Jim’s Jungle Retreat, Corbett Tiger Reserve

Uttarakhand, India

Wildlife

Seek the tiger, find the jungle.

Two decades ago, Jim’s Jungle Retreat was the start of an ecological restoration project. Guided by the belief that conservation starts at home, barren agricultural land was patiently replanted with native species, creating microhabitats that now nurture over 250 birds, 100 butterflies, 20 mammals, and numerous reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Restored waterbodies and layered vegetation have revived a vibrant ecosystem that mirrors the forest's richness.

Eighteen cottages are dispersed across the restored terrain. Shared spaces – dining areas, library, pool, spa and lounge – are integrated into the land, rather than imposed upon it. The retreat reflects the character of classic forest lodges while remaining grounded in restoration and conservation.

Operational Period

Open throughout the Year

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Bar

Pool

For Kids

Restaurant

Spa

Yoga

Credit Cards

What you would love

The Lodge was created to support local livelihoods, promote conservation, and help urban guests reconnect with the forest. The retreat suits travellers who seek a close engagement with the landscape rather than a conventional resort stay. It is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, birders, photographers, and those interested in ecological learning. Families with curious young travellers, slow travellers planning longer stays, and guests drawn to conservation-led hospitality will find the setting especially meaningful.

The Gallery

Your Stay at Jim’s Jungle Retreat, Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand

The Jungle Cottages are laid out with a morning room that opens onto the bedroom, creating a gradual transition between the two. Bathrooms and dressing areas are simple and contemporary. For families or small groups, the Jungle Family Cottage offers additional space without altering the retreat's quiet scale. The Jungle Lodge is set at an elevation of 15 feet. Wide verandahs make it easier to see the Shivalik hills and spot the occasional wildlife too. Natural fabrics, linen, and restrained wildlife references shape the interiors, while vintage lithographs and locally crafted details reflect the retreat’s connection to place.

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ROOMS & GUESTS

Jungle Family Cottage

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Conservatory Suite

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Jungle Cottage

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Jungle Lodge

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Machan Suite

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Perfectly RARE

Begin with a slow walk through the retreat before your first safari. The restored forest often reveals its own rhythms: bird calls at dawn, butterflies in season, and quiet movement along the riverbed. Allow time for both day and night drives; the jungle changes character after dusk.

Destination

Jim Corbett National Park, established in 1963, is India’s oldest national park, and later became the foundation of Project Tiger. Once called Hailey National Park, it was rechristened in honour of Jim Corbett, the hunter-turned-conservationist. Its rich mosaic of forest, riverine belts, grasslands, and foothill terrain sustains a wide diversity of wildlife, including tigers, elephants, otters, jackals, deer, wild boar, the native fish-eating crocodile and extensive birdlife.

Set in Dhela village on the park’s southern edge, Jim’s Jungle Retreat spans 15 rewilded acres bordering the Jhirna zone and a monsoon-fed river. What was once degraded farmland has been painstakingly transformed into a rich landscape where forest, water and wildlife have returned over time.

A guest birdwatching beneath bamboo on a forest track at Jim’s Jungle Retreat, Corbett

Design and Concept

The retreat is planned as a living forest rather than a resort. Architecture draws on the vernacular of the region and the dwellings of forest communities, using natural materials, passive climate-responsive design, and dispersed planning. Paths follow the contours of the land, moving through grassland, water bodies, and regenerating forest. Built structures remain secondary to ecological continuity, allowing seasonal change, wildlife movement, and landscape rhythm to shape the experience.

Know Your Host

Daleep Akoi’s connection with the Corbett landscape began in early childhood and deepened through years spent exploring its forests, often living for extended periods in remote forest lodges. His memories are shaped by tracking tigers on elephant back, fishing along the Ramganga reservoir, long hours on the machan, riverside picnics, and listening to rangers and forest officials speak of the jungle. These early experiences formed a lasting bond with the region. The retreat was founded by his father, Inder Pratap Akoi, who first came to the Kumaon hills in the 1950s and developed a deep commitment to conservation. Under his stewardship, the retreat took root, and today it continues to evolve under Daleep’s considered vision and sensitivity to the forest's balance.

Facilities

Shared spaces are designed to support learning, restoration, and quiet engagement with the landscape. The retreat includes an interpretation centre, library, and naturalist-led activity spaces where guests gain insight into the forest and its ecological systems. A spa and swimming pool offer time for rest between forest excursions, while walking trails within the restored grounds allow guests to observe birdlife, butterflies, and seasonal change at close quarters. Dining spaces, gathering areas, and outdoor seating are distributed across the landscape, encouraging movement through the forest rather than confining visitors to a single structure. Facilities remain low-impact and unified with the restored ecosystem, prioritising continuity with the land over built form.

Dining

The Golghar has outdoor seating under a thatched roof, and the cuisine includes Kumaoni and continental dishes. Carpet Sahib’s Café has been built in the traditional Gujjar style, using mud walls and thatched roofing. The dining experience here is arguably the finest in the region. The thoughtfully curated menu celebrates locally sourced, farm-fresh ingredients: milk and produce from nearby farmers, organic fruits and vegetables, heirloom grains and legumes from the Himalayas, and aromatic local herbs and spices. The café also doubles as a gathering space for wildlife presentations, slide shows, and film screenings.

Experiences

Evenings at the lodge have their own rhythm; beginning with a wildlife documentary and followed by dinner set in different locations. Some walks and trails introduce guests to the region’s ecology and culture, such as the Mahavan walk through the restored forest, the Termite Walk exploring ecological systems, and the Butterfly Walk, which observes seasonal diversity. Guests may also fish in the Ramganga, cycle through villages or join one of the curated trails, such as the Python and Bagh Machan, to spot some of the 600 resident and migratory bird species found in the region. Jeep safaris also allow guests to travel deep into the national park. The Young Rangers Programme introduces children to wildlife and conservation. At the same time, guided jungle walks with naturalists focus on decoding the forest’s language, from calls and tracks to hidden signs on the forest floor.

COOKING CLASS

SWIMMING

VILLAGE WALK

SAFARI

FISHING

YOGA

CYCLING

COMMUNITY

WILDLIFE INTERACTION

FARM

MUSEUM

KIDS ACTIVITY

Explore Around

Corbett National Park

Guided jeep safaris are the best way to explore the national park. It is home to the Bengal tiger, elephants, leopards, and an extraordinary diversity of birds.

Garjiya Devi Temple

Right in the middle of the Kosi River, this revered temple lies just a short drive from the retreat. A major pilgrimage destination, especially during Kartik Poornima, it offers a serene spiritual experience, set against the picturesque beauty of its riverfront surroundings.

Sitabani Wildlife Reserve

Rich in biodiversity and steeped in legend, this buffer zone of Corbett National Park is the ideal spot for birdwatching and experiencing untouched wilderness.