Jhirna Zone Tiger jeep safari in Jim Corbett National Park: Why visit?

Last Updated on June 20, 2023 by asoulwindow

Information about Jhirna Zone Jim Corbett

Jhirna forest zone is very popular and one of the most visited wildlife zones in the Jim Corbett National Park for wildlife lovers. Jhirna Zone is famous for easy wildlife spotting. The grand views of the wild animals and birds in their natural habitat left me excited! Here is an exhaustive Jhirna Zone review.

How is Jhirna Zone in Jim Corbett? I visited the Jhirna one along with my father in October. Just a 4 hours and 15 minutes train ride from Ghaziabad landed me in Ramnagar, the main big town, located just 16 kilometers and 30 minutes away from the plush ‘The Golden Tusk Resort’, hotel near Jhirna Gate and the Dhela gate.

The Golden Tusk Resort which turned out to be a rejuvenating stay is also the closest luxury hotel from the Dhela gate and Jhirna Zone. It is one of the best resorts in Jhirna Jim Corbett. Dhela Gate is the main entry to both Jhirna Zone as well as the Dhela Zone in the southern side of Jim Corbett National Park.

Mr. Suresh, the in-house naturist from The Golden Tusk not only took us on the Tiger Safari inside the Jhirna Zone but also educated us about the local village, took me on a cycling trip, shared trivia about local vegetation, pampered us with a relaxing foot spa and lavish Kumaoni meals.

And guess what? We saw 3 tigers within 10 minutes of entering the Jhirna Zone. You can read more on that in the rest of this comprehensive blog on the Jhirna Zone. This is the most detailed travel guide to Jhirna Zone and nearby resort The Golden Tusk on the internet.

Such information-packed Jhirna Safari Zone review are not found in old school travel guidebooks, YouTube Videos and even newspapers and magazines. This Jhirna information will help you plan your vacation well. I am also sharing many Jhirna pictures to give you a fair idea of what to expect.

Why is Jhirna Zone famous?

Jhirna Forest Range is a popular jungle area of the picturesque Jim Corbett National Park. The plush open grasslands of Jhirna Zone offer good visibility of several wild animals in their natural habitat. The short Ramnagar to Jim Corbett distance also make it a popular weekend destination from Delhi NCR. No wonder it is a top tourist attraction. There are also many offbeat places in Jhirna Zone. The lesser-visited places here are not to be missed!

What makes Jhirna zone so popular with tourists and wildlife enthusiasts is the fact that it is so easy to do wildlife sightseeing here. The exciting Jhirna Zone is also famous amongst avid birdwatchers due to the ample opportunities it provides for the bird photographers. The fact that you can stay in luxury 5-star resorts near Jhirna Gate also makes it so popular.

This is why, of all the six ecotourism zones in the Jim Corbett National Park, Jhirna Zone Jim Corbett remains one of the most popular zones for sighting wildlife and enjoying the vast open spaces in the protected forest. The fascinating views of wildlife and nature I saw in the Jhirna Zone stayed with me for a long time.

Nomenclature/Etymology of Jhirna Zone

Jhirna Gate is also known as the Khar Gate. We entered through a well-maintained Dhela Gate. Crossing the grasslands, we entered another checkpoint that allowed us in Jhirna Gate. I am clarifying the same here because the names can get confusing.

Where is Jhirna Zone located?

Jhirna Zone is located 50 minutes of breezy ride away from Ramnagar in Uttarkhand. Lying in the bhabhar or bhabar area of Kumaun, Jhirna Zone is situated towards the southern corner of the world-famous Jim Corbett National Park.

Soul Window Observations

Much like the Terai belt of Dudhwa National Park which falls in the Himalayan foothills, Bhabhar is the name of the region located south of the Lower Himalayas and the Sivalik Hills in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. I learned this while casually talking to Suresh ji while enjoying the vegetarian Kumauni Thali at the terrace which overlooked the beautiful Bhabhar landscape and Dhela River.

Some of the terai regions I have explored include the historical Lumbini and Chitwan National Park in Nepal and major Buddhist sites near Lucknow such as Kushinagar, Shravasti and Piprahwa or Kapilvastu.

Map of Jhirna Zone Jim Corbett

Reading Jhirna Zone map helped me understand the geography of the place better. This is why I am sharing a well-marked Map of Jhirna Zone Jim Corbett below. It will make this Jim Corbett Jhirna Zone review even more useful for you. We also visited Amangarh Tiger Reserve area. A closed gate near it headed towards the Kalagarh Dam, where my dad wanted to go.

Most resorts in Jhirna Jim Corbett provide map as well. The other places as seen on the map of Jhirna Zone are listed as following:

• Waterhole
• Dhela FRH
• Entry Gate
• Other Road
• Khara Gate
• Major Road
• Range Office
• Watch Tower
• Kaniya Village
• Kalagarh Gate
• Forest Chowki
• Laldhang Village
• Ramnagar Town
• Sawaldey Village
• Dhara Sot (nullah)
• Jhirna Sot (nullah)
• Wildlife Study Road
• Human Settlement
• Jhirna Tourism Road
• Amangarh Tiger Reserve
• Tourism Zone Boundary
• Forest Rest House or Van Vishram Grah

History of Jhirna Zone

Historical significance of Jhirna Zone is interesting. During the jeep safari in Jhirna Jim Corbett, just as we entered the Dhela Gate, we saw large fields of grassland. The dense forests were located in far distance. Suresh ji told us that the grasslands, which had a flat landscape, were a vestige of a village which once existed here. However, to conserve wildlife, the village was relocated under Project Tiger to a different location in the year 1994.

The relocation of the farming lands of the Jhirna village and human settlements helped in extending the Tiger reserve zone and allowed them to thrive sans human intervention.

I even spotted many small Hindu temples here. Needless to stay, these are the only existing cemented buildings which remind us of the villagers who once lived here.

The names of the villages were Jhirna, Dhara and Kothirau. What was once a farming land had now been reclaimed by nature. The ecological recovery of the land was heartening to see. This is why, many wild animals roam here nonchalantly. I saw many herbivorous animals here such as elephants and deer. I noticed dry vegetation and shrubs here. There were no dense forests here unlike the ones we saw in other parts of Jhirna Zone.

Soul Window Fun Facts

Amangarh Tiger Reserve, which we visited during Jhirna Zone safari actually falls in the Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh and not Uttarakhand. Not many tourists know that they can cross state borders in Jhirna Zone. Both Uttar Pradesh as well as Uttarakhand share a part of Jhirna Zone of Jim Corbett.

Uttarakhand was after all a part of larger Uttar Pradesh till November 9, 2000. Uttarakhand was initially known as Uttaranchal. During partition of states, approximately 30 square kilometres of area of Jhirna Zone was allotted to Uttar Pradesh. Needless to say, Tigers roam in the Uttar Pradesh part of Jim Corbett as well. The boundaries are only for humans!

When was Jhirna Zone established?

Despite Jim Corbet National Park, Jhirna zone was created much later in the year 1994. Even now, new zones keep coming up every now and then in the famous Jim Corbett National Park or JCNP.

Soul Window Facts

Christened after the colonial conservationist and naturalist Jim Corbett, it was announced as a National Park as early as 1936. In fact, my dad surprised me and Suresh ji with his knowledge (which he seldom shares) when he casually mentioned its date of establishment, while also adding that Jim Corbett National Park was also the first national park of India. I did not know this. Did you?

Is Elephant safari available in Jim Corbett?

I highly advise against elephant safari as it exploits them. Elephants belong in wild. Period! Not only does jeep safari offer better views, it is also more ethical than elephant safari.

