Jim Corbett National Park is amongst the most well-known wildlife centers in India. Several visitors enter the park expecting to get a glimpse of the Bengal tiger living in the wild. The park has dense forests and wildlife with immense biodiversity and habitat for a vast number of species, including various animals besides the tiger, but these tigers attract the maximum numbers. If you are going on a Jim Corbett Safari and would like to know how likely you are to spot a tiger, then in this guide, we will provide you with this information in the best way possible.
What Makes Jim Corbett Special?
Jim Corbett National Park was established in 1936 and was earlier known as Hailey National Park. It was later renamed after British hunter Jim Corbett, who later contributed to saving animals. He played a key role in saving tigers and their habitats. This national park was the first one in India and contributed significantly towards safeguarding tigers. Project Tiger began here in 1973 to protect Bengal tigers from poaching and habitat loss. The park covers an area of 1,318 square kilometers (approx.) and contains numerous varieties of land, such as forests, grasslands, rivers, and swamps. These varied areas support numerous animals to live and eat. Due to this, this park contains many tigers and provides tourists with an opportunity to observe animals in their natural habitat.
The Experience Of Seeing A Tiger
The Bengal tiger is a powerful and tough creature. It is among the most respected animals in the world. Tigers are fascinating to humans because they are silent, hard to spot, and have orange-colored fur with black stripes. Their ability to hunt also indicates that they are smart. Most tourists visiting Jim Corbett National Park wish to spot a tiger on their Jim Corbett safari. Some spot one immediately, while others need to search numerous sites.
Tiger sighting is thrilling. The safari gypsy travels slowly, and the guide searches for indications such as tiger tracks, alarm calls from deer or monkeys, and scratch marks on trees. These indications suggest a tiger can be around. When tourists spot these indications, they remain still, hoping to catch a glimpse of a tiger walking, sleeping, or stalking. To see a tiger in the wild is a rare and unique experience.
Best Time To Visit For Tiger Sightings
Jim Corbett National Park is open from mid-November to June. March to May is the best time to spot a tiger since water sources dry up and tigers come out frequently to drink, making them easier to spot. The weather is pleasant from November to February, but thick plants make spotting tigers difficult. The majority of the park remains shut from June to September as it rains a lot and roads become dangerous. Tigers are active during the early morning and evening because they don’t like the heat. Morning Jim Corbett safari, beginning at sunrise, provides the most opportunities for seeing a tiger before it retreats to the jungle. Evening safaris later in the evening also present an opportunity, but tigers are more difficult to spot towards the peak heat of the day.
Visitor Experiences
There have been a lot of people who have come to Jim Corbett National Park and seen tigers. Some get lucky and catch a glimpse of a tiger within a matter of minutes of their safari, while others have to go to multiple places before seeing one. There was a group of tourists who took several safaris and did not see a tiger. On their last safari, they did see a tigress enjoying herself with her cubs by a waterhole.
This experience teaches that tourists must be patient when attempting to view a tiger. Because tigers are wild creatures, they do not always show up at the same location or time. Some tourists might spot them immediately, but others might have to wait longer. Going on multiple Jim Corbett safaris raises the odds of viewing a tiger. Each safari is unique, and it is part of the excitement of not knowing when a tiger will show up.
How To Improve Your Chances Of Spotting A Tiger
It is best to go on a guided safari to view a tiger because guides specialize in tiger tracking and know where the tigers will be. Guides can understand animal behavior and follow new tracks. Binoculars to observe the animals from afar, wearing neutral clothes to camouflage in the environment, and a camera with a telephoto lens for capturing good photos are things the visitors should come with. They should also pack water and food because safaris take a long. Patience and silence also contribute to spotting a tiger. Guests are required to follow safari etiquette, including being attentive to the guide, being quiet, not approaching the tiger too closely, not feeding wildlife, and not treating the jungle as their own home.
Conservation Efforts
Jim Corbett National Park is significant in conserving tigers. Poaching and habitat loss are major dangers to tigers, but here, the laws are strong, and anti-poaching campaigns protect them. The tourists can contribute to tiger conservation as well. They must use responsible safari operators who abide by regulations and maintain respect for wildlife. Littering and harassing the animals should be avoided. Tourists can also contribute to conservation by donating to agencies that work to conserve tigers or raise awareness of the necessity to conserve them. Every little bit counts in keeping tigers safe for the future.
Other Animals In Jim Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett National Park is inhabited by many animals other than tigers. Leopards are shy and generally reside in dense forests. Elephants are found in large herds along rivers. Sloth bears are active at night and possess long claws. Gharials and crocodiles inhabit the Ramganga River. The park also has around 580 bird species (approx.), such as hornbills, eagles, and kingfishers. Elephants are able to communicate here through sounds that humans can’t hear. Some of the last few gharials in the world, an endangered species, exist in this park.