In the north Himalayan-state of Uttarakhand, the ancient land of gods and goddesses, the once-favoured hunting ground of Indian nobility and English gentry, lies Jim’s Jungle Retreat, bordering the spectacular 1,300 sq km Corbett Tiger Reserve.

This tiger and elephant sanctuary today protects astoundingly varied animal and bird life following a government plan established in 1936.

The park is named after the legendary hunter-naturalist Col. Jim Corbett, in honour of his services to conservation; in turn, we honour him at JJR, evoking a time when the legend roamed these forests on foot, camera in one hand, a rifle slung over his shoulder.

A refreshing and instinct-sharpening experience awaits you in this ‘land of roar and trumpet song,’ nestled between the great Himalayas in the north and the ancient Shivalik hills in the south - a vibrant topography of reservoirs, rivers, grasslands, mountains and stately ‘Sal’ forests.

The large-hearted tiger, familial elephant herd, transitory and domestic birds, rare reptiles and strikingly varied prey species call this forest home.

Naturalist and decades-old benefactor of the park, Inder Akoi, brings you his vision of a jungle safari camp on the southeast border of CTR. Operations began in 2006 with a team of qualified wildlife professionals with vast experience in biodiversity conservation and eco-tourism.

Our senior naturalist and executive director, the very personable Imran Khan, commands an outstanding team of local staff who manage the retreat with a keen attention to detail, well-crafted safaris and bird watching tours.

The 10-acre retreat is encircled by a seasonal riverbed and reserve forest and is barely two km from CTR’s open-around-the-year Jhirna forest. Raj-era styled thatched cottages and wrap-around verandahs provide the perfect jungle camp ambience, embellished by the retreat’s landscaped vistas, water bodies and wide open spaces. Native fruiting trees and shrubs have been planted to encourage nesting by transitory and domestic bird species that are often followed by their predators.

Location Jim’s Jungle Retreat is situated along the south-east border of Corbett Tiger Reserve. It is roughly two km from Jhirna forest gate. The Dhangari gate, which leads to the Ramganga reservoir, is a half hour drive north.

It takes around five hours to drive to JJR from New Delhi. Take the NH 24 to Moradabad via Hapur and Simbhaoli. Once you cross Moradabad, take a left turn onto NH 74 to Ramnagar via Thakurdwara and Kashipur. As you enter Ramnagar town there is a sharp turn left to Jim’s Jungle retreat that lies 11 km ahead.

The nearest railhead is Ramnagar (11km). The nearest International airport is New Delhi, 300 km away. The nearest domestic airport is Pantnagar (80km), where except Sundays, a daily Jagson Airlines flight operates from New Delhi.

The Angler’s Shack, our tented fishing camp on the Ramganga bank, is located around 38km from Ramnagar, about an hour’s drive from Jim’s Jungle Retreat.

Service

Committed to responsible tourism, with active involvement of the local community, JJR aims to minimize disturbance to its natural surroundings.

Our specially designed itineraries offer the thrill of wildlife tracking in comfort: Night stays at a forest rest house inside the park, guided bird watching tours in the Almora region or the Tumaria wetlands (just 13km from the retreat), our tented fishing camp in Marchula to experience the area’s aquatic life.

Safaris, guided by a team of our qualified naturalists, include elephant and jeep rides through the jungles the legendary Corbett roamed. Our nature walks, horseback and mountain-bike safaris will transport you to another world, will bring alive your instincts and leave you in awe of the ways of the jungle.

A team of qualified naturalists have been selected carefully and are eager to answer your questions. A presentation by our chief naturalist Imran Khan, whose unmatched wealth of knowledge of the area, of animal behaviour and tracking techniques, are bound to keep you enthralled, as will his ability to accurately mimic animal and bird sounds.

We are proud of our long associations with park officials and ‘wild lifers’. Spend time with visiting conservationists and biologists involved with saving our treasured resources.

Accommodation

Our 12 thatched cottages stand offset in a row of six on either side of an island of native flowering trees and nesting shrubs, planted specially to attract transitory and domestic bird life.

The cottages are situated in a manner as to provide the guest with complete privacy; we aim to bring the surrounding environment to you. Large wrap-around verandahs offer views of the forest on one side and the Shivalik mountain range on the other.

Built with local materials, the cottages have spacious bedrooms, high ceilings and well-appointed bathrooms. Family cottages with an additional room for children are also available. Fine linen and upholstery detailing provide understated luxury, while the décor is a blend of the Raj and an English country home, with a dash of jungle camp ruggedness.

Room View