Tiger Jeep Safari in Jhirna Zone

As is common for all National Parks of India, it is compulsory to hire a local naturist or guide and the safari vehicle which may include canter van or jeep. The Tiger Safari jeeps work two shifts in a day with the maximum of 30 Jeeps in a shift. Tiger safari is only allowed in the buffer zone and not the core area in Jim Corbett.

Tiger Sightings in Jhirna Zone safari Jim Corbett

Can we see tiger in Jhirna Zone of Corbett? Is Tiger Sighting in Jhirna common? Is it easy to spot a Tiger in Jhirna Range? Here is my detailed Jhirna Safari Zone review. Not many people know that Jhirna Zone Tiger sighting is very common.  

Needless to say, these are some of the most commonly asked question people ask before they book a trip to Jhirna Zone. In my experience, Jhirna Zone turned out to be a very rewarding playground for tiger sightings. In fact, Jhirna Zone is one of the most tiger rich zones of the Jim Corbett National Park.

What also makes Jhirna Zone a must-visit zone for the wildlife enthusiasts is the fact that it is one of the best places to spot wild tigers in their natural habitat. To be able to enjoy tiger sighting in their natural habitat is one of the main reasons why people visit Jhirna Zone. Tiger pug marks and calls of deer, sambar and langurs are used to understand and track the movement of tigers.

I was lucky to spot 3 Tigers in the very first visit to Jhirna Zone. The moment we entered Jhirna Zone after crossing the scenic Jhirna River, we observed a commotion. Many safari jeeps had parked near a water body. “4 Tigers are sitting here”, said someone. We also joined the crowd, switched off the engine and waited patiently. There was pin drop silence, which after few minutes was broken by the Alarm call of the deer. It was followed by commotion. All the jeep rushed in the direction of the call. I could see which deer made the call. We parked again, competing for the best vantage point. If possible, we could have parked even upon each other!

We could hear our breaths. Such was the silence as we waited patiently. Suddenly a Tiger appeared. He crossed the road and after few seconds disappeared, never to be seen again. After sometime, 2 more tigers passed. There were 4 tigers there. 1 mother and 3 cubs, we were told. I saw 3 of them.

The sightings of Tigers in Jhirna Zone are mostly excellent. During my visit, I was told that the tigers have been spotted regularly since the past few days on both morning as well as evening safari. However, all said and done, do not be disappointed if you fail to spot a Tiger in Jhirna Zone. There are many other interesting creatures that can be easily seen in Jhirna Zone. Not to forget, the picturesque landscape of the Jhirna Jim Corbett itself merits a visit.

Soul Window Moments

I could not believe my luck that within 10 minutes of entering the Jhirna gate, I saw 3 tigers. The last time when I was so lucky was when I saw 6 tigers in one day in the famous Ranthambore National Park of Rajasthan. Similarly, I saw a tiger on my first safari to Bandhavgarh National Park of Madhya Pradesh as well.  

Wild Asian Elephant Sighting in Jhirna Zone safari

While doing the Jhirna Zone safari on a jeep, I observed that the plush open grasslands offered amazingly good visibility of wild animals such as elephants, jackals, deer and wild boars. While returning from the evening jeep safari, I was really hoping to see wild elephants. Till now I had seen wild elephant only once in India, in Manas National Park of Assam. During my visit to Uganda, of course I saw countless Wild African Elephants.

I must have skipped a breath when I saw few Wild Asiatic Elephants leisurely grazing in the wide-open grasslands. The tall grasses hid their lower body. I went click happy when Suresh Ji told me he can see 3 more elephants which are standing even more closer. We rushed to the spot and I my jaws dropped as I saw a mother elephant with a calf and another adult elephant. They must be just a few meters away from our jeep.

The calf was always hidden between the two adult elephants. The elephant I saw in Manas National Park was also accompanied by a calf. The mother had in fact charged at me aggressively. I thought it was my last day till a local man saved me. I was happy that the mother elephant didn’t charge at us in Jhirna Zone. They didn’t even seem to care about our presence and continued grazing nonchalantly.

Sambar on vertical rock-face

We have all seen videos and images of Mountain Goats such as the Alpine Ibex on steep mountain in places like the near vertical Cingino Dam of Italy etc. The scientists have explained it thus: the salt-crusted stones of the dam provide the much-required essential nutrients to the herbivorous animals. This is why they lick the stones with such gravity defying stunts.

I saw some sambar deer and spotted deer aka Chital also climbing north-wards on a rock face which was almost 90 degrees. They had already climbed very high. I wondered how did they even plan to come back. I had no idea I would see something like this in India since most of such related documentaries are made in the West. I also saw some more deer at the base of the rock face who grazed by the serene Dhela River.

How they manage to do this has always baffled humans. Since they don’t have paws or claws, how do they even manage to grip on the vertical walls or rock faces? How do they know where to place their legs, I wonder? This is astonishing! By the looks of this it would seem like these beautiful creatures are even better climbers than us! With tools and ropes we have a clear advantage, but hand to hoof I think we lose!

Some have explained it as follows. With split hooves and rubber-like soles, an alpine ibex finds it easy to cling to an almost vertical rock face. I am not sure if sambar deer and spotted deer I saw in similar situation have the same advantage.

Is it not awe inspiring to see the animals adapt to their environment so well? I had not seen anything like this in person before! They do this, perhaps because they just don’t realise it’s impossible to do this! Imagine being some sort of predator and you’re chasing this goat, and they just walk up the wall like it’s nothing. Phew!

Red-Jungle Fowl couple

I have been on many safaris in India and also saw the Red-Jungle Fowls many times. It was always a fleeting glimpse though. Things changed in the Jhirna Zone of Corbett. A female red-jungle peafowl was foraging for food at a path where several half-eaten bel fruits (wood apple) were left after the deer, langurs and Rhesus macaques had their share.

We stopped our jeep immediately. She didn’t look scared and I couldn’t believe it! We took our sweet time to take as many shots as possible. Soon, another male red jungle peafowl who was far more visually stunning (men rock!) appeared. The couple nonchalantly foraged right in the middle of the mud path, ignoring our presence.

I had never seen such fearless red-junglefowls in my life. However, the red jungle fowl I saw during the climb to Mata Vaishno Devi in Jammu was also a little fearless. After a while we left, because the red junglefowl couple was still not showing any sign of fear and not running helter-skelter in the way I am used to seeing them in jungle.

Indian Jackal displaying the rule of the jungle

Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882) proposed the theory of ‘Survival of the fittest’. A few hundred years later I saw it playing it out in the open. At the beginning of the jeep safari in Jhirna Zone, I had expressed my desire to see jackals in wild. I had seen many in the Pench National Park which lies in both Maharashtra as well as Madhya Pradesh. Towards the end of the jungle safari, I finally saw a jackal. It was one of my last animal sightings in the Jhirna Zone and also the most heart-breaking one.

Just as we were heading towards the Dhela gate exit, just before crossing the river, we saw an Indian jackal lying on the ground. Initially I thought he/she was not alive. Only I had noticed the jackal. I had not seen anything like this before in the wild. I requested Suresh ji to stop and he obliged.

The jackal then moved the ear and lifted the head. It was very much alive but not running away despite our close proximity. We took the jeep a little ahead to have a better view of the jackal. Someone said that maybe a jeep has hit the jackal. I looked at the jackal carefully. It didn’t seem hit by a vehicle. Rather, I noticed blood marks on the forehead and near eyes and ears of the jackal. Rest of his/her body seemed healthy.  He/she seemed to be suffering from a disease which could even be Rabies. It seemed even the predators stayed away, which is why, the jackal lied on open ground without a care.

Soul Window Moments!

As an animal lover, I wanted to help. I have rescued some animals and birds in the past. But I reminded myself about the rule of the jungle; about the survival of the fittest. The jackal will meet the fate he/she is destined to meet. Maybe it was some past life karma the jackal is paying for! I should rather not intervene and see Darwin’s theory play out in the open! With sad eyes!

