Jim Corbett National Park  ·  Uttarakhand

ambua

Your Perch in Corbett

Scