari and traverse the entire zone, and still not see a single tiger. Or you may see the tigers and their cubs in just a short distance into the safari. So, it’s all a matter of chance.

Making noise to attract the wildlife is a strict ‘No’. The Park relies on the good behaviour of visitors to ensure that the animals are not provoked into attacking or chasing the safari vehicles. Do not make any sound when going to through the designated jungle zone, and urge your children also to maintain silence. This way, everyone can enjoy the safari to the fullest without endangering anyone else or scaring the animals.

The Park officials will brief you about maintaining decorum during the safari. Please follow all these instructions to the letter.

The Park also has night safaris, to help visitors acquaint themselves with night time jungle conditions. Many nocturnal animals like the big cats come out during the night. However, do remember not to wear light coloured clothing or spray on perfume or deodorant when coming in close proximity with the animals. Animals are able to hear and smell humans from a long way off, and your scent might draw them closer to the vehicle or make them retreat far away – either of these is not ideal. Camouflage clothing or dark coloured clothing is best for night time jaunts, while dark cotton clothing is advised for day time safaris.

Do not litter the Park zones or throw food at the animals. They will certainly venture close to the vehicle if you do so. It is against all rules to feed animals any food.

Another big rule to follow is to not get out of the vehicle to take close up shots of the animals. There are many cases we hear about in the media of people stepping out of the jeep or bus to take photographs of the animals and birds. This is a bad idea on all levels – you end up endangering yourself, your companions and other vehicles on the safari. It also scares the animals, who might retreat far away (thus ruining the safari for everyone) or run towards you to investigate your presence further. Avoid this at all costs, since it might also invite a penalty and prison term under the Forest Act.

For the uninitiated, there are also many types of exotic flowers inside the Park. You will love their sweet scent and pretty colours. The best time to visit Jim Corbett Park for the flowers is after the monsoon season, right before the summer season begins.

You can easily book safari tours inside the Park online. The Jim Corbett National Park has a dedicated website with all the relevant information about the Park, the available tours with ticket prices, rules to follow inside the Park, and so on. Study the safaris available as per the season, and book the most suitable ones online before you go. This is a wise thing to do, considering you might not get tickets during tourist season if you try to buy them at the Park.

Where to Stay When Visiting Jim Corbett Park

Regardless of which season you visit Jim Corbett National Park, you must ensure that you book yourself and your loved ones into the best resort in the area. A premium resort enhances the experience of the holiday. We recommend the Club Mahindra Corbett Resort for your holiday.

This premium Club Mahindra property offers all the material comforts that you can think of – and some which you hadn’t even thought of! You get to experience the luxury of well-designed rooms, spectacular views from your balcony or terrace, lip smacking local and global cuisines at the onsite eatery – one of the best restaurants in Jim Corbett area – and indulge your senses at the spa. There are different activity zones for both adults and children to keep everyone gainfully occupied. When not exploring the large property and its grounds, you can step out for a walk or hire a vehicle to go shopping or exploring nearby.

About Mahindra Holidays

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited (MHRIL), India’s leading player in the leisure hospitality industry, offers quality family holidays as also stated by Club Mahindra Resort Reviews, primarily through vacation ownership memberships. While Club Mahindra Membership Fees gives you opportunity to explore your holidays across world, the other brands offered by the company are – Club Mahindra Resorts Fundays and Svaastha Spa. As on Mar 31, 2019, MHRIL has 61+ resorts across India and abroad and its subsidiary, Holiday Club Resorts Oy, Finland, a leading vacation ownership company in Europe has 33 resorts across Finland, Sweden and Spain. Visit us at www.clubmahindra.com