Wild Boar and offsprings!

Just as we were leaving the Jhirna Zone, during sun-set we saw a mother Wild Boar along-with the offsprings. The last time, I was able to click pictures of Wild Boars was in the Tal Chappar Blackbuck Sanctuary near Nagaur in Rajasthan. They were drinking from a waterhole and I clicked to my heart’s content. But that was not a national park.

Soul Window Thoughts

During my several visits to various National Parks of India such as Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan or Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh, I have only seen wild boars running away in a hurry. I could never click them. Much like the red jungle fowls. Until this magical wildlife safari I did in the Jhirma Zone.

The wild boar I saw did what it does the best. True to the Varaha Avatar of Vishnu Bhagwan, the female wild boar we saw dug all the ground which she could. She didn’t move away despite us being so close to her. Her offspring though scurried away into the grasslands when they saw our jeep stop. 5 of them. It was a sight to behold. We stopped for a long time here while also watching elephants (the same one with the calf) and spotted deer cross the road in far distance lyrically.

Animal sightings in Jhirna Zone

Which animals can be spotted in the Jhirna Zone safari? This Jhirna Safari Zone review answers all your queries. Tigers, elephants and sloth bears are regularly spotted in the Jhirna Zone of Jim Corbett National Park. This is the reason why Jhirna zone in Jim Corbett national park is a must-visit place for tourists.

A jeep safari here was satisfying to me. In fact, the safari in Jhirna one turned out to be one of my most rewarding wildlife safaris in India. The fact that it is easy to spot Tigers in Jhirna Zone make it exciting and popular.

During the jeep safari, you must remain patient and wait silently. Spending as much time as possible inside Jhirna Jim Corbett enhances the chances of spotting wildlife.

Some of the animals and birds we spotted easily in the Jhirna Zone Jim Corbett are

• Rhesus macaque or Macaca mulatta
• Many Sambar deer or Rusa unicolor
• 3 Royal Bengal Tiger or Panthera Tigris Tigris
• 5 Asian elephants or Elephas maximus with calf
• The Indian jackal or Canis aureus indicus. (injured)
• The wild boar or Sus scrofa cristatus with offspring
• The red junglefowl (Gallus gallus): male and female
• Many Chital or Spotted deer or Axis deer or Axis Axis or Cervus axis.
• Indian peafowl or Pavo cristatus (We saw both peacock and peahen)
• Several Northern plains Gray Langur, also called Hanuman langurs or Hanuman monkeys or Semnopithecus entellus.

Fauna of Jhirna Zone

Enriched with a wide variety of faunal and floral species, Jhirna Zone is a tourist magnet! A wide variety of wild animals can be easily spotted over a jeep safari.

There are 4 types of deer found across Jim Corbett National Park out of which only 3 deer species are found in the Jhirna Zone which are Sambhar deer, Spotted deer (aka axis deer or Chital) and the barking deer or kakad. The Hog deer which is not found in the Jhirna Zone or Dhela Zone is found in the grasslands of the famous Dhikala Zone.

Below are the wild animals which can be spotted in the Jhirna Zone of Jim Corbett National Park:

• Jackal
• Langur
• Wild boar
• Wild hare
• Porcupine
• Sloth bear
• Mongoose
• Fishing cat
• Sambar deer
• Indian Hog Deer
• Nilgai or blue ox
• Asian elephants
• Royal Bengal Tigers
• Yellow throated Marten
• Spotted deer or Cheetal

Below are the birds which can be spotted in the Jhirna Zone of Jim Corbett National Park:

• Peacock
• Red jungle fowl -male and female

Flora of Jhirna Gate Jim Corbett

The topography of the Jhirna Forest Range mostly comprises of secondary forests and dry deciduous jungles. What also made the landscape of Jhirna Forest unique for me is the fact that large Grassland called as the Laldhang Chaur alternate between the dense forests.

Chaur means grassland in the local language. In the summer season, the grass here is not as tall and dense. This is why the visibility is far netter and it is easier for tourists to see till far. The grasslands of Jhirna were all brown when I visited on 18^th October.

Rohini tree or Mallotus philippensis is the favourite one of Asiatic elephants. We saw a fallen Rohini tree which indicated movement of elephants who destroyed it. The elephants love to eat stems and branches of Rohini tree.

Some of the trees and shrubs found in Jhirna Zone are

• Sal
• Teak
• Rohini
• Grassland

Bhabhar Landscape of Jhirna Zone Jim Corbett

Jhirna sightseeing itself is very rewarding apart from the animal spotting. The spectacular view of unique Bhabhar landscape of Jhirna Zone left us asking for more! We came across several water streams here which support all the animals, birds and other wildlife here. The natural ambiance of Jhirna range is worth writing home about! The mind-blowing landscapes of Jhirna range which comprises of dense forests interspersed with vast grasslands called as Chaur left a lasting impression on me.

The herbivorous mammals such as spotted deer or Cheetal, wild Asiatic elephants, blue ox or Neelgai, Sambar (Rusa unicolor) and other deer species love to graze on the large Chaur known as Laldhandh Chaur.

Places to see in Jhirna Zone Uttarakhand

Located in the southern periphery of the world-famous Jim Corbett National Park in the hill state of Uttarakhand, India, Jhirna Zone is a popular choice for many tourists.

The Jhirna jeep safari zone is one of the most eye-catching spots located within the gorgeous Corbett Tiger Reserve. However, there are still a lot of interesting places where you can visit near Jhirna Zone.

Below are some of the best tourist places in Jhirna Zone.

Jhirna Old Forest Rest House

Also known as Jhirna Old F.R.H. it is a vestige of the British rule in India. Built in the year 1899, this small building has British style simple architecture. A part of it was built in the year 1908. Jhirna Old FRH is surrounded by mixed deciduous forests. Leopard and blue bull (Nilgai) sightings are very frequent here. The dense bamboo patches around the Jhirna FRH are an ideal habitat for wildlife.

The doors and windows of Old Jhirna FRH were closed when I visited. I peeped inside from a window. It looked like someone was still staying there. I saw a small room with a double bed, chair, an in-built fireplace, a washroom and even curtains.

I also craned my neck to discover the impressive wooden ceiling. Despite its remoteness and small size, it is a well-preserved building. It reminded me of my previous visit to the Corbett Museum built within another heritage bungalow in the nearby Kaladhungi. There is also a canteen within this heritage building where you can get okayish tea and snacks. Do not miss this major attraction of Jhirna Zone.

200 years old Banyan Trees

Right opposite the old Forest Rest House is a huge unpaved campus. I noticed two old banyan Trees the age of which was estimated to be around 200 years approximately. Both the trees stood out due to its sheer size and girth! We paid a visit to the old Jhirna F.R.H. and the banyan trees to get some refreshments before returning back to the exit gate. These trees are the highlights of Jhirna Zone.

Machan

You can also climb atop a Machan or watch tower to enjoy bird’s eye view of the Jhirna Zone and who knows, you might end up spotting a few animals and birds? Set up by the Corbett National Park authorities, it serves as a good vantage point for not only spotting animals and birds but also for landscape photography. It is one of the top sightseeing attractions of Jhirna Zone.

Top things to do around Jhirna Zone

If you are done with exploring the sightseeing places of Jhirna Zone, then you can explore the other activities on offer in resorts and hotels.

There are so many interesting things to do in Jhirna Zone that even 2 days are not enough. Apart from Jhirna sightseeing, you can also engage yourself in the activities facilitated by the resorts.

Yoga and Meditation in Jhirna Uttarakhand

The premises of The Golden Tusk Resort are very calm and serene, making it an apt place for Yoga and meditation sessions and workshops. Unroll your Yoga Mats on the large Plumeria lawns and practise Yoga, meditation etc outdoors in complete silence. The property also gets ample sunshine, making it a perfect place to do Surya Namaskar.

