If you really want to enjoy your night stay in Jim Corbett National Park, then you cannot avoid or ignore staying in the Dhikala Forest Lodge. It is located close to Dhangadi Gate from where the forest lodge in Dhikala is just a drive of 1 and a quarter hours. As the name itself says, the Dhikala Forest Lodge is taken care of by the Forest Department and that’s why you would need to approach the department for the booking at least one and a half months before your proposed date of visiting there. This is a rule that the forest department maintains stringently for everyone. The place is much in demand by visitors from various states in India and also from the SAARC countries. However, visitors from other foreign countries can get the booking 90 days before their actual date of visiting there.
Indeed, the forest department officials understand what the visitors may expect from them while they stay there. Due to this, the department provides all the necessary facilities that are necessary to make the stay of the visitors easy. Right from warm and cozy beds to a supply of wonderful cuisines, the visitors can get almost everything as per their needs and demands. As a matter of fact, the visitors can book the whole package tour at a very competitive cost. You can even ask for the tour itinerary before you actually proceed to book the trip. While booking the trip package, you can always expect the most amazing value for money for yourself.
In this age of the Internet, you can avail the facilities that it brings to you. You can reach the official website of the forest lodge in Dhikala and do the needful to book the package after checking everything in detail. You can crosscheck things immediately by calling the help desk of the service providers who are always available to do everything so that you get the right package to bring a completeness to your upcoming trip to Jim Corbett National Park! So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with the Forest Lodge in Dhikala online!
Different kinds of accommodations are available at Dhikala. Along with the Forest Rest House, Cabins, Hutment, Annexe Dhikala also has 24 bunk beds in Log Huts. The rooms are comfortable with basis amenities.
A very good restaurant caters to the need of visitors staying in the Dhikala Tourist Complex. The restaurant serves buffet meals with good choice of quality foods. A small Canteen is also available for the visitors.
Visitors can enjoy wildlife movie show in the evening and also spend their leisure time reading books in the well stocked library.
Dhikala renowned for its panoramic landscape is located at the edge of the Patli Dun valley, along the Ramganga with the Kanda ridge as a backdrop. The heritage building of the old FRH built in 1890's.Though it was one of the first accommodationfacility to be constructed inside the park, staff did not live here during the monsoons till 1963 since it was highly infested with malaria. The ground floor was used as the DFO office and the top floor for accommodation of the forest officers. It has the unique distinction of being the venue for the launch of the "Project Tiger". Subsequently after 1975, Dhikala was formally opened and accommodation increased due to sudden boost in tourism. Apart from the old FRH building several other kinds of accommodation have also been added. The complex is a complete entity in itself with restaurants, nature guides, jeep safaris, a well stocked library, movie shows in the evening and walking tracks. A post office is available to share experience from the park with letters. Watchtowers located nearby provide excellent view of the entire Ramganga riverbed and the magnificent chaurs.
Dhikala renowned for its panoramic landscape is located at the edge of the Patli Dun valley, along the Ramganga with the Kanda ridge as a backdrop. The heritage building of the old FRH built in 1890's.Though it was one of the first accommodationfacility to be constructed inside the park, staff did not live here during the monsoons till 1963 since it was highly infested with malaria. The ground floor was used as the DFO office and the top floor for accommodation of the forest officers. It has the unique distinction of being the venue for the launch of the "Project Tiger". Subsequently after 1975, Dhikala was formally opened and accommodation increased due to sudden boost in tourism. Apart from the old FRH building several other kinds of accommodation have also been added. The complex is a complete entity in itself with restaurants, nature guides, jeep safaris, a well stocked library, movie shows in the evening and walking tracks. A post office is available to share experience from the park with letters. Watchtowers located nearby provide excellent view of the entire Ramganga riverbed and the magnificent chaurs.
One of the most beautiful Forest Rest House of Corbett overlooking the Ramganga is located at Sarpaduli,30 kms from Ramnagar. It was built in 1908. Elephant movement is fairly common in the area and visitors can even spot Otters in the river nearby. Ghoral can be sighted on the slopes across the Ramganga. Large pools of Mahseer and fish eating birds like kingfisher, fish eagle, etc may be seen in this area.
Sultan, the first FRH on the Dhangari-Dhikala road, has the advantage of privacy and solitude. The adjoining Sal forest patch is one of the densest in the CTR and support large number of Deers and Birds. The FRH was built in 1903 and is an ideal place for small group of visitors.
Canter Safari is one of the most popular ways to explore the Dhikala Zone, especially for visitors staying outside the region. The 16-seater open-air canter runs from Ramnagar to Dhikala and offers a thrilling wildlife experience. Advance booking through the official website is required. This shared safari option is ideal for spotting tigers, elephants, deer, and a wide variety of birds.
Dhikala is well-known for its vast and scenic grasslands, home to herds of elephants, spotted deer, hog deer, and wild boars. The open landscape increases the chances of spotting a tiger roaming or chasing prey. The grasslands are a photographer’s paradise and a must-visit for wildlife lovers.
The iconic Watch Tower in Dhikala offers one of the best panoramic views of the Ramganga riverbed and surrounding chaurs. It provides an excellent vantage point to observe grazing wildlife, especially deer, elephants, and occasionally tigers. Located just 10 minutes from the Dhikala Forest Rest House, it also overlooks a nearby waterhole, making it a prime spot for sightings.
Crocodile Point near Gairal is a natural balcony-like viewpoint that overlooks a pool inhabited almost throughout the year by crocodiles. This peaceful location is perfect for observing these reptiles in their natural habitat.
The Sambar Trail stretches from the Dhikala Watch Tower to the Khinanauli Rest House and is known for some of the highest tiger sightings in the region. Positioned between hills and the riverbed, it serves as a natural corridor for wildlife heading toward water sources. Visitors often spot elephants, sambar deer, barking deer, and even serpent eagles nesting in the tall trees. Evening drives here require caution as elephants frequently use this path.
This trail is also incredibly rewarding for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts due to its rich biodiversity.
Dhikala is one of the best regions in the world for spotting Bengal tigers and wild elephants. Several species of deer such as spotted deer, sambar, hog deer, and barking deer are commonly seen. Bird lovers can enjoy observing numerous resident and migratory species supported by the forests and the Ramganga reservoir.
Sloth bears are also commonly found here, especially attracted to termites and the sweet Mahua flowers, which sometimes ferment and leave them mildly intoxicated—an interesting natural phenomenon.
The Dhikala Safari zone of Corbett Tiger Reserve remains open for tourists from 15th November to 15th June.
Corbett Tiger Reserve remains closed during the monsoons as many streams cross the road leading to Dhikala zone and it gets impossible to cross the streams due to high water levels and pressures. Dhikala Ecotourism Zones remains closed for night halts and Day Visit from 16th June to 14th November.
One can reach Dhikala via Dhangarhi gate which is 18 kms from Ramnagar. Please view the route map.
One can enter Dhikala range via Dhangarhi Gate and the entry timing to Dhikala range from this gate is 10:00 AM till 4:00 PM. Corbett Tiger Reserve remains closed during the monsoons. All ecotourism zones of Corbett Tiger Reserve are closed to visitors for night halts from 15th June to 14th November. The Bijrani Zone remains closed for day visits from 30th June to 14th October. The Dhikala, Lohachaur and Sonanadi Tourism Zones are closed for day visits also from 16th June to 14th November. From 1st to 15th June, these ecotourism zones remains on standby mode and advance reservations are not done as during this time these zones can be shut down by Director, Corbett Tiger Reserve at short notice on considerations of visitor safety due to bad weather conditions.