The Dhikala area of Corbett National Park is probably the finest unspoilt and abundant in wildlife area existing in Northern India, very rich source of wildlife, fauna and flora and that has extreme natural beauty. The vast dense grasslands called "Chaurs" like the "Savanah" in Africa exist only here. The Dhikala Forest Lodge built in the year 1936 is situated on the edge of the Ramganga Reservoir overlooking the forested hills of Kumaon & Garhwal. An overnight stay here provides the real wildlife experience with the opportunity of doing Elephant rides, Jeep Safaris and spending mid mornings on observation towers overlooking the Ramganga river and water holes. It is 50 km away from the Ramnagar Railway Station.
The location of the Dhikala Forest Lodge offsets its basic accommodation- though these facilities have been immensely improved in 2006, as it is situated deep in the heart of the forest and wildlife can be observed can from the verandah of your room. The rooms at Dhikala have been renovated and are no longer basic by Indian Jungle standards. Dhikala forest Lodge is located in the core area of Corbett national park and it is enclosed by an effective solar fence for your safety against wild animals.
The rooms are clean, with floor tilings and attached English style flushing toilets. Showers do exist and the mixers work - bucket baths are recommended, in case of malfunction. Running hot and cold water is surely available but we suggest mineral water for brushing the teeth.The lodge has electricity with supply timings and there is a back up generator and invertors. Wildlife films are shown every alternate evening in a make shift theatre and the lodge boasts of a fine wildlife library.
Dhikala Forest LodgeDhikala Forest Lodge has 25 rooms & 2 dormitory with 12 beds in each dormitory. 25 rooms are further divided into 5 categories.
All visitors to Corbett National Park have to obtain permits from the concerned authority. These can be obtained from the park administration centre located at Ramnagar. The 03 days duration permit is issued on the spot without any delay provided photocopies of the identity cards along of the applicants are made available. Foreign nationals have to produce their passport and photocopy for the same to get the permit.
Corbett Forest Lodges Permits would be issued for a maximum of three days only. Permit is not transferable and once the permit is issued it is not refundable. The park authorities shall not be responsible in any way for damages caused.
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.
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 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 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.
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 floweINR The bears have been recorded in intoxicated state when the Mahua ferments in their digestive system.
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