Cycling near Jhirna Zone of Jim Corbett National Park

Suresh ji also took me for an early morning cycle expedition. It was a refreshing session where I learned a lot about local culture, food practices besides enjoying the breath-taking scenery of the Bhabhar region. We stopped at lush green soyabean fields, passed through villages, hiked to a small hill top temple, had tea at a dhaba, saw pugmarks, rode over the Dhela River, the works!  I also saw a plant of petha and its fruit which is used to make Indian sweet, also known as petha. Agra is known for both Taj Mahal and petha.

Do read my entire blog on cycling in Jim Corbett near Jhirna Uttarakhand. I have shared all my cycling experiences and travel tips here. Do share both blogs with your friends and family so that more people can benefit. My blog A Soul Window has been awarded as the No 1 travel blogger in India many times.

Go Swimming

You can soak as long as you want in the two swimming pools of the The Golden Tusk Resort. The best part is that the Swimming pool is planned in such a way that it gets ample sunshine throughout the day. Read a book by the pool, sunbathe or just chat up with your friends.

Village Walk

There are some interesting villages around The Golden Tusk Resort where you can take leisurely walks while also learning about the local lifestyle. Mr. Suresh educated us on the local customs, culture and food practises of Kumaun region as we walked through the village. Places near Jhirna Uttarakhand are very intriguing. We also passed through many houses, temples and shops.

Hit The Bar

The tastefully decorated in-house bar of The Golden Tusk Resort, known as the Gin Tree Bar has the right ambiance and selection. You can sit back and have a drink while looking out from the large glass windows.

Every evening, The Golden Tusk Resort also arranges for open air bar opposite on the Plumeria gardens, which is located right opposite the ambient al fresco restaurant Jungle Grill. You can enjoy a drink or two under the stars while enjoying to the flute show.

Bonfire

You can also request for a bonfire on the Plumeria lawns of The Golden Tusk Resort during the High Tea or even later. During my visit, many in-house guests enjoyed snacking around the bonfire.

They also serve complimentary snacks such as bread pakora, samosa, sandwiches, cakes, cookies etc along with high Tea. The menu changes every-day.

Flute Show

While I was staying in The Golden Tusk Resort, every evening a flute show was organised in the Plumeria Garden opposite Jungle Grill restaurant. The musical instrument played by the local man was more like a bagpiper. He explained the history of the instrument and told me how it reached India. You can see more on my YouTube Channel. You can search for A Soul Window on YouTube and subscribe.

Go Gymming

I know, no one travel to Corbett for gyms but if you are a serious gym-goer, then rest assured, you will not miss out on the weightlifting and cardio. The Tattva Gym of The Golden Tusk has gymnasium facilities as well within its premises.

Play Indoor Games

Below is the complete list of the free indoor games which The Golden Tusk Resort offers in their recreation room called as ‘The Den’:

• Uno
• Ludo
• Chess
• Scrabble
• Monopoly
• Playing Card
• Table Tennis
• Board Games
• Carrom Board
• Building Blocks
• Snakes and Ladder
• Pool Table (chargeable)

Play Outdoor Games

Below is the complete list of the free outdoor games which The Golden Tusk Resort offers:

• Cycling
• Basketball
• Badminton
• Cricket
• Football
• Water Polo
• Croquet
• Volleyball

Play Adventure Sports

Below is the complete list of the in-house adventure sports which The Golden Tusk Resort offers:

• Tyre Web
• Flying Fox
• Rappelling
• Wall Climbing
• Ladder Climbing
• Burma Bridge
• Zig Zag
• Commando’s Net

Read a book

The Jhirna Safari Zone review is incomplete without mentioning some related books on wildlife.

Candle light dinners

On request, The Golden Tusk also arranges for a romantic set up right in the premises of the gardens. The table is decorated with flowers, candles and lights and is set in secluded place away from other guests. Many Couples love to book the romantic candle light dinner for a reasonable extra fee. This is one of best things to do near Jhirna Zone.

Wedding Destination in Jim Corbett near Jhirna Zone

You can also get engaged or married at The Golden Tusk Resort. The area around Corbett makes for a lovely wedding destination. Whether you want to get engaged or married at the sprawling Plumeria lawns of The Golden Tusk or the banquet area, the choice is all yours.

Corporate Offsite

The Golden Tusk is also a great destination for corporate off sites. The convention centre called as The Hive is apt for holding conferences, seminars, presentations and meetings etc. The proximity from the offices of New Delhi, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Noida and Greater Noida make The Golden Tusk a perfect place for offsites.

Kid Zone

Jhirna Zone area can also be a refreshing weekend escape for kids. There is a separate adventure activity area for kids where you can engage them. The kid zone of The Golden Tusk Resort has something for kids of all age groups. Told you places near Jhirna Zone are great picnic spots!

Organic Garden

The Golden Tusk Resort alos grows its own vegetables. You can visit their organic gardens and can see how and what vegetables they grow in their kitchen garden. I personally appreciated the farm to table concept. It is always fulfilling to see where your food is coming from!

Spa: Of massages and relaxation

The Golden Tusk Resort near Jhirna Zone, Khara Gate and Dhela Gate of Jim Corbett National Park also boasts of the much-needed spa services at the Golden Flower Spa. You can get an ayurvedic massage, a leg massage, a head massage etc here by trained professionals. My dad enjoyed a relaxing leg massage here which he was happy with. It left him refreshed, he said.

I was happy to see some of the staff here who belonged to Mon Town near Longwa of Nagaland in Far East India. You can enjoy the spa between the morning and evening safari.

Birdwatching in Jhirna Zone Jim Cobett

Thanks to the steep cliff edges and large widespread stream beds in Jhirna Zone, it makes for an excellent hot spot for bird watching. Suresh Ji told me that many varieties of birds, both endemic and migratory are spotted in and around Jhirna Gate Jim Corbett regularly. There are a total of around 600 species of birds found in the Jhirna Zone.

Keep your eyes peeled while staying at The Golden Tusk because you can spot some of the birds right within the property premises. There are around 16-17 species of woodpeckers in Jhirna Zone. I had actually seen one while leaving the forest. A rare raptor known as the Collared Falconet (Microhierax caerulescens) is alsofound in Jhirna Zone in winters. It is a very small raptor. These exotic raptors arrive in winter and stay here till as late as March.InterestinglyCollared Falconet sits on the tip of the dead trees. Collared Falconet is so strong that it can kill others birds suchred junglefowland small animals which are four times heavier than its own weight.

Jim Corbett falls in the Bhabhar area. The water doesn’t stop in the Bhabhar region. This is why it is not very common to spot storks and cranes in Jhirna Zone. Birds like demoiselle crane are therefore not found here.  

