Dhikala Forest Rest House

Dhikala Forest Rest House is an absolute paradise located in the heart of Corbett national park.  Residing on the bank of Ramganga reservoir, it happens to be an absolute favorite for any wildlife lover. The forest department of Corbett National Park manages the Dhikala Forest Rest House. It provides the largest facility to the Jim Corbett National Park visitors to stay inside the forest.

The picturesque location and beautiful surroundings further make it an ideal place to stay away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The only rest house within the Corbett Tiger Reserve that provided electricity within the rooms is the Dhikala Forest Rest House. This is the reason why it happens to be an absolute favorite for visitors.

How to reach Dhikala FRH?

Not just that, the availability of rich conveyance options makes Dhikala Forest Rest House an absolute favorite among tourists. The nearest airport to Dhikala is located at Pantnagar which is 75 km from the rest house. The nearest major railway station is located in Ramnagar which is around 1.2 km from the rest house. Also, regular buses function between all the major cities and Ramnagar. To reach Dhikala Forest Rest House, one has to enter the Corbett National Park via Dhangarhi gate.

Named after the huge grassland known as the Dhikala chaur, it is a major attraction of the Dhikala zone. The journey from Dhangarhi to Dhikala Forest Rest House is adventurous and provides many opportunities for wildlife viewing.

How to book Forest Rest House?

Dhikala zone is open for tourists from the 15th of November to the 15th of June every year. The area is not safe for touring due to heavy monsoons. The Dhikala zone is a restricted area so you need a permit to enter here. Staying at locations like Dhikala Forest Guest House is no short of a memorable experience. However, everything needs to be planned well in advance from accommodation to jeep safari to a guide.

The bookings at the Dhikala forest rest house are mainly in the offline modes. You can book 17 rooms via the official website of Jim Corbett. The remaining 8 rooms are allotted offline at the booking office in Ramnagar. Then 17 rooms further are divided within Indian and foreign quotas with 12 and 5 rooms respectively.

To stay at night in the Dhikala Forest Guest House, the Indian and SAARC visitors have certain conditions. Indians can book accommodation in Dhikala Forest Lodge 46 days in advance. Foreigners can book the accommodation 91 days in advance. As stated earlier, the mode of booking can be online and offline.

Amenities

The Dhikala Forest Guest House is a heritage building that is very well equipped with all the necessary amenities of top-notch quality. The complex has restaurants, nature guides, jeep safaris, a well-stocked library, movie shows in the evening, and walking tracks. A post office is also available to share experiences from the park with letters. Watchtowers located nearby provide an excellent view of the entire Ramganga riverbed and the magnificent flora and fauna.

Room Types

The Dhikala Forest Guest House is akin to a heritage building built in the 1890s. The “Project Tiger” was announced at the Dhikala Forest Guest House. Post 1975, Dhikala was formally opened and due to a boost in tourism accommodation also increased here. The needs of the visitors were kept in mind while designing the rooms of the Dhikala Forest Guest House. The following are the room types available at Dhikala. The entry gate for all the room types is the Dhangari gate which is 40 km from Ramnagar.

Hutment

The hutment room types have the option of a double bed. The total number of rooms in the hutment category is 6.

Cabin (Double bed)

The Cabin (Double bed) room types have the option of a double bed. The total number of rooms in the cabin (Double bed) category is 3.

New FRH (Double bed)

The New FRH-double bedroom types have the option of a double bed. The total number of rooms in the New FRH-double bed category is 4.

Old FRH (Double Bed)

The Old FRH-Double Bed bedroom types have the option of a double bed. The total number of rooms in the Old FRH-Double Bed category is 5.

Annexi Room (Double Bed)

The Annexi Room (Double Bed) bedroom types have the option of a double bed. The total number of rooms in the Annexi Room (Double Bed) category is 7.

Dhikala Dormitory (Log Hut)

The Dhikala Dormitory (Log Hut) bedroom types have the option of a double bed. The total number of beds in the Dhikala Dormitory (Log Hut) category is 24.

Food at Dhikala Forest Rest House

There are two eateries that are available within the premises of Dhikala Forest Guest House. You will be offered buffet meals while at the premises. The quality of food provided is also exemplary. One of the canteens is run by the KMVN. It is the tourist department of Uttarakhand where good food is available at affordable prices. The other one is a privately run restaurant with an a la carte menu. There is also a general store where you can get normal daily uses things. However, the food options are only vegetarian. There are restrictions on alcohol and non-vegetarian food items.

Activities at Dhikala Forest Guest House

For any wildlife lover, a stay at the Dhikala Forest Guest House is an absolute paradise. Post your morning tea or coffee, you get to head for the Jungle Safari. This 3-hour ride will give you an insight into the flora and fauna of the Dhikala Range.  This range is widely known for its fascinating wildlife. Other than the mystique beauty of this range will also leave you spellbound.