Jhirna Forest Lodge

Description

Jhirna Zone - located on the southern periphery of Corbett Tiger Reserve - 30 Jeeps are permitted every morning & evening and can be booked well in advance - the area consisted of many villages and was prime farming area - but being in close proximity to Corbett the crops were destroyed by wild animals - this made it one of the high man animal conflict zone for years. The Park authorities then managed to relocate these villages with its farming population to another area and the Jhirna zone was added to the Corbett Tiger Reserve. This particular area was transformed into grassland habitat which is excellent for bird watching but this also provides rich grazing for herbivores and wild Elephants. One can see abundant cheetal, sambhar and wild boar which makes this place attractive for Tiger sightings - there is also a good chance to see sloth bear and wild elephants which provide great sightings for the wild life enthusiasts.
Jhirna Tourism Zone is open throughout the year.

Accommodation

There is only one forest lodge in Jhirna zone with 4 rooms which are available for tourists to stay at night. But one can book a maximum of 2 rooms at a time for a maximum of 3 nights at a stretch. All the rooms have a double bed in it with having the attached bathroom. However, rooms are spacious and bathrooms are clean, but you will get the very little facility in the room. So, if you are looking for the luxurious holiday then it is not for you. This forest guest house is an ideal accommodation for true wildlife enthusiasts who can stay in the jungle with a minimum of facilities. There is no electricity here except solar electricity for the limited use.

Dining Facility

Being located in the core of the Jungle, the dining facility in Jhirna FRH is limited. It means there is a kitchen in the guest house with the cook but visitors have to bring the raw materials with them in order to get the cooked food. The cook of the forest lodge will cook the raw items provided by you and serve you the hot meal. You can only bring the raw vegetarian items to be cooked and wine is prohibited inside the forest lodge.

Activities

You can use the safari which you have booked at the entrance of the zone to reach at the FRH in order to explore the deep insides of the forest in the daytime. You can indulge in bird watching here as there are a large variety of birds found in this zone. The guest house has a large, clean open area as its compound where you can roam and relax quietly.

How and When to Visit

Though a day visit to Jhirna Zone is open throughout the year, depending on the weather conditions, but the night stay at forest rest house is allowed only from the 15th Nov to 15th June of every year. In the remaining days of the year, the night stay remains closed for the tourists.
The entry gate of this zone is Dhela Gate, which is around 20 km from Ramnagar, the nearest town of Corbett Park. You have to show the entry permit at the gate in order to get inside the park. So, if you want to stay at the Jhirna FRH, you need to book the room at the FRH, hire a jeep safari and a guide which is mandatory to enter in the park.

Attractions

Jungle Safari

Can be done using the registered jeeps. Taking registered nature guides is mandatory on all wild excursions.

Chaurs (Grass Lands)

Around Jhirna we have a large chaurs (Grass land) known as the Laldhang Chaur. This is the favored area by the wild herbivores like elephants and deer.

FLora & Fauna

The terrain consists of large open grasslands, popularly known as Chaur. Its topography is mainly dry deciduous type with secondary forest. There are numerous natural streams inside the area. The stream beds are warm and accessible for exploring. There are cliff edges along with the streams, which can prove to be a good spot for bird watching.
One of the best places to spot tigers in their natural habitat, this is a must visit zone for the wildlife enthusiasts.

Visitor Season

Winter Safaris Timings-

Summer Safaris Timings-