Vanghat is situated in a range of hills that are a transition zone between the plains to the south and the mountains to the northeast, meaning that in this melting pot of habitats we see almost all of these species, either as residents or migrants. The rich river habitat attracts Pallas’s, Lesser and Grey-headed Fish Eagle, numerous kingfisher and the Brown Fish Owl, which at dusk is more often heard than seen. The emblematic Great Hornbills journey daily up and down the valley, their vast wings audible in flight, and sometimes have been spotted feeding on the Ficus trees on the riverside opposite camp. Brown Dipper, Wallcreeper and several species of forktail (the Spotted and Little Forktail being the most common), Plumbeous and White-capped Water Redstart and several wagtail species are amongst the altitude migrant visitors to the area.
In the afternoon, take another Safari in a different zone in the park. Corbett Tiger Reserve boasts a wide array of fauna such as three species of otter and many other fascinating mammals, all kinds of deer and other ungulates such asserow and nilgai, King cobras, giant river turtles and the enormous fish-eating gharial crocodiles, not forgetting one of the highest tiger densities on the planet. The reserve’s 1288 square kilometers adjoin with neighboring reserve forests and wildlife sanctuaries forming the perhaps the largest and most crucial band of forest and wild habitat of the great Himalayan foothills. Dominated by the tall hardwood Sal tree with a great diversity of other semi tropical floral compositions these forests offer perhaps the most crucial and viable chance for the long-term survival of the Bengal Tiger. Corbett’s vast open grasslands surrounded by towering wooded hills and bisected by the meandering Ramganga River are also the perfect backdrop to observe and photograph herds of wild Asian elephants.
Accommodations: Jim’s Jungle Retreat