Dhikala Night Stay — Inside Jim Corbett
Spending a night inside the Dhikala zone is one of the most special experiences Corbett offers. You fall asleep to the sounds of the wild and wake up deep inside tiger country.
Jim Corbett is among the few parks in India that allow visitors to stay within the forest itself, at simple Forest Department rest houses surrounded by grassland, river and jungle. Guests staying inside Dhikala are also allowed jeep safaris within the zone — something day visitors can't do.
Forest rest houses are owned and allotted by the Forest Department through corbettonline.uk.gov.in. We assist with planning & booking; we cannot guarantee availability of any specific rest house or date.
Why stay overnight in Dhikala
- Jeep safaris inside Dhikala are available to overnight guests.
- More time in the core zone — early mornings and late evenings, the best wildlife hours.
- A rare experience — very few parks in India permit a stay inside the forest.
- Stunning setting — grasslands, the Ramganga reservoir, and unforgettable quiet.
Where you stay
Inside the Dhikala zone there are a handful of forest rest houses, with Dhikala FRH being the largest and most sought-after. Other rest houses include Gairal, Sarpduli, Sultan and Khinnanauli. Accommodation is basic but comfortable, with double rooms and dormitory beds depending on the rest house.
What to expect (and what to carry)
iPlan for
- Basic amenities; limited/solar electricity at some rest houses
- Mobile signal only at certain spots
- Vegetarian canteen meals at Dhikala & Gairal
- Fenced, monitored stay areas
!What to pack
- Warm layers (nights get cold)
- Torch & power bank
- Basic medicines & ID
- Patience — it's nature, not luxury
Booking essentials
- Season: Dhikala is generally open mid-November to mid-June.
- Advance booking: Indian nationals ~45 days ahead; foreign nationals up to 90 days.
- Limited nights: The Forest Department caps nights inside the zone.
- ID: Every guest carries the same valid ID used at booking.