Below is the complete checklist of birds found in and around the Jhirna Zone, Dhela Ramnagar and The Golden Tusk Resort:

• Black Francolin
• Red Jungle Fowl
• Indian Peafowl
• Indian Pond Heron
• Little Egret
• Cattle Egret
• Intermediate Egret
• Honey Buzzard
• Black Shouldered Kite
• Black Kite
• Egyptian Vulture
• Himalayan Griffon Vulture
• Red-headed Vulture
• Crested Serpent Eagle
• Shikra
• Common Kestrel
• Indian Thick-knee
• River Lapwing
• Red-wattled Lapwing
• Rock Pigeon
• Oriental Turtle Dove
• Laughing Dove
• Emerald Dove
• Spotted Dove
• Collared Dove
• Yellow-Footed Green Pigeon
• Alexandrine Parakeet
• Rose-Ringed Parakeet
• Plum-Headed Parakeet
• Greater Coucal
• Asian Koel
• Indian Cuckoo
• Brown Fish Owl
• Spotted Owlet
• Indian Nightjar
• Common Hoopoe
• Indian Roller
• White-throated Kingfisher
• Green Bee-Eater
• Indian Grey Hornbill
• Lineated Barbet
• Coppersmith Barbet
• Brown-caped Pygmy Woodpecker
• Long-tailed Shrike
• Black hooded Oriole
• Black Drongo
• Ashy Drongo
• Spangled Drongo
• Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo
• White-throated fantail
• Asian Paradise flycatcher
• Rufous Treepie
• House Crow
• Indian Jungle Crow
• Large-billed Crow
• Great Tit
• Red-vented Bulbul
• Red-Whiskered Bulbul
• Barn Swallow
• Plain Prinia
• Ashy Prinia
• Common Tailorbird
• Jungle Babbler
• Oriental White-Eye
• Bank Myna
• Common Myna
• Asian Pied Starling
• Oriental Magpie Robin
• Brahminy Starling
• Indian Robin
• White-Browed Wagtail
• Blue throated Berbet
• Brown Rockchat
• Purple Sunbird
• House Sparrow
• Baya Weaver
• Scaly Breasted Munia
• Black necked stork
• Wooly necked stork

Butterfly Spotting near Jhirna Gate Jim Corbett

Below is the complete checklist of butterfly species found in and around the Jhirna Zone, Dhela Zone and The Golden Tusk Resort:

• Psyche.common or Leptosia nina (Fabricius). Its size is 20-35 mm.
• Common Leopard or Phalanta phalantha (Drury). Its size is 50-60 mm.
• Striped Blue Crow.common or Euploea Mulciber (Cramer). Its size is 90-100 mm.
• Lime Butterfly or Papilio demoleus (Linnaeus). Its size is 80-100 mm.
• Common Wanderer or Pareronia valeria (Cramer). Its size is 65-80 mm.
• Common Jezebel.very common or Delias eucharis (drury). Its size is 66-80 mm.
• Common Emigrant.very common or Catopsilia Pomona (Fabricius). Its size is 55-80 mm.

Excursions from Jhirna Zone

There are many places of interest near Jhirna Gate Jim Corbett. Other tourist spots and other places to see near Jhirna zone and Jim Corbett National Park are as below:

• Bijrani
• Dhikala
• Corbett falls
• Kalagarh Gate
• Sitabani Temple
• Sona Nadi Range
• Corbett Museum
• Kaladungi Museum
• Dhangarhi Museum
• Garjiya Devi Temple
• Sitabani Forest Reserve
• Dhangari/Dhangadi gate

Other Zones of Jim Corbett national Park and Entry Gate, Location

Below are some of the main zones of Jim Corbett National Park along with their respective entry gates and locations.

• Rengora Zone
• Landscape Sitavani
• Garjia or Garjiya Safari Zone.
• Durgadevi Zone is entered through Durgadevi gate.
• Dhela Zone entered is entered through Dhela gate.
• Bijrani Zone entered through Amdanda is located at Bijrani FRH, Malani FRH.
• Jhirna Zone entered through Dhela gate is located at Jhirna FRH, Dhela FRH.
• Dhikala Zone entered through Dhangarhi gate is located at Dhikala FRH, Sultan FRH, Sarpduli FRH, Gairal FRH.
• Sonanadi Zone entered through Vatanvasa gate is located in Halduparao FRH, Mudiapani FRH, Rathuwadhab FRH.

Also Read: Jhirna or Dhela: Which is better?

Vegan and Vegetarian Food in and around Jhirna Zone

Jungle Grill, the concept dining and bar is a speciality restaurant of The Golden Tusk. This restaurant is very ambient especially when lit in the evening. A few stairs which lead from the dining area on the ground floor took us to roof top dining area where we had lip-smacking Kumauni food.

The setting was the picturesque rooftop dining area of its a la carte restaurant called as Jungle Grill. We devoured authentic vegetarian food of Kumaun while soaking in sweeping views of the Dhela River and countless round stones strewn across the land.

Every morsel of food was enjoyed while also keeping an eye for a deer or elephant or tiger. In the evening and early morning, many animals can actually be spotted here.

I loved that the vegetables are grown in the kitchen garden of the property and the spices are ground on the traditional Sil Batta. The earthy aroma it imparted to the dishes were satisfying!  This Jhirna Zone Resort sure knows how to delight its guests!

Below are the Kumaoni dishes, we filled our faces with:

• Chas
• Salad
• Laai Saag
• Bhat Ki Daal
• Gahat ki daal
• Jhangore Ki Kheer
• Kumauni mustard Rayta
• Fresh Soyabean Chutney
• Bhang (Hemp) Ki Chutney
• Manduwe Ki Roti (Ragi Roti) and rice
• Pahadi Jholi (Kumaun version of Kadhi)
• Gaderi (giant Arvi/colocassia) fried in Jakhiya

The lavish breakfast buffet of The Golden Tusk included idli, vada, poha, alu-poori, chola-bhatura, upma, baked beans, savoury semiya, toast, croissants etc. Lunch and dinner buffet included rajma, Thai curry with steamed rice, soya chop, papad, aam pana, soups, boondi raita, pineapple raita, paneer Bhojpuri, cheese tomato, moong daal, alu matar, palak mirch ka salan, lemon rice.

The desserts were equally delicious here. From cupcakes to ice cream and kheer to rabri and gulab jamun there was something for everyone. I also enjoyed the dishes from the a la carte menu of The Jungle Grill restaurant of The Golden Tusk. The multi cheese mushroom pizza here was delicious and portion size was huge!

Is it safe to visit Jhirna Zone?

It is very safe to visit Jhirna Zone. You must maintain safe distance from wild animals (even deer and elephants) for your and their safety. All the points of attractions of Jhirna Zone are safe to visit.

Souvenirs Shopping Guide to Jhirna Zone

What can I buy in Jhirna Zone Corbett? Most hotels near Jhirna gate Corbett have an in-house souvenir shop. The Golden Tusk Resort for example sells interesting cow dung diyas, books, T shirts, key-chains, magnets in its small souvenir shop within the reception area.

What currency is used in Jhirna Zone?

INR or Indian Rupees are accepted in Jhirna Zone. Digital payment is also accepted in big resorts and hotels.

ATM in Jhirna Zone

There are very few ATMs near Jhirna Zone. The possibility is that the next functional ATM will be in Ramnagar, a good 30 minutes away. Therefore, it is wise to carry lots of cash before coming here.

Photography Tips for Jhirna Zone

Obtain permits from the Chief Wildlife Warden for making films or professional documentaries in the premises of the Jim Corbett National Park.

Hire local tourist guide in Jhirna Zone

It is mandatory to hire registered nature guide in Jhirna Zone. It is not possible to do a jungle safari in Jhirna Zone without the compulsory guide or naturist. You should utilize the service of the in-house naturalist of The Golden Tusk Resort who will escort you for the safari. The trained nature guides can make all the difference because they are well versed with the ways of the jungle and are of great help in spotting the wildlife. The naturalists and guides here speak both English and Hindi.

Languages spoken in Jhirna Range

Kumaoni, English and Hindi are the most common language spoken and understood here. Most of the staff of resorts in Jhirna Jim Corbett speak good English and Hindi.  

Toilet facility in Jhirna Zone

There are clean toilets next to the canteen of the old Jhirna Forest Rest House. You can take a loo-break easily during safari in Jhirna Zone. Outside Jhirna Zone, toilets are available only in the few resorts and hotel that exist here. There are no public toilet or standalone restaurants around Jhirna Zone.

Jhirna zone entry gate

Where is Jhirna zone gate? I was amused to see that to reach the entrance gate of the Jhirna zone we had to enter the Dhela Gate first.

