Sonanadi Zone & Koluchor Zone

The Quiet Forests Near The Corbett Rajae Homestay

When people search for Jim Corbett National Park, most pages scream Dhikala and Bijrani. Loud, crowded, overdone.
What they miss are the real forests — Sonanadi Zone and Koluchor Zone — calm, bird-rich, and deeply alive.
This is where The Corbett Rajae Homestay, located in Rathuwadhab village on the north side of Jim Corbett, becomes the perfect base.

Sonanadi Zone – The Original Forest Experience of Jim Corbett

The Sonanadi Zone of Jim Corbett National Park is one of the most forest-rich and least commercial safari zones. It falls under the Kalagarh Tiger Reserve landscape and is known for dense sal forests, riverine patches, and undisturbed wildlife movement.

Sonanadi Zone Entry Gate

Vatanvasa Gate
Around 45 km from Kotdwara Railway Station
Around 14 km before The Corbett Rajae Homestay

This makes The Corbett Rajae Homestay one of the best homestays near Sonanadi Zone, especially for guests who want early morning safaris without long travel stress.

Forest Type, Trees & Landscape

Sonanadi is dominated by:

Dense Sal (Shorea robusta) forests
Mixed deciduous trees like Haldu, Rohini, Jamun, Bahera
Seasonal streams flowing toward the Ramganga system

The forest here feels older and quieter than the busier zones of Corbett.

Wildlife in Sonanadi Zone

Sonanadi Zone is known for consistent sightings of:

Tiger
Leopard
Asian Elephant
Sambar Deer
Spotted Deer
Barking Deer
Wild Boar
Black Bear

Because of lower vehicle pressure, animal behavior here feels natural, not rushed.

Birdlife of Sonanadi Zone – A Hidden Birding Paradise

This zone is extremely important for bird watchers staying at The Corbett Rajae Homestay.
Commonly recorded birds in and around Sonanadi:

Crested Serpent Eagle
Changeable Hawk Eagle
Oriental Pied Hornbill
Great Barbet
Scarlet Minivet
Himalayan Bulbul
White-rumped Shama
Asian Paradise Flycatcher

During winter, the forest hosts:

Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher
Verditer Flycatcher
Ultramarine Flycatcher
Various warblers and thrushes

This makes Sonanadi Zone ideal for bird watching stays near Jim Corbett National Park.

Koluchor Zone – The Raw Forest of Lansdowne Forest Division

The Koluchor (Kolhuchor) Zone lies in the Lansdowne Forest Division, near Kotdwara. This is not a typical safari zone. This is a serious forest meant for people who understand birds, raptors, and silence.
For guests staying at The Corbett Rajae Homestay, Koluchor is an excellent day exploration forest.

Why Koluchor Is Special

Minimal tourism pressure
Old forest patches and cliffs
Strong raptor movement
Excellent forest roads for slow drives and birding

This zone is primarily visited for birds and birds only.

Birds of Koluchor Zone – Raptors & Rarities

Koluchor is known among birders for:

Red-headed Vulture
Egyptian Vulture
Himalayan Griffon
Steppe Eagle
Crested Goshawk
Shikra
Booted Eagle

Other forest birds include:

Brown-fronted Woodpecker
Grey-headed Woodpecker
Blue-bearded Bee-eater
Indian Blue Robin (winter)
Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler

If you care about birds, Koluchor is not optional.

Why Stay at The Corbett Rajae Homestay for These Zones

The Corbett Rajae Homestay is located in Rathuwadhab village, close to:

Sonanadi Zone
Kalagarh Forest
Koluchor Forest
Mandal River

This makes it one of the best homestays near Jim Corbett National Park for:

Bird watching
Nature walks
Forest exploration
Slow living experiences

What Guests Get

All rooms with attached bathrooms
Dormitory option for groups
Uttarakhand local fresh cooked food
Guided bird watching and forest walks
Easy access to Sonanadi safari gate

This is not a resort.
This is a forest home.

Final Thought

If your idea of Jim Corbett is noise, crowds, and selfies, these zones are not for you.
But if you want:

Quiet forests
Real birdlife
Slow mornings
Honest wildlife experiences

Then Sonanadi Zone and Koluchor Zone, with The Corbett Rajae Homestay as your base, is exactly where you should be.