Good Morning
Goodmorning
Good Morning
Ultramarine Flycatcher
Ultramarine Flycatcher
Ultramarine Flycatcher
Charging Tiger
Charging Tiger
Charging Tiger
Bird Feast
Bird Feast
Bird Feast
Chital Herd Grassland
Chital Herd Grassland
Chital Herd Grassland
Crimson Sunbird
Crimson Sunbird
Crimson Sunbird
Leopard relaxing
Leopard relaxing
Leopard relaxing
The Estate
The Estate
The Estate
Mother Elephant with Calf
Mother Elephant with Calf
Mother Elephant with Calf
Green Billed Malkoha
Green Billed Malkoha
Green Billed Malkoha
Golden Jackal
Golden Jackal
Golden Jackal
Grey Tree Pie in Birdhouse
Grey Tree Pie in Birdhouse
Grey Tree Pie in Birdhouse
Himalayan Black Bear
Himalayan Black Bear
Himalayan Black Bear
Hornbill
Hornbill
Hornbill
Fly
Fly
Fly
Female Chital
Female Chital
Female Chital
Python
Python
Python
Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle
The Estate
The Estate
The Estate
Langur Family at Sunset
Langur Family at Sunset
Langur Family at Sunset
Amazing Leaves
Amazing Leaves
Amazing Leaves
Mugger
Mugger
Mugger
Orange Headed Thrush
Orange Headed Thrush
Orange Headed Thrush
Swim
Swim
Swim
The Estate
The Estate
The Estate
Rosefinch
Rosefinch
Rosefinch
Royal Bengal Tiger
Royal Bengal Tiger
Royal Bengal Tiger
Tusker in Water
Tusker in Water
Tusker in Water
The Estate
The Estate
The Estate
Parrot Kissing
Parrot Kissing
Parrot Kissing

Sitabani Wildlife Reserve

---the ancient forest beckons . . .

Situated in the heart of Sitabani reserve forest, adjacent to the magnificent Jim Corbett National Park , this pristine paradise is nestled in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas.The surrounding mixed sal forest is a perfect habitat for flagship species like tigers, leopards,wild elephants and ungulates like spotted deer, barking deer, sambar and wild boar. Recent tiger census data has confirmed the presence of at least 35 royal Bengal tigers in this primitive Indian jungle.

Just a half an hour walk above the estate takes you into another magical ecosystem of Himalayan Oak and Rhododendron forests. These are home to a completely new set of alpine flora and fauna. Some noteworthy inhabitants of these cool,damp woods are the Asiatic Black Bear, the leopard,the Goral (mountain goat-antelope), the elusive Serow, the yellow throated Pine Marten etc.

Hugging the emerald slopes of the foothills and surrounded by rugged cliffs in the north east, the estate overlooks the unending green canopy of the Corbett landscape. Encompassing ecosystems like virgin Sal forest,Himalayan Oak woods, chaurs ( grasslands), khair-sissoo and riverine habitats, this property is a dream for bird watchers. From the smallest bird of prey like the Collared Falconet to other raptors like the Long Legged Buzzard, Changeable hawk eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Black Eagle, Booted Eagle, Lesser Fish Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle etc. and 17 species of owls like Brown Fish Owl, Tawny Fish Owl, Mountain Scops Owl, Asian Barred Owlet, Jungle Owlet, Dusky Eagle Owl etc. From 12 species of Cuckoos to Malkohas, from Nightjars to Barbets. From Dollarbirds to Pittas, from the magnificent Great hornbill to the tiny Warblers. From 19 kinds of Woodpeckers and 7 kinds of drongos to Piculets, Ioras, Leafbirds, Parrotbills, Orioles, Bushlarks, Spiderhunters, Flowerpeckers, Martins, Swallows,Shrikes, Starlings, Jays, Minivets, Bulbuls, Leothrix, Mesias, Yuhinas, Sibias, Flycatchers, Beeeaters, Forktails, Chats, Pipits, Buntings, Grosbeaks, Rose finches, Parakeets, Wrynecks, Babblers, Laughing Thrushes, Waterfowl and Accentors. The list is exhaustive and unending.