Entry fee in Jhirna Zone

Tickets for paid entry can be bought from Corbett Safari Booking Centre.

Backpacking Budget Travel Tips for Jhirna Zone

Jhirna Zone can be inexpensive and pocket friendly. I was shocked to see that even the air conditioned train tickets from New Delhi to Ramnagar were so cheap. Public transport is also available till a certain time near Jhirna Zone.

Solo Trip Tips for Jhirna Zone

Yes, it is possible to do solo trip in Jhirna Zone. If you are alone, to save costs, you can request to ‘adjust’ you in one of the jeep safaris and share costs.

Luxury travel Tips for Jhirna Zone

There is no dearth of luxury if you book your Jhirna Zone trip with luxury properties like The Golden Tusk. From luxury villas to fine dining, everything is available here

Where to stay in Jhirna Zone

While the Forest rest House in Jhirna Zone can also be booked, most of the tourists prefer to stay in the luxury resorts around the jungle due to the modern frills, spa facilities, amenities, grocery and souvenir shops and activities to do in the break between morning and evening safari.

Some of the articles online say it is mandatory to stay at the Jhirna Forest Rest House which is far from truth. Tourists and wildlife enthusiasts are free to find accommodation in any Jhirna Zone Resort they please.

The Golden Tusk Resort

A few nights stay for the wildlife enthusiasts in The Golden Tusk Resort is therapeutic! The stay at The Golden Tusk has been so relaxing. This popular resort in Jhirna Jim Corbett is one of the top places to stay near Jhirna Zone.

If you need a quick getaway from New Delhi NCR, then The Golden Tusk is a good option. Just a quick 4 hours and 15 minutes train ride from Ghaziabad brought us here. Great food, nature walk, village walk, cooking classes, cycling, visiting local temple, candle light dinners have been some of the highlights of our stay here.

Resorts near Jhirna Gate, such as The Golden Tusk help tourists save time in commuting to and fro. My father had a lot of fun in The Golden Tusk.  He was popular with the hotel staff. His jokes, energy and knowledge of village life kept the staff engaged. 

From lavish buffets to Table Tennis, from relaxing leg massage to a walk in the garden under stars, from cycling to village walk and from flute show by the bonfire to relaxing by the large swimming pool, there is a lot which kept us busy in The Golden Tusk Resort. This hotel near Jhirna Gate has something for everyone!

Rooms of The Golden Tusk

I had stayed in a Villa right next to the huge reception area. Mine was villa number 201 to be precise (in case you want the same experience!). There was a Shri Krishna temple located right outside our villa. Idol of Hanuman ji was worshipped here. I appreciated that the resort management had taken efforts to build the beautiful temple within the resort premises.

The villa had a sit out area with a bench and lawn which received ample sunlight throughout the day. I was amazed with the sheer size of the room. The huge villa is divided into four parts:

There are other villas and suites which face the swimming pool and gardens too. The suites which are ideal for families and group of friends here are very spacious and have huge balconies. The suites have interconnected rooms and two bathrooms, one of which has jacuzzi bathtub.

Being one of the top hotels near Jhirna gate Corbett, I advise that you make an advance booking at The Golden Tusk and block room for yourself.

Forest Rest House

The two forest rest houses of Jhirna Zone are Jhirna (FRH) and Dhela (FRH). Some tourists also like to stay at the basic Forest Rest House FRH Jhirna. However, be warned that the facilities are very limited here. Staying in the midst of the dense forest can also be a scary experience for some. The fact that the tigers also visit the premises of Forest Rest House FRH Jhirna frequently during night may chicken out some tourists.

Dhela forest rest house

The Dhela forest rest house is located in the buffer region of Jim Corbett National Park. Established in the year 1991, the Dhela FRH is also visited by birdwatchers. Named after the Dhela village, it has large sprawling premises. 2 rooms with double bed and attached kitchen are available here.

Jhirna forest rest house or Jhirna FRH

The large compound of Jhirna FRH is accessed through the Dhela Gate as well. Expect 2 rooms with double bed, attached bathroom and even a kitchen. It is located at the same place where the village once existed. Read about it in the history section of this blog.

Located right inside the Jhirna Zone, the Jhirna Forest Rest House is also frequented by day visitors for a break or just for freshening up.

However, if you like to have a more luxurious experience, then I would advise you to stay at the Golden Tusk Resort.

What to wear in Jhirna Zone

Always wear earthy colour clothes when doing the safari in a gypsy. Bright colours alarm the animals and birds and they flee away. I and my father wore army T shirts with shades of green to keep it subtle. In winters, you must wear jackets and thermal innerwear.

Things to carry inside Jhirna Zone

Here is a complete checklist. Don’t Forget to Carry the below-mentioned items to the safari jeep.

What is not allowed inside Jhirna Zone? Pls note that in order to preserve the natural habitat of animals and birds, polythene bags, musical instruments or players, packaged chips, cigarettes and tobacco are strictly not allowed inside Jhirna Zone.

Soul Window Travel Tip

Eat well before the safari starts. The food sold in the canteen inside Jhirna Zone is limited and disappointing.

Wildlife Safari Permits in Jhirna Zone

Tiger Jeep Safari in Jhirna Zone can only be done on registered jeeps. All the tourists are required to procure a special permit even before they make an entry to the Jhirna zone. The permits are issued by the national park authority.

Here is the complete process of Tiger Jeep Safari in Jhirna Zone and availing mandatory permits.

We waited at the checkpoint in the open safari jeep as our guide arranged for the safari permit from the authorised forest officials.

Day visit entry permit for Jhirna Zone is required only for the tourists who stay within the forest rest house. Visitors must also bear in mind that the entry permit to the Jhirna Zone of Jim Corbett National Park is provisional. Under certain circumstances, the entry permit can also be cancelled or changed without any prior announcement. It is also not possible to transfer the entry permits to anyone else. Entry is granted only after the primary forest guard checks the documents and allowed entry after confirming the same.

Soul Window Travel Tips

Although I and my father had submitted the Aadhar Card as ID proof to the officials at The Golden Tusk even before arriving in Ramnagar, our IDs were also checked at the Dhela Gate Jim Corbett as we started the jungle safari. This is why always carry ID proofs such as Aadhar card, Voter ID Card, Passport etc with you when going for a Tiger safari in Jhirna Zone. Carrying ID documents and entry permits is mandatory.

How to book Tiger Safari in Jhirna Zone

How do I book Jeep safari in Jhirna Zone of Jim Corbett? Tiger Safari bookings are done in the Ramnagar Office. Without even visiting any office, our Tiger safari in Jhirna Range was pre-booked by the Golden Tusk Resort at a time convenient to us. They have one of the best Corbett Safari booking facilities. You should confirm the gate timings and duration of your safari from the Wildlife Desk of The Golden Tusk.

Even though I did the jungle safari on a weekday, I was surprised to see that all the jeeps were booked. This is why, always pre book the safari so that you are not disappointed later. Therefore, it makes sense to stay at The Golden Tusk and request them to pre-book the safari even before your arrival in Ramnagar.

The maximum number of safari jeep which can be booked in a shift are limited. Only 30 Jeeps can be booked per Shift. Since there are only 2 shifts (morning and evening) in a day, so it is always a good idea to pre-book the safari.

Who are allowed in the safari jeep? Also, please bear in mind that a maximum of only 6 adults and 2 children who are below the age of 12 years are allowed in a Jeep. The booking for day visits is also done on the official web portal.

Soul Window Travel Tips

It is a good idea to sit on the last two open seats of the gypsy or jeep. It allows you to stand and have a better and unhindered look at the wild animals and the landscape.

How do foreigners book Tiger Safari in Jhirna Zone?

