True forest experience. The cottages are thatched and the décor is a blend of the Raj and an English country home, with a dash of jungle camp ruggedness. Tall trees surround the property. Jungle smells and jungle sounds lull you into peace - an alarm call, a bird song or the busy buzzing of honey bees. As evening falls the air fills with a green tang, the birds fly home filling the air with their raucous cries. The sky looks redder, the trees taller and the world more divine.

Relax in the swimming pool while surrounded by lush jungles, get a stimulating Ayurvedic massage and when well rested, head for the forest for a safari.

Committed to responsible tourism, with active involvement of the local community, Jim’s Jungle Retreat aims to minimise disturbance to its natural surroundings.

USP: A walk on the wild side.

Jim’s Jungle Retreat is situated along the south-east border of Corbett Tiger Reserve. It is about 2 km from the Jhirna forest gate. The Dhangari gate, which leads to the Ramganga reservoir, is a half an hour’s drive to the north.

Air: Nearest air port is Pantnagar (80 km) but it is rarely used and flights schedules are not very reliable.

Rail: Nearest railhead is Ramnagar (11 km), connected to major destinations such as Delhi (250 km) and Haridwar, although there is only one train from Delhi and it stops at innumerable stops on the way. A more convenient option would be to take a train to Muradabad, and change for Ramnagar. Or you could take the daily overnight Ranikhet Express that connects Delhi with Kathgodam and then take a taxi or a bus to reach Ramnagar, about an hour and half away.

Road: There are daily buses from Delhi, Haridwar and Nainital to Ramnagar. If driving from Delhi, keep in mind that the drive takes 6 – 8 hours. The route is via Noida, Hapur, Muradabad, Kashipur and on to Ramnagar. Take the NH 24 to Moradabad via Hapur and Simbhaoli. Once you cross Moradabad, take a left turn onto NH 74 to Ramnagar via Thakurdwara and Kashipur. As you enter Ramnagar town there is a sharp turn left to Jim’s Jungle retreat that lies 11 km ahead.

The 10-acre retreat is encircled by a seasonal riverbed and reserve forest and is barely two kilometres from the Jhirna forest. Raj-era styled thatched cottages and wrap-around verandahs provide the perfect jungle camp ambience, embellished by the retreat’s landscaped vistas, water bodies and wide open spaces. Native fruiting trees and shrubs have been planted to encourage nesting by transitory and domestic bird species that are often followed by their predators.

Each of the 12 cottages offers large private verandahs, situated in a manner as to provide the guest with complete privacy, as well as views of the forest on one side and the Shivalik mountain range on the other.

The dining area looks over to the forest and serves delicious Anglo-Indian cuisine. On some evenings barbeques are hosted in a true shikar-camp style complete with a bonfire, where Kumaoni folk dances are also organised. As the evening progresses, impromptu folklore and discussions on field-based wildlife experiences break out.

A team of qualified naturalists answer all your questions. Slide shows and wild life films are projected in the thatched sitting room. Wildlife presentations are made by the chief naturalist Imran Khan who also amuses you by his ability to accurately mimic animal and bird sounds. Also on offer are night stays at a forest rest house inside the park, guided bird watching tours in the Almora region or the Tumaria wetlands (13 km from the retreat). Safaris, guided by a team of qualified naturalists, include elephant and jeep rides through the jungles.