Apart from picturesque landscapes, bamboo grooves, orchards and water bodies , the estate boasts of Himalayan mineral water straight from the heart of the mountain. This water is naturally laced with the herbal extracts and minerals of primitive Himalayan forests and it augments appetite and vitality. Additionally we grow fertilizer free organic vegetables, herbs and delicious seasonal fruits in some parts of the estate to cater to the taste buds of our visitors( humans and wildlife alike).

The estate enjoys pleasant and equitable weather throughout the year. From windswept summers, misty monsoons to cold, crisp winters, one enjoys the stark stillness of the dark forest bathing in silver on moonlit nights. With no artificial lights around , the presence of the moon in the star studded night sky is breathtaking. The stillness of the nights is punctuated by alarm calls from various deer, occasional growls and roars from the surrounding hills and the plaintive calls of nightjars, owls, crickets, frogs and other nocturnal creatures. The days resonate with the calls of myriads of birds flitting around the emerald canopy. The afternoons have a laid back and lazy feel with the gentle valley wind and the cooing of doves putting you off to a slumber. Evenings witness a crimson sunset over the distant horizon and dusk floats in with a grey cloak studded with twinkling fireflies.

There is 24 hour electricity and Himalayan mineral water at your disposal. However we encourage saving water and using dim lights at all costs so that our neighboring wildlife is neither disturbed or deprived. Animals have the first right of way within and all around the property. A little alertness, sensitivity and respect is all that is required to keep you safe.

Our accommodation consists of stone cottages and tents. It is tastefully done with design elements borrowed from nature and old world Victorian and Kumaoni architechture. Sitabani reserve forest hides an ancient Shiva temple. This is supposed to be the mystical forest steeped in mythology in which Sita, the devoted wife of lord Ram spent the years of her banwas and reared her sons Lav and Kush. There is an ashram in this sacred jungle next to a river. This forest is located conveniently,only 10 Kms from the access town of Ramnagar . It is very famous for elephant and jeep safari and there is constant migration of wildlife in between Sitabani and the adjacent Jim Corbett National Park.

Nature walks and jungle safaris are an exciting and awe inspiring experience in this rich Indian jungle throbbing with primitive energy and dripping with the elixir of life.

Abhishek Ray(Founder) featured on TIMES NOW for Sitabani

Latest Exciting Videos from The Estate

Latest in News

sitabani@gmail.com

 

+91-885 138 2193
+91-981 049 4976

Featured Accomodation

Dak-Bangla

Dakbangla

British Styled Cottages.

 

huts

Spacious Rooms.

 

tents

Wild Surroundings.

F.R.H

Dakbangla

Tiger-leopard corridor.

 

huts

Modern Facilities.

 

tents

Birds Eye View of Corbett.

Sky Cottage

Dakbangla

360 degree forest view.

 

huts

Open terraces for birding.

 

tents

Plush rooms overlooking jungle.

Sitabani at Dusk

Dakbangla

FRH.

 

huts

Sky Cottage.

 

tents

Dak Bangla.

Hexagon

Dakbangla

Hexagon Shaped Cottages.

 

huts

Lavish Facilities.

 

tents

Wild Surroundings.

Kumaoni Stone Kothi

Dakbangla

Surrounded by nature.

 

huts

On top of a cliff.

 

tents

Wooden Interiors.

Cottage Locations

Dakbangla

The white dot is the cottage.

 

huts

Pristine Surroundings.

 

tents

Clouds descend upon the Dak Bangla.

Latest at The Reserve

Dakbangla

Discovery Channel visits.

 

huts

Sonu Nigam visits.

 

tents

University Students visit.