How can tourist from foreign nations such as United States of America, Canada, Mexico or European nations such as United Kingdom, France, Germany, Netherlands and Italy etc book a Tiger Safari in Jhirna Zone? I noticed some foreign tourists in Jhirna Zone during my visit. They were probably from U.S.A. or Europe. I even noticed a family from the neighbouring Sri Lanka doing safari. Many non-Indian travellers visit Jhirna Zone daily.

Therefore, Jhirna Zone is not only popular with Indians alone but also with foreigners. Foreigners can book safari in Jhirna Zone 90 days in advance. It is mandatory for foreign nationals to submit Passport Id for safari.

I would suggest them to get in touch with The Golden Tusk Resort who can arrange everything easily. It is very convenient to book a safari Jeep, your permit, a guide for Jhirna Safari by just sharing the ID cards even before the arrival. That’s how we did it!

Timings of Jhirna Safari Zone

How long is Jim Corbett safari? Exploration time of Jhirna Zone is around 3 hours and 30 minutes. We went in the safari between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. The timings keep changing as per the weather conditions and season. Tiger and wildlife jeep safaris are allowed only twice a day; once in morning and then in evening. Please note that the entry to the forest area strictly prohibited after sunset.

Below are the timings of Jhirna Zone as per season:

Winter Timings in Jhirna Range

• Morning Tiger Safari in Jhirna Corbett in winter starts at 07:00 a.m. (entry) and ends at 10:00 a.m. (exit)
• Evening Tiger Safari in Jhirna Zone in winter starts at 14:00 p.m. (entry) and ends at 17:30 p.m. (exit)

Summer Timings in Jhirna Range

• Morning Tiger Safari in Jhirna Corbett National Parkin summer starts at 06:00 a.m. (entry) and ends at 09:30 a.m. (exit)
• Evening Tiger Safari in Jhirna Jim Corbettin summer starts at 15:00 p.m. (entry) and ends at 18:30 p.m. (exit)

Which safari is best in Jim Corbett morning or evening?

Though I had booked an evening safari in Jhirna Zone Corbett, I was worried that maybe I should have booked the morning safari. The common perception is that more animals are spotted during the morning safari. Since most animals and birds roam around in search of food and water in morning, the chances of their visibility are more.

But, guess what? Even during the evening safari, I had magical animal and bird sightings. I could not have asked for more. In fact, it turned out to be one of my best safaris in India. So, do not worry much if Jhirna Zone safari booking should be done in morning or evening. Any time is good for a safari.

Best Time to visit Jhirna Zone?

Conventionally, the best time to visit Jhirna Zone is from 15^th November to 15^th June. However, since it is one of those rare National Park zones which remain open even in the rainy season, many people also like to visit Jhirna Zone during monsoon. This is why hotels near Jhirna gate Corbett are open throughout the year.

Spring in Jhirna Corbett National Park

Spring months of March and April in the Jhirna Zone have very pleasant weather and moderate temperatures. This is also when many tourists flock to Jhirna Zone.

Summer in Jhirna Corbett 

Jhirna Ecotourism Zone is best visited in the hot summer months. Many people consider summer months to be the best time to visit Jhirna Zone because this is when the Tigers sit at the waterholes and are easily spotted.

Monsoon in Jhirna Corbett 

Is Jhirna Gate Jim Corbettopen in monsoon? Can I do Safari in Jhirna Zone in rainy season? These are some commonly asked questions. Not many know that the Jhirna Zone remains open for visitors throughout the year. Most of the National parks of India get closed in rainy season. However, what also makes Jhirna Zone popular is the fact that it is one of those few wildlife hot spots in India which are open even in the monsoon season.

Having said that, Jhirna Zone may remain closed on days when the region witnesses torrential rains. In case the roads get damaged and water streams get flooded, then in that case, Jhirna Zone remains closed on those days of monsoon. It is common to see the mud paths being washed away due to heavy rains. July, August and September are considered monsoon season in Jhirna Zone.

Do remember that due to the unpredictability of weather conditions in the monsoon season, it is not possible to book any kind of safari on an advance booking. This is because the safari may get cancelled due to bad weather or sudden heavy rains.

Therefore, only day permits are issued for the safaris on current basis. These permits can be availed from over the counter only. If in case the entry to Dhela Gate Jim Corbett is closed due to the heavy shower, you can still do other interesting activities here.

Autumn in Jhirna Corbett National Park

Autumn is also a pleasant time to visit Jhirna Zone. In fact, I visited Jhirna Zone on 18^th October, which is autumn season. I didn’t need to wear jacket. It was neither too cold not hot at all. Autumn is the perfect weather for Jhirna Zone. I personally feel autumn is the best season to visit Jhirna Zone. Almost all the safari jeeps were fully booked when we did safari in Jhirna Zone in October.

Winter in Jhirna safari zone

The Jhirna Zone attracts lot of wildlife enthusiasts and tourists every winter. December and January are the coldest months in Jhirna Zone of Corbett. You can confirm the Jhirna weather today with the hotels staff.

Duration of Visit in Jhirna Zone

How many days to spend in Jhirna Zone? How many days are sufficient for Jhirna Zone of Corbett National Park? It depends on your budget, interests and the time you have. Many people come here as a weekend break from Delhi NCR but being a freelancer, I chose weekdays.

What can I do in 1 day in Jhirna Zone? I think one day in Jhirna Zone is very less. At least 2-3 days must be spent around Jhirna Zone. Many people also do multiple jeep safaris, and since only two safari slots are available per day, therefore you need to stay for extra days if you want to improve your chances of spotting wild animals.

What can I do in 2 days in Jhirna Zone? We had spent 3 Nights & 4 Days in The Golden Tusk Resort near Jhirna Zone. Since, like other guests, we also had access to all in-resort recreational activities, it kept us engaged and entertained. If you love going off the beaten track, then you can spare more time here. There are several hidden gems and off the touristy trails which you must take.

Itinerary for Jhirna Zone

Here is a complete itinerary for the Jhirna jeep safari region which we followed

Day 1

• Arrive late night in the Golden Tusk
• Have dinner
• Walk in the property and relax
• Sleep

Day 2

• Enjoyed breakfast Buffet in the Golden Tusk
• Availed various facilities of resort such as spa, club, restaurant and bar.
• Village Walk in evening
• High tea in the Golden Tusk
• Dinner at the Jungle Grill restaurant of the Golden Tusk.

Day 3

• Cycling to Jai Lalita Mata Mandir and Dhela River in the morning
• Returned to property, had breakfast buffet
• Relaxed at the luxurious rooms of the Golden Tusk
• Enjoyed the lavish Kumauni Thali in the rooftop restaurant of The Golden Tusk Resort.
• Started for Safari at 2 p.m.
• Returned by 6:30 p.m.
• Slept after an early dinner.

Day 4

• Finish breakfast by 8:30 a.m.
• Leave the Golden Tusk Resort at 8:30 am and catch the 10 a.m. train to Ghaziabad. (We took one hour margin)

Local Transport for sightseeing in Jhirna Zone

I saw some shared autorickshaws playing between the area near (walking distance) Jhirna Zone and Ramnagar.

How to reach Jhirna Zone

How do I get to Jhirna zone? To explore the Jhirna Gate Corbett, we entered through the Dhela Gate, which is located very close to the Golden Tusk Resort. Jhirna and Dhela zone are located towards the west side of Ramnagar Town in the same area direction.

Road Trip

If you are driving via car from Dehradoon or New Delhi NCR, you can reach Ramnagar by evening or night and do the safari next day.

By Railway

Ramnagar Railway is the biggest nearest railway station from Jhirna zone. We boarded the AC car of the train number 15035 or Uttaranchal Sampark Kranti Express from Ghaziabad. It starts from Ghaziabad at 4:45 p.m. and reaches Ramnagar at 9 p.m. After arrival we were picked by The Golden Tusk Resort.

