When to Visit Jim Corbett
Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand remains open all year for thrilling safari rides. This is a good spot for a vacation for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and those who like photography. However, this park offers unique sightings and experiences in different seasons. Some people can go there for bird sightings, some like animal sightings, and some visit the park for a peaceful time. The best time to visit Jim Corbett depends on what experience you want. Here’s a detailed guide on the weather, wildlife sightings, and overall experience you can expect in each season inside the wild Jim Corbett National Park
Winter Season (November to February)
Weather Conditions: Winter is the most pleasant time to visit Jim Corbett. The temperature during these months ranges from 5°C to 25°C, because of which the area remains cool. This time offers tourists the opportunity to enjoy comfortable safaris and explore the park without any difficulties or sweating in the heat. Also, the park looks beautiful during winter, and you can see greenery all around with a beautiful sky. The winter season might be the best time to visit Jim Coorbett for those who like a refreshing atmosphere and wanna see birds. This season allows people to stay in cozy resorts, enjoy bonfire nights, and explore the park without any discomfort.
Wildlife Sightings: Animals remain active during the morning in winter, and you can easily spot them when they come out to bask in the sun. The real highlight of a safari in winter is bird watching. People can spot a lot of resident as well as migratory birds in winter, and it looks amazing. You should come with a pair of binoculars if you’re coming to park in winter. You can easily spot species like the crested serpent eagle, hornbills, woodpeckers, kingfishers, and several migratory water birds. You can click some amazing pictures and see the animals in open spaces.
Summer Season (March to June)
Weather Conditions: Summer in Jim Corbett is hot and dry, and the temperature remains harsh during this time. It ranges from 35°C to 42°C. The afternoons can be harsh and uncomfortable for tourists who dislike the hot weather. People can enjoy morning and evening gypsy safari in summer, the morning ones are a bit cooler. If you’re going inside the park during this season, then it’s important to carry water bottles, light cotton clothes, sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen to stay comfortable during your thrilling safari ride.
Wildlife Sightings: If you’re visiting Jim Corbett with the main goal of spotting tigers and other big animals, summer is the best season for you. During the hot months, animals are more active around water sources such as rivers, ponds, and man-made waterholes. This increases your chances of spotting tigers, elephants, deer, wild boars, and other wildlife. The bird activity remains less during this time, but you can still see them if you go for morning safaris or near the water bodies.
Monsoon Season (July to October)
Weather conditions: The monsoon season transforms Jim Corbett into a beautiful spot. The rains allow leaves to get enough water, and the whole area becomes green. You can see many flowing rivers, grasslands, and scenic beauty all around. The weather remains nice, and because of that, all the pictures look amazing. The temperature remains moderate, and the atmosphere becomes fresh and romantic. This time also offers budget-friendly stays even in good resorts and hotels. This season might be the best time to visit Jim Corbett for those who want to see the beauty of the area. However, during this time, most zones of the park remain closed for safety reasons.
Wildlife Sightings: During the monsoon season, people can enjoy a safari inside some zones like Jhirna, Sitabani, or Phato. It depends on the forest department, which zone remains open. Because of the heavy rains, the safari paths become slippery, and because of that, the zones remain closed. Tiger sightings are rare during the monsoon, but you might spot leopards as they are more active in this season. The park reopens for safaris from 15th October, so you can visit the more famous zones from 15th October to 30th June.
Our Recommendation
- For Bird Lovers: Visit between November and February.
- For Wildlife Enthusiasts: Visit between March and June.
- For Romantic Time & Scenic Photography: Visit during the monsoon, keeping in mind that safaris are limited to certain zones.
If you want to enjoy it all, then visiting the park during February or March is best. During these months, the weather remains nice with little winter chill, and migratory birds also remain in the area. Also, you can spot animals because they start to come out from the deeper areas of the park.