Dhikala forest lodge is 30 kms from Dhangadi gate, and it will take around 01 Hr to 01 Hr 15 Mins to cover this distance. This journey from Dhangadi gate to Dhikala itself is full of adventures, you have to cross dense sal forest and Ramganga River with several seasonal rivers, the animals you are most likely to spot while going to Dhikala are herds of spotted deer, Barking deer, Sambhar, Barasinga, Elephants, and Hyena, Fox, Monitor Lizard and even Tigers also. Strategically located in the core of the dense forest of famous Corbett National Park, Dhikala forest lodge is one of the unique forest accommodations in the world. Surrounded heavily by wild ambiance, staying at Dhikala guest houses is a once in a lifetime kind of experience almost mystical. This simple yet amazing forest house is run and administered by the forest department of Corbett National Park. Highly popular among wild life enthusiasts and lovers of raw nature, Dhikala is situated within the periphery of Patli Dun Valley and offers the breathtaking view of this enchanting valley along with Kanda ridge. Various streams of Ramganga River are flowing through this area enhancing the rustic view of the forest. Dhikala guest house is around 32 kms from the Dhangadi gate which can only be travelled by the vehicles of forest department. Covering this distance is an adventure in itself as one can have to cross through the rich flora and fauna of this area which includes vast grass land, dense Sal jungle, various small river channels and different types of animals roaming on the grass land.
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. 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.
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.
Dhikala forest lodge has 32 rooms in its 06 wings and can be classified as follows :
1. New Forest Rest House : No of Rooms – 04
2. Old Forest Rest House: No of rooms -05
3. Dhikala Annexe: No of Rooms 07
4. Hutment: No of rooms 06
5. Cabins: No of Rooms 06
6. All Range quarters: No of Rooms 04
All though the accommodation is not the luxury one but all the 32 rooms at Dhikala forest lodge has attached bathrooms and running hot water (solar).
Dhikala forest lodge also has 02 dormitories, each dormitory has 12 beds. Both the dormitories have common bathrooms.
Dhikala forest Lodge is located in the core area of Corbett national park, it is enclosed by the effective solar fence to keep wild animals away.
One can enter Dhikala range via Dhangarhi Gate and the entry timing to Dhikala range from this gate is 10:00 AM till 4:00 PM.
Corbett Tiger Reserve remains closed during the monsoons. All ecotourism zones of Corbett Tiger Reserve are closed to visitors for night halts from 15th June to 14th November. The Bijrani Zone remains closed for day visits from 30th June to 14th October. The Dhikala, Lohachaur and Sonanadi Tourism Zones are closed for day visits also from 16th June to 14th November. From 1st to 15th June, these ecotourism zones remains on standby mode and advance reservations are not done as during this time these zones can be shut down by Director, Corbett Tiger Reserve at short notice on considerations of visitor safety due to bad weather conditions.
Bookings of Dhikala rooms are mainly divided into offline and online rooms. 17 Online rooms are booked online through official website of corbett national park and 8 offline rooms are alloted by booking office available at Ramnagar. 17 online rooms are further divided in Indian and foreign quota with 12 and 5 rooms respectivly.
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.
PHOTO ID Proofs: ADHAR CARD or DRIVING LICENCE or PASSPORT or PAN CARD or STUDENT ID or VOTER ID : that are Accepted - we require the number only - Scan copy is not required.
The First Traveller listed on the Booking form has to carry the same ID Proof as submitted for Booking Jeep Safari to visiting Corbett National Park.
All other Travellers also have to carry an ID Proof.
Charges are NON-REFUNDABLE.