While returning home, we boarded the AC car of the train number 25036 or Ramnagar Delhi Link Express from the cute little Ramnagar Railway Junction. It starts from Ramnagar at 10:00 a.m. and reaches Ghaziabad at 9 p.m. We were dropped by The Golden Tusk Resort after check out.

We crossed interesting tourist places of Uttarakhand such as Gadh Mukteshwar, Kashipur, Moradabad, Amroha etc.

Classes available in both trains are 2S and CC. I was surprised that the tickets cost even lesser than a coffee in Starbucks. What’s not to love?

By Airport

Pantnagar Airport or Delhi IGI Airport are the closest airports from the Jhirna Zone.

By Bus

Thanks to its central location, Ramnagar market and bus stand is a bustling place. This is why it is very easy to find buses to and from Ramnagar. The bus stop at Ramnagar is the nearest big bus stand.

Distances from Jhirna Zone and Ramnagar to other tourist attractions

How far is Corbett from Nainital?

I am mentioning below the time taken, route and distances from Jhirna Zone and Ramnagar to other tourist attractions in Uttarakhand and adjacent Uttar Pradesh in ascending order. You can add another 30-45 minutes for The Golden Tusk Resort and Jhirna zone respectively.

Distance between Jhirna Gate Corbett and Ramnagar is 20 kilometres and it takes around 45 minutes.

Distance between The Golden Tusk Resort and Ramnagar is 16 kilometres and it takes around 30 minutes.

Distance between Kashipur and Ramnagar is 27 kilometres and it takes around 45 minutes via NH309

Distance between Haldwani and Ramnagar is 52 kilometres and it takes around 1 hour via UT SH 41

Distance between Nainital and Ramnagar is 64 kilometres and it takes around 2 hours via Nainital Road.

Distance between Bhimtal and Ramnagar is 79 kilometres and it takes around 2 hours via UT SH 41

Distance between Moradabad and Ramnagar is 84 kilometres and it takes around 2 hours via NH309 and Kashipur Road.

Distance between Sattal and Ramnagar is 90 kilometres and it takes around 2 hour and 30 minutes via Bhowali-Bhimtal-Haldwani Road.

Distance between Amroha and Ramnagar is 95 kilometres and it takes around 2 hours and 25 minutes via NH309 and Kanth – Dilari – Thakurdwara Road.

Distance between Mukteshwar and Ramnagar is 114.4 kilometres and it takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes via UT SH 41.

Distance between Bareilly and Ramnagar is 145 kilometres and it takes around 3 hours and 16 minutes via Nainital Road and Bareilly – Nainital Road.

Distance between Garhmukteshwar Uttar Pradesh and Ramnagar is 159 kilometres and it takes around 3 hours and 15 minutes via NH734 and NH9

Distance between Haridwar and Ramnagar is 179.7 kilometres and it takes around 3 hours and 40 minutes via NH734.

Distance between Rishikesh and Ramnagar is 200 kilometres and it takes around 4 hours and 10 minutes via NH734.

Distance between Dehradun and Ramnagar is 230 kilometres and it takes around 4 hours and 45 minutes via NH734.

Distance between Mussoorie and Ramnagar is 260 kilometres and it takes around 6 hours and 10 minutes via NH734.

Distance between Lucknow and Ramnagar is 398 kilometres and it takes around 8 hours via NH530

Jhirna Zone Address

Here is the complete address of the Jhirna Zone:

Jhirna Zone, near Khara Gate, Dhela Gate, near Kaniya Village, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand.

Respect The Forest of Jhirna Zone

Below are some of the responsible traveller’s code of conduct which I saw on a board within the premises of the Golden Tusk Resort:

• Do not pluck flowers or leaves.
• Do not honk or play music as it disturbs wildlife.
• Do not demand a safari in core area in Jim Corbett. It is not allowed.
• During Safari, always stick to the specified mud-paths, trails and tarred roads.
• You must maintain silence in the park to increase your chances of spotting wildlife.
• Do not carry any satellite phone or weapons in the property or even park premises.
• You must follow the authorized speed limits while driving in and around the Jhirna Zone and Corbett.
• You are in the Government declared ‘Silence Zone’. You must comply with the norms laid down by the authorities. Avoid requesting DJ nights etc.
• Do not enter the park sans valid IDs and required permits. The Wildlife Desk of The Golden Tusk Resort can help you arrange for the same.
• Irresponsible tourists who commit breach of any of the conditions of the wildlife protection shall be punishable by the law.
• Is there night safari in Jim Corbett? Well, the answer is no. Do not nag the hotel staff for a night safari or off-roading. Doing so around the Corbett Tiger Reserve prohibited, illegal and punishable by law.
• Refrain from picking, removing, collecting or destroying any living or dead animal or animal parts.
• Do not litter inside the Jhirna Zone. You must collect the entire litter and dispose it off in the dustbin of the resort you are staying in. On earlier safaris in Satpura National Park of Madhya Pradesh, I had noticed how tourists had thrown used baby diapers and chips packets inside the park premises.
• Do not get off the jeep at any point in the park while the safari is on. You can step out of the gypsy only where it is allowed such as the old Jhirna Forest Rest House and canteen.
• Do not carry or consume alcohol, meat, seafood and non-vegetarian food inside the Jhirna Zone or the park premises. If found, it is punishable under law.
• Do not smoke or light campfires in protected forest areas. There have been many instances worldwide where accidental fires have destroyed lush green jungles and its inhabitants in no time. Heard of the old adage ‘spreading like a wildlife’?

Conclusion: Is Jhirna Zone worth visiting

Is Jhirna zone good? Why visit Jhirna Zone? Here are my final thoughts! Located at the southern edge of the Corbett Reserve Park, Jhirna Zone is a must-visit place! Being rich in wildlife, the chances of spotting tigers and other wild animals such as Asian Elephants, Jackals, Wild Boars, Sambar, Cheetal and others are also high in Jhirna Zone.

The proximity to Ramnagar railway station also makes Jhirna Zone the preferred zone as a weekend getaway for people of New Delhi, NCR, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, Haldwani and Kathgodam. The fact that Jhirna Zone remains open for tourists throughout the year, also make it a much-preferred wildlife destinations in Uttarakhand in North India. In a nutshell, Jhirna Zone is located close to many important places.

To summarize, I must say that Jim Corbett National Park is not only about visiting the more popular Dhikala Zone alone rather everyone should give a try to other zones as well, especially the Jhirna zone, which is also known for amazing tiger sightings. I highly recommend a jeep safari in the Jhirna Zone.

Staying in luxurious resorts near Jhirna Gate such as The Golden Tusk is akin to cherry on the cake! This Jhirna Zone review covers all aspects possible. I am sure the Jhirna photos I shared have already convinced you. Come and discover the unexplored places away from the crowds near Jhirna Zone.

The view from my Soul Window is thrilling!

Pin this blog to save the blog and plan a trip later!

Related Blogs

Cycle Ride in Corbett

Adventure in Corbett 

Ladder Climbing in Jim Corbett 

Ziplining in Jim Corbett 

Manila of Uttarakhand 

Birdwatching in Shitlakhet 

Birdwatching in Sattal 

Shivpuri

Char Dham Yatra Guide

Living Alone in Mukteshwar 

Kafura Village

Solo travel to Almora 

Places to visit in Almora 

Sursingdhar Guide

Offbeat activities to do in Mussoorie 

Mossy falls Guide

Benog Wildlife Sanctuary Guide

Aamari Resort in Ramgarh 

Leela Orchards at Sonapani 

Weekend Destination of Kanatal 

Adventure Sports in Tehri

Aamod at Bhimtal 

Corbett Iris Spa and Resort