Dhikala Zone Being the biggest and most shifted zone in Corbett, Dhikala is popular for its bounteous characteristic excellence and also offering the best sight for intriguing fauna. Entry Gate is 18 km far from Ramnagar city. Night remain inside the Dhikala Tourism Zone is profoundly suggested for the bad-to-the-bone natural life aficionados.
With the end goal to advance the travel industry in the area Corbett National Park has been partitioned into Six distinct zones. These are the checked cradle or center territory of the recreation center where guests can be a piece of natural life safari and can appreciate the captivating conduct of the Animals with uncovered eyes at nearness.
Dhikala FRH
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.
Gairal FRH
The old Gairal Forest complex was built in 1903. The New FRH there has four rooms and eight bed Dormitory, is situated next to the Ramganga River where it enters the National park. The FRH enjoys a tranquil environment of great beauty and is excellent for bird watching. The crocodile pool, nearby offers the opportunity to see the ghadial in the water or basking on the adjoining rocks.
Sarpduli FRH
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.
Canter Safari
Canter Safari in Corbett is the best option for those who reside outside the Dhikala Zone and wish to sight the wildlife of the area. Canter is a 16 seater open air bus that drives from Ramnagar to Dhikala and then back to Ramnagar. For canter safari also one needs to make prior booking using the official website.
Chaurs (Grass Lands)
Dhikala is famous for the vast grassland that is packed with Elephants, Spotted Deers, Wild pigs, Hog Deersetc. Often visitors can spot a wild Tiger crossing the grassland or chasing a deer.
Watch Tower
Watch tower situated at Dhikala is perfectly located and enables you to get an excellent view of wildlife which are come for grazing into the nearby chaurs, It also gives you an excellent view of entire ramganga riverbed as well as a large section of Dhikala chaur.
This watch tower is located at a 10 mins walk from Dhikala forest rest louse. There is a man made waterhole around fifty yards to the south of the watchtower which makes it the perfect place to spot Deers, elephants, wild pigs and occasionally a Tiger.
Crocodile Point at Gairal
Crocodile pool is located on the short cut from Gairal to the other rest houses west of it. It is also a balcony-like natural structure, which looks down upon a pool almost permanently inhabited by crocodiles.
Sambar Trail
This jungle track extends from the base of the Dhikala watchtower till the Khinanauli rest house. This area probably has the maximum sighting of tigers in the area.This is due to its ideal location between the hills on one side and the riverbed on the other. Most of the animals cross over in this area while moving down for water. Elephants are also frequent visitors to this track and it is important to be able to reverse your vehicle as easily as you drive it forward, if you plan to drive down this way just before sunset in the summer months. A couple of Serpant Eagles also had their nest high up in a tree beside this track. If patience is one of your virtues, it can almost be guaranteed that this track will not send you back disappointed.
One can spot several types of Deers when in the zone this includes Spotted Deer and others like Para (Axis pornicus), The Sambar (Cervus unicolor), Kakkar (Muntiacus muntjak) which is also called the barking deer due to the hoarse sound it makes resembling the bark of a Dog.
It is one of the best places on earth to spot a tiger and wild elephants.
This area is also bird watchers dream destination. The surrounding forests and the large water body supports a wide diversity of birds in the area.
The chances of spotting a sloth bear are very high in this section of forest. They are attracted by both termites and the sweet nectar of Mahua flowers. The bears have been recorded in intoxicated state when the Mahua ferments in their digestive system.
