Gairal Forest Lodge offers the tourists one of the best places to enjoy wildlife and get through the natural climes of Jim Corbett National Park. Gairal Forest Lodge is located around 20kms from Dhangari, and is quite close to the banks of Ramganga river. Tourists will have to pass through the Corbett Museum and Sultan Lodge to reach the place. Gairal Forest Lodge is surrounded by beautiful natural creations which amaze the tourists visiting here. The shallow mountain streams and rivulets passing through the dense forests enrich the wildlife scenery as well as the fauna of Jim Corbett National Park.
The Gairal Rest House is the best forest house after the Dhikala rest house in the Dhikala zone. This place is a precious gem situated cozily in the lap of nature away from the crowd and chaos of the city. It is located around the 13 km from Dhangarhi, the entry gate of Dhikala zone and around 40 km from the Ramnagar city. The FRH compound is safeguarded by the solar electric wire to ward away wild animals to enter the premises. As the Gairal FRH is located deep in the forest so an amazing tranquility envelopes the whole surroundings, making it an enchanting place to calm your mind from all the chaotic thoughts and invigorate it while staying here.
Situated on the Ramganga river bank, the FRH offers you an astounding view of the river bank along with a chance to sight many animals and witness their activities near the river bed. More often than not, the king of the forest, the tiger gets sighted near the river bank who visits either for drinking water or in search of its prey. The herds of elephants can also be seen around the river drinking water or bathing and playing in the water. This place is also a paradise for bird lovers as one can get amazing birding opportunity nearby the forest home.
Accommodation
The accommodation at the Gairal FRH is nice and comfortable in comparison to the few other forest houses in Corbett. Being a forest rest house, it offers only the limited amenities in its rooms but rooms and attached bathrooms are clean and everything inside it is in good working conditions. All the rooms have the large double-bed along with the same furnishing in every room so it really doesn't matter which room you will be allotted. The accommodation in Gairal is divided into the three sections which are-
Old Forest Rest House - consists of 02 rooms
New Forest Rest House - consists of 04 rooms
Dormitory - consists of 08 beds
Dining Facility
At Gairal rest house, the canteen run by GMVN offers you a nice dining facility with the limited menu for food. Don't expect a grandeur multi-cuisine dining here, but the foods offered are simple, homely with good taste. Apart from the meal, guests can buy snacks and mineral waters from the canteen. The non-vegetarian foods and wine are not allowed in the forest house.
How and When to Visit Gairal FRH
The forest rest house remains open for the tourists from 15th November to 15th June every year. Apart from the above duration, the FRH is closed for any tourist activity due to the bad weather. For making a night stay at the Gairal FRH, you need to make an online booking in advance. The online advance booking option for the forest houses is available a maximum of 45 days in advance (for the Indian citizen) and a maximum of 90 days in advance (for foreign nationals). In order to reach the Gairal, you have to enter by the Dhangarhi gate which is located around 18 km from the Ramnagar. You have to hire the authorized safari jeep to enter the park.
Best Time to Visit
Gairal Rest House remains open from November 15 to June 15.
How to Book
Gairal forest lodge bookings for Corbett Park can be done 45 days prior to your boarding date. Non-Indian travellers can book rooms 90 days in advance. Passport Id is mandatory for foreigners.