Jhirna Forest Lodge

Overview

Jhirna is located on the southern periphery of Corbett Tiger Reserve. The animal population also comprises sloth bear and wild elephants which provide great sights for the wild life enthusiasts. Jhirna zone is open throughout the year. The Jhirna jeep safari zone is one of the most eye-catching spots inside the Corbett Tiger Reserve.
Jhirna Zone is one of the popular zones among the six ecotourism zones in the Corbett National Park. The Corbett National Park is divided into the six tourism zone among which Jhirna zone is added much later in 1994. In order to extend the Tiger reserve zone, the farming lands of the Jhirna village and other two villages were included in the reserve territory and the villages were relocated at some other place nearby. And then, the land was redeveloped and turned into an exotic lush forest. Due to being operational throughout the year for the wildlife safari in contrary of other zones which are closed during the monsoon season (except the Dhela zone), the Jhirna zone witnesses much footfalls all-round the year.
Situated at the southern edge of the Corbett Reserve Park, the Jhirna tourism zone offers some exclusive tiger and sloth bear sighting along with the spectacular view of the landscape which is pretty rich in wildlife. The topography of the Jhirna zone primarily is a dry deciduous type and consists of a large Grassland (Chaur) known as the Laldhang Chaur. This big Chaur is the favorite place for the herbivores of the zone like deer, chitals, nilgai and elephants. Numerous water streams in this zone nourish the wildlife of this zone and adding the natural ambiance of the zone. Also, the zone is considered an excellent spot for bird watching.
In order to get inside the Jhirna zone, you need to obtain the safari permit from the forest officials and also have to hire a safari vehicle and a naturist/guide. The entrance gate of the Jhirna zone is Dhela Gate, which is around 15 km from the Ramnagar, the nearest town which is also the railway station and bus stand from the zone. The safari for Jhirna zone is organized throughout the year and two shifts in a day with the maximum of 30 Jeeps in a shift. A maximum of 6 adults and 2 children (below 12 years of age) are allowed in a Jeep. You can book your permit, a safari Jeep, a guide for Jhirna Safari along with the accommodation near the zone from our website.

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.
The Jhirna zone offers night stay for the wildlife enthusiasts in its forest rest house located inside the zone. The Jhirna FRH has a large compound where day safari visitors too can stay for a while and get refreshed before.
Jhirna is also well known forest house lies just inside the southern boundary of the park. If we move from Ramnagar to Kalagarh road that runs in east-west direction of the park, Jhirna lies on that particular road. If we talk about the landscape it is drier as compare to Dhikala and vegetation is mostly scrub. The area in and around Jhirna was a farming village till 1994 when it was successfully relocated under project tiger. This important zone of the Corbett is a good habitat for tiger, elephant, deer and mother interesting mammals like sloth bear and wild boar. Visitors can enjoy bird watching as many species of residents and migrated bird can be seen.

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.

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.

Flora & Founa

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.