Apr 18, 2011 09:46 AM
25949 Views
(Updated Apr 19, 2011 08:52 AM)
Just visited Corbett national park, hence writing a review for the fellow readers to know what to expect.
The park has three entry gates:- BIJRANI / JHIRNA / DURGADEVI. If you are looking for a jeep safari, you will need to obtain a permit from the office (called RECEPTION) at Ramnagar. The office opens at sharp 6 AM and all permits for afternoon are soldout by 0630 AM. Permits for the morning safari are usually booked some 15 days in advance.
BEWARE if you want to do it on your own you would need to be in que by 0400 AM. The cost of the permit is Rs 100/- per head. Even if you come early the touts and agents will keep pushing you behind (unless you are hiring one of their gypsys') as there is permit only for 30 vehicles per gate. Note, that private vehicles are not allowed inside the park. You will need to hire one of the gypsies through these agents.
The agents will quote various rates ranging from Rs 1200/- to 3500/-. The price differs as to how much of jungle you would be shown(It will not be told to you). Bargain for minimum of 100 kms of safari as for jhirna gate its 40 kms to and fro before you enter the park, and durgadevi gate is 70 kms to and fro. The safari begins at 3 PM and you have to be out of the Corbett gate by 6:30 PM. (Unless you get a permit for Bijrani gate, the safari will more or less turn out to be useless)
The best way to go about it is to go at 10 AM to the office and book the govt safari in a 18 seater canter, which takes you from Bijrani gate till Dhikala and back. This canter follows a particular path and covers most of the jungle. The cost of this safari is Rs 1125/- per head. The agents will try to talk you out of it as they do not get anything in it. But trust me this Canter safari is much better option than the regular jeep safari. (You avoid the que and you dont feel cheated and most of the jungle is covered in this safari).
If you still insist on a jeep safari, go to Sitavani forest (Not a part of corbrett, and does not require permit). The jeep will cost you only Rs 1000/- and take you toll Sitavani temple and back through the thick forest. The trip takes total of 4 hours. Here you may spaot whatever you expect in the Corbett.
Avoid another pitfall of these agents promising you a night stay within the Jungle. They will quote exorbident rates like Rs 10, 000/- per night etc). If you want to stay overnight in the Jungle, book the cottages from the office itself (Rs 1200/-) per day + Rs 100/- per head for entrance+ rs 250/- for the vehicle + the jeep. (Usually they will charge Rs 1000/- perday + tank full of petrol). Total two nights and three days including food and vehicle will cost you approx rs 10, 000/-
Armed with this information...go and enjoy the corbett. Go at your leisurely time to the reception and explore the options. Dont give in to pressure tactics of these agents. Though I was not lucky enough to spot the tiger, but did see the fresh foot prints of a tiger. I did spot a few barking deer, spotted deer, sambhar, peacocks, few exotic birds in the area. I took the jeep safari, through Jhirna gate. It takes approx 45 mis one way to reach the gate and almost 2 hrs inside the jungle. Hiring the services of guide may prove informative, entertaining and useful.
