Garjia Zone Safari

Garjia landscape and safari route

The zone covers forested hills and valleys on the eastern side of the Kosi, with sal on the slopes, mixed forest in the valleys and dry stream beds that animals use as trails. The terrain is gently hilly, giving you some elevated views over the forest.

Because it is a younger safari zone, the route is shorter and simpler than the big core circuits. That suits families and first-time visitors who want a relaxed drive without a long transfer.

The gate is roughly 12–14 km from Ramnagar, on the road past Garjia Devi temple.

Garjia Devi temple on the way

The Garjia Devi temple stands on a large rock in the middle of the Kosi river and is one of the most visited shrines in the Ramnagar area. It draws big crowds on Kartik Purnima, usually in November, when a fair is held. If you are on an afternoon safari, you can visit the temple in the morning and then head to the gate; on festival days, allow extra time for traffic.

Wildlife you can see in Garjia

Garjia has seen regular tiger movement since it opened, and leopards are seen relatively often compared with some core zones, as they favour the rocky, hilly terrain.

You will usually see chital, sambar, barking deer, wild boar and langurs. Elephants pass through seasonally. The mix of forest and river edge also makes it a decent zone for birds such as hornbills, woodpeckers and kingfishers.

As with any zone, sightings vary from day to day; a quiet, patient drive gives you the best chance.

When to go and which shift to book

Garjia usually runs safaris from about 15 October to 30 June and closes during the monsoon.

• October–February: green forest and comfortable weather; good for a relaxed family drive.
• March–June: better visibility and higher chances of big cats near water.

The morning shift is the most active for predators. The afternoon shift works well if you want to visit Garjia Devi temple in the morning.

Permits, gate and how to get there

You enter through Garjia gate, about 12–14 km from Ramnagar. As a buffer zone of the Ramnagar Forest Division, Garjia has its own permit process, separate from the Corbett Tiger Reserve core-zone bookings, and only a limited number of jeeps are allowed per shift.

Booking rules for buffer zones can change more often than for core zones, so confirm the current process before you travel. Our permit booking rules page explains how core-zone permits work (usually 45 days ahead for Indian visitors and 90 days for foreign nationals), and the safari price guide shows typical jeep costs.

Where to stay near Garjia

There are no forest rest houses for tourists in Garjia. The upside is that the Garjia and Dhikuli belt along the Kosi has many of the area’s best riverside resorts, some within a couple of kilometres of the gate.

Browse our resorts and stays near the gates.