The Dhela Zone, sprawling over 1173 hectares, stands as the sixth ecotourism zone within the Corbett Tiger Reserve, It’s a new zone & officially designated on the CTR tourism map in 2014. This zone was delineated from the southern buffer forests of Corbett.
Dhela Forest holds a significant distinction, having witnessed seven tigers in Corbett’s seventy-five-year history. Featuring mixed forest plantation and moist deciduous areas, it shelters various wildlife species, including Sambhar Deer, known to attract tigers due to easy hunting opportunities. The Sal forest region is particularly favored by tigers for hunting prey.
Inside the Dhela Zone, a Watch Tower is strategically built to enable tourists to observe wild animals from a distance. With a Jungle Path stretching over 46 kilometers, visitors can spot diverse wildlife species. Jeep Safaris are available in both morning and evening shifts, with a limit of 15 gypsies allowed to enter the zone during each shift. Dhela is renowned for its bird-watching opportunities. Importantly, Dhela remains accessible throughout the entire year.
Entry Gate of the Zone
This ecotourism zone was inaugurated for visitors in 2014, sharing the entry gate with Jhirna Zone, known as Dhela Gate, situated 18 kilometers away from Ramnagar
Safari Timings and Prices
The safari timings can be divided into two parts, similar to other ecotourism zones, i.e., morning and evening. The timings of the safari can vary by season; the winter season has different timings than the summer season.
| Winter timings | ||
| Safari Types | Entry Time | Exit Time |
| Morning Safari | 07:00AM | 10:00AM |
| Evening Safari | 02:00PM | 05:30PM |
| Summer timings | ||
| Safari Types | Entry Time | Exit Time |
| Morning Safari | 06:00AM | 09:30AM |
| Evening Safari | 03:00PM | 06:30PM |
The individual cost of the Jeep Safari depends on the number of members desiring to go for the safari. A jeep can accommodate 6 adults and 2 children; therefore, if you are a group of 6 people, 12 people, and so on, the cost per person would range from ₹1000 to ₹1300. This is because the cost per jeep ranges from ₹6800 to ₹7800.
Quick Facts about Dhela Safari Zone:
- Safari Period: Throughout the year
- Number of Shifts: 2 shifts, morning and evening, in a day
- Maximum Number of Jeeps Allowed: 15 in a shift, 30 in a day
- Exploration Time: 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Best Time to Visit: October to June
Flora and Fauna at this Zone
The Dhela Zone is a part of Jim Corbett National Park and is home to many flora and fauna species. Some of them, which can be found in Jim Corbett National Park, are listed below.
Flora
- Sheesam
- Dhak
- Sisoo
- Khair
- Chir Pine (the only conifer)
- Banj Oak
- Kanju (Holoptelia Integrifolia)
- Jamun (Syzygium Cumini)
- Aamla (Emblica Officinalis)
- Bel
- Kusum
- Mahua
- Bakli
Fauna
- Royal Bengal Tiger
- Asian Elephant
- Spotted Deer
- Barking Deer
- Chital
- Sambar Deer
- Wild Boar
- Black-Faced Monkey
- Rheus Monkey
- Wild Pig
- Jackal
Bird Species
- Peacock
- Jungle Fowl
- White Bush Chat
- Oriental Pied
- Emerald Dove
- Red Wattle Lapwing
- Asian Paradise Flycatcher
- Crested Kingfisher
- Indian Shirks
- Indian Alpine Swift
- Woodpecker
- Laughing Thrush
- Vulture
- Parakeet
- Kalij Pheasant
- Oriole
- Common Grey Hornbill
- Duck
- Stork
- Cormorant
- Parrot
- Indian Roller
- Teal
- Seagull
Major Attractions of the Zone
Jeep Safari and the Grasslands (Chaur) are the main attractions of this zone.
Jeep Safari
Visiting the Dhela Zone is made easy with a day safari, and you can get the necessary permit on the official website. The safari happens with registered vehicles and a required guide. Just like in the other zones of Corbett Tiger Reserve, you can’t use private vehicles in Dhela Zone.
Grasslands (Chaurs):
The main attraction in this zone is the large grassland called Laldhang Chaur. It often has elephants and deer, and you can also see wild pigs and Neelgai. People who like bird-watching in grasslands find this place very interesting.
Nearby attractions:
The nearby attractions of the Dhela Entry Gate would be the same as those for Jhirna. These include Garjiya Devi Temple, Shri Hanuman Dham, Sitabani Temple, Kosi River and Dhangarhi Museum
- Garjiya Devi Temple (32 KM)
- Shri Hanuman Dham (26KM)
- Sitabani Temple (41KM)
- Kosi River (21 KM)
- Dhangarhi Museum (36KM)
How to reach Dhela Zone
Latitude – 29.4156° N, Longitude – 78.9939° E
The nearest city is Ramnagar, and it is well-connected by all types of transportation except air travel. The closest airport is Pantnagar, which is 99 km away from the entry gate of Dhela.
To enter the zone, you need to book a jeep safari. You can either book it in advance or upon reaching Ramnagar through Jai Bhumia Travels or any other agent, or directly from the safari providers.
Dhela Zone Safari : An Unexpectedly Thrilling Experience (May 2024)
In May 2024, during our trip to Jim Corbett National Park, we booked a morning safari to Dhela Zone not expecting too much, to be honest. Dhela is one of the smaller zones in the reserve, known for its open grasslands and year-round accessibility, but not particularly famous for big cat sightings. I went in with modest hopes, thinking we might just spot a few deer and birds.
The safari began with our guide pointing out various bird species vultures, peacocks, and a few others. Initially, it didn’t feel very thrilling, especially compared to the denser forest zones like Bijrani or Dhikala. The landscape was dry, the roads were too proper to feel like a jungle trail, and the overall vibe was that of a sparse woodland.
But then, everything changed in a moment.
Our guide suddenly mentioned that a tiger had just passed by, and we paused near a cluster of trees. At first, I thought he was exaggerating maybe trying to spice up the safari. But then, to our absolute amazement, we actually spotted the tiger resting quietly behind the trees. It was calm, majestic, and stayed put for a good 15 minutes, giving us ample time to soak in the moment. That stillness, that powerful presence it was magical.
Afterward, we came across a herd of 10 elephants, including young calves, trying to cross the road. Our guide explained that they were doing a mock charge to warn us to keep our distance. It was both intimidating and awe-inspiring to witness the raw behavior of wild elephants that close.
In terms of sightings, we also came across plenty of deer, monkeys, peacocks, and even a vulture soaring overhead. While Dhela doesn’t give off a classic jungle vibe due to its open terrain and fewer dense forest patches it proved that the jungle is always full of surprises.
Quick Notes on Dhela Zone:
Landscape: Dry grasslands, lots of open spaces, and smoother safari trails.
Wildlife: Only 3 known tigers in the area, but we were lucky to see one. Good for bird watching and spotting elephants.
Feel: Doesn’t feel as “wild” as zones like Dhikala or Bijrani, but offers great visibility and chances of spotting animals in open spaces.
Accessibility: One major advantage Dhela Zone is open year-round, making it a good option even when other zones are closed.
Final Verdict: While it may not appear exciting at first glance, Dhela Zone can surprise you in the best ways. Go in with an open mind and let the forest do its magic, you never know when lady luck might smile at you.
