My family on the elephant safari at Jim Corbett National Park circa 1997
This post is written for the theme “26 Places, 26 Memories” for the #AtoZChallenge.
J FOR JIM CORBETT NATIONAL PARK:
Named after the famous tiger-hunter of the early 20th century, Jim Corbett, this wildlife sanctuary is located in Uttarakhand in India. It’s home to numerous tigers, leopards, wild elephants, gorgeous birds and other wildlife. This park is popular with tourists owing to its proximity to Delhi, and the variety of lodging options.
We visited Corbett Park (as it’s better known), many times in my childhood, as it was ideal for family excursions. The trip whose memory I’m narrating today took place in the spring of 1997, when I was 9 years old.
A JOYOUS JAUNT IN JIM CORBETT NATIONAL PARK:
I’d developed a fever as soon as our holiday began, and was in low spirits for the duration of the trip. I slept a lot, and I don’t have any memories of the elephant and jeep safaris we took. I do remember, however, feeling the tinge of disappointment that comes with not seeing a wild-cat when you’ve been eagerly looking forward to it. On our last day there, after finishing the morning safari and enjoying a leisurely breakfast at the Dhikala Forest Rest House, we drove through the outskirts of the park in our own car, a Daewoo Cielo. Back then, private vehicles were allowed inside certain areas of the park premises. I was sleeping in the backseat, with my brother seated next to me, and our parents were seated in front.
Suddenly, I was jostled awake with firm hands. I sat up in a stupor, protesting loudly at being woken so rudely, when I was told to hush by my mother. With one finger on her lips, she pointed to the windshield of our car.
There, in all its magnificent glory, stood a fine specimen of the royal Bengal tiger. He stood a short distance away from our car, looking directly at us. Everything ceased to exist in that moment, except for the five creatures in the jungle and the vehicle that separated them. I don’t remember how long we stood transfixed in that position, but soon the tiger was bored and moved on. We breathed collectively after what seemed like an age, and turned to leave quietly. There are no photographs of this wild encounter, but our memories are emblazoned with this vision, in a way that no photo could do justice. The fact that the sighting happened without any guides or other people present, makes this memory even more magical.
Since then I’ve been on a few safaris and seen many beautiful creatures, but nothing quite matches up 😉
Come back tomorrow for the letter K and another story!
Wild elephants at Jim Corbett National Park circa 1997
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A for Amritsar, B for Bhopal, C for Cambodia, D for Delhi, E for England, F for France, G for Gwalior, H for Hemkund Sahib, I for Italy
Wildlife sanctuaries are fun indeed. I have never heard about this hence haven’t been. Looks like you guys had fun.
Wow. You were lucky to spot tigers. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
That must have been an experience I’m.sure.
It was a wonderful experience!
Yes! It is a another level of thrill & excitement to watch the glory of the king of the Jungle.Isn’t It?
Definitely!
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That would have been a eureka moment for you I am sure. I deeply appreciate the variety you are building in, in your travel memoirs dear, keep up the great work 😊
Thanks for reading and appreciating Roma 🙂
Till Date I have only been on Zoo Safaris. Jim Corbett is on my bucket list, but am waiting for my kids to grow up a little so that they can enjoy this beautiful place that’s house to some wonderful wild creatures.
I recently took my 3 year old on a jungle safari, and he absolutely loved it!
You saw the king of the jungle. That’s like really wow. All your travel posts are such delightful reads
Thanks for enjoying them Sonia 🙂
You are lucky to spot Tigers. During our last visit we missed the tigers very narrowly twice
Yes we were quite lucky that time, I’ve never spotted them after this incident!
It is exciting to see a tiger up close. I have sighted tigers at Ranthambhor. Visit the part in May, Jun, when it is hot and tigers come out to sit on water bodies.
Yes that’s sound advice 🙂
Now that is the perfect finishing to a trip I would say! Spotting a tiger is something else, isn’t it? And you saw it so close too! Wow post!
Thanks for appreciating M 🙂
Lucky you I would say to spot a tiger like that. Nowadays it is rare. But I have seen travel influencer bloggers who are driven up close to them. I am going to take my grandsons someday 🙂
Oh you must! It’s quite an experience!
We have been to jim corbett but couldn’t see anything more than paw marks of tiger. But otherwise our trip was super relaxing.
Your experience of tiger watching must be special.
Yes it was! Thanks for stopping by!
Have been here few years back for an official trip. One of the best trip ever, natural beauty coupled with excitement to see the wild cat, one of must visit places in India.
Yes it’s really lovely!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
You are lucky enough to see the King of the Jungle, interesting read.
Thank you for reading and appreciating !
Wow! That must have been thrilling.
Yes it was! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I enjoy visiting wild life sanctury would love to visit jim corbett in the near future and spot wild animals 😃
Thanks for stopping by!
Spotting a tiger at Jim Corbett is something…. You had been lucky… I have ringed in the new year 2019 there in Jim Corbett.. It was a lovely experience.
That must have been great!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Hi Noor! This must have been adventourous and thrilling experience.
Looking at your posts, I feel I have a huge list to cover 🙂
It really was thrilling!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
From Italy to Jim Corbett. Nice. Wonderful post. I am sure you would have enjoyed a lot.
#ContemplationOfaJoker #Jokerophilia
Yes I did..
Thanks for stopping by!
You are one lucky soul 😉.
Thank you! That make me happy 🙂
there are so many memories here! went here for college IV. We never found tiger and the jeep which didnt had any photographer found the tiger. Amazing post
Awww that’s life no?!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
. It’s a nice place to visit . Jim Corbett is on my bucket list, … Share Ur more experiences…
Thanks for stopping by Manika!
I have written 10 other posts. They are linked in this post, in case you’re interested 🙂
Looks like you guys had amazing experience, we’ve visited Jim Corbett twice , but yet we are awaiting to witness the big cats in wild
Hopefully next time 🙂
Love reading about Jim carbet though I am from kashipur near to this location but haven’t been single time and after this, I will going for sure.
Thanks for stopping by!
Whoa, that is some experience! I’ve heard of sightings where the tiger crosses your path or you see it eating or moving around but this is something truly exclusive, and scary yes? I agree no picture could ever do justice to what you must’ve felt that time.
I think we were too mesmerised to feel scared!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I want to take my kid in JIm corbett once, heard a lot about it. you have great experience with wild cat
Yes it was a lovely experience!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Thnk you for a informative post, would love to visit woods.
Thanks for stopping by!
Definitely this place is worth a visit. Infact, a perfect family holiday destination. It’s on our mind, We guys will be planning it sometime soon.
Thanks for stopping by!
I have been to Jim Corbett amd trust me its my favourite escape from delhi…I love every bit of it!
Yes it’s lovely! Thanks for stopping by!
This was such a delightful read. I felt like I was with you in the trip too lol. Loved the awesome pictures. very well-written.
Thank you for appreciating 🙂
Wow, this is really a thrilling experience.. I we use of I can witness such experience… Spotting tiger.. Oh my
Thanks for stopping by!
The strange thing is, I have never been to a zoo! And that is such a shame for me! 😅 Loved reading this… Watching a tiger in the wild is indeed a great experience!
Thanks for appreciating 🙂
I have been to Jim Corbett but unluckily could not go on the safari. The weather was really bad. Seeing your post, I think I should plan for another trip to Jim Corbett .
Oh you must!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Jim Corbett is really a beautiful place to visit. And looks like you had an amazing ecpeexperi there. And it is amazing that you got to see lion. As very few can see him.
Yes it was awesome!
Are You Serious. . Like Really,.? You witnessed a Tiger. Wow.. I still have to go there to experience that wilderness.
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Lucky you to have spotted the tiger. My trip to Sariska was in vain.
Maybe next time!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
You spotted a tiger and that’s wow! many people return disappointed without a single sight. Loved your narration here
Thank you so much for appreciating 🙂
Love the post, as it serves as a ready reference point for people who want to travel. Your pictures make me wanderlust.
Thank you for appreciating 🙂
Good that you all captured Bengal tiger in your memories. Noor, I guess tiger waited patiently for you all to click it 😉
I missed clicking it but it was a wonderful experience!
Jim Corbette was one of the first few outings we did when our daughter was a baby and has special memories. we didnt spot any tigers so yes u r lucky!!
Yes we were!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Jim Corbett was our first family trip this year. It was fabulous and little one had an amazing time there. Your post made me nostalgic, loved reading it.
Thanks for stopping by!
Such a nice read.. I always wanted to go to Jim Corbett Park… Hope we’ll be able to plan for the trip soon
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It was in my course when I was preparing for govt exam. I enjoyed reading it:)
Thank you 😊
I have been thinking of spending a special date at Jim Corbett, this park also offers great resorts and amazing luxurious amenities for tourists. Thanks for sharing about the Jim Corbett in details.
Thank you for appreciating 🙂
Lucky you! I didn’t see a single tiger / lion in Corbett and Bandhavgarh respectively
Maybe next time! 😊
My husband and I always like adventure and Jim Corbet is on our list from so long !! Will surely make it and I hope we also watch tigers.
Thanks for stopping by!
I belong to Uttrakhand! Its beautiful! Jim Corbett is our pride and is fun anyways! 😍 you were lucky to spot tigers though
Yes i was.. thanks for stopping by!
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Please check.
Thanks Samira! How sweet of you! Will check it
Like the post and congratulations for completing this A2ZChallange.
Thank you