Dhikala is one of the most popular sought after tourist accommodation in Corbett Tiger Reserve. Herd of elephants and spotted Deer pack the vast expanse of famous Dhikala Chaur. This is probably the best place in the Tiger Reserve to spot very rare Hog Deer.Perfect example of the unscathed natural beauty, the Dhikala ecotourism zone has the most picturesque landscape in the Corbett National Park. Immensely rich in the wildlife variety, it is the most sought after tourism zone in India. Dhikala zone is the largest among the five zones of the Corbett tiger reserve with having the most beautiful landscape which consists of dense Sal forest, large grassland, narrow valley and various channels of the Ramganga river. The Ramganga River is considered as the lifeline of the Corbett forest which enriches the rustic beauty of the wild and nourishes the flora and fauna of the Corbett.
Dhikala is the most well known of the destinations in Corbett. It is located at the edge of the broad Patli Dun valley through which the Ramganga flows in numerous channels. Dhikala offers an awesome uninterrupted panoramic view of the valley, with the Kanda ridge in the backdrop. This sight appears all the more imposing from the watchtower near Dhikala. The Tourist Complex overlooks Dhikala chaur (one of the largest remaining grasslands of the Park) and Phulai chaur. A drive through the numerous trails through chaurs is rewarded with sightings of wild elephants, chital, hog deer and numerous grassland bird species and raptors. The old rest house at Dhikala is a historic structure, having been built over a hundred years ago.
Staying at Dhikala is an experience every wildlife enthusiast looks forward to. Dhangari gate is entrance for Dhikala zone. Dhangari gate is located 18 kms away from Ramnagar while Dhikala Tourist Complex is located 31 Kms inside the Dhangari Gate. Dhikala is open for tourists from 15th November to 15th June. But remains inaccessible during Monsoon season. Dhikala tourist complex overlooks Ramganga Reservoir and is a perfect place to observe Crocodiles and Gharials basking in the banks of Ramganga.

Attractions in Dhikala Zone

Canter safari is conducted by the Corbett forest officials in the Dhikala zone to provide an opportunity to explore the rich wildlife of this zone. The Canter safari is the only option for the wildlife lovers who stay out of the Dhikala tourism zone and want to visit the area because the Day Jeep safari is not conducted for this zone. The Canter is a 16-seater open bus and a seat on the Canter can be booked from online or from the Corbett National Park office in Ramnagar. The starting point of the Canter safari is Ramnagar Corbett office so the tourists can board the Canter here for the safari if they have pre-booked permit. During the day safari, the Canter makes a stop at the Dhikala forest rest house for a while and tourists can get down from the Canter, get refreshed, take a walk around the compound and can also enjoy the beauty of the overlooking Ramganga river as well as the chance sighting of various wild animals on the riverbed.

Forest Rest House

The night stay in the forest house in the Dhikala zone is like a dream adventure for any wildlife lovers. There are 4 forest rest houses situated in this zone, which are Dhikala FRH, Gairal FRH, Sarpduli FRH and Sultan FRH. Among all the four rest houses, the Dhikala FRH is the most sought after rest house due to its strategic location and enhanced facilities. Dhikala forest rest house is the biggest rest house with having around 28 double-bed rooms and a dormitory of 12 beds in various accommodation wings. Dhikala FRH is the only forest rest house in the Corbett NP which has the facility of 24-hour electricity in the rooms.

Visit here for the detailed information about Dhikala Rest House

Jeep Safari

Unlike the other zones of the Corbett National Park, the Dhikala zone doesn't offer the Jeep safari facility for the day visitors. Only the tourists who have the booking in the forest houses located in the zone can enjoy the Jeep safari in Dhikala. After getting the permit for the night stay in any FRH in the zone, you have to hire a Jeep with a driver and a naturist in order to get inside the park and visit your booked forest house. Once inside the park, you are free to explore the jungle and its flora and fauna by the Jeep for the whole day within the prescribed time.

Elephant Safari

Elephant safari in the dense forest is the best way to explore the rich flora and fauna of the park as well as it is the most thrilling safari experience as tourists can get the sight of animals at very close range in comparison to the Jeep and Canter safari. The Dhikala zone also offers elephant safari but it can be enjoyed only by the tourists staying in the Dhikala forest house. There are limited numbers of the elephant used for safari and it is a first-come-first-served service so the phrase "an early bird can get the worm" is true here. You have to pay for the elephant safari on the spot at the elephant camp as there is no advance booking for this. The elephant safari is not organized on Monday, so if you like to enjoy the elephant safari then organize your night stay at Dhikala accordingly.

Forest Watchtower

The watchtower is the unique feature of the Dhikala zone, which offers you an amazing opportunity to view the wildlife. The watchtower is situated at the strategic location overlooking the large Chaur and the entire Ramganga River, thus from the tower you will have an excellent sighting of the animals grazing in the grass field or roaming at the bank of the River Ramganga. The watchtower is located nearby the Dhikala rest house and can easily be reached there while staying at the rest house.

Gairal Crocodile Point

Located near the Gairal Rest house, the crocodile point is a terrace-like spot built over a pool having a large number of crocodiles as the permanent habitat. You can watch the crocodiles and their activity by standing on the terrace and looking down in the pool. This is an amazing feeling to watch such a dangerous creature of water at so close.

Grass Lands (Chaurs)

The large grassland, which is known as Chaurs, is the prime location in the Dhikala to spot wild animals from tigers to elephants, various species of deer, wild pigs and many others. Dhikala zone is much famous for its vast Chaurs and the tiger sighting in the area is frequently reported by the tourists.
The large grassland, which is known as Chaurs, is the prime location in the Dhikala to spot wild animals from tigers to elephants, various species of deer, wild pigs and many others. Dhikala zone is much famous for its vast Chaurs and the tiger sighting in the area is frequently reported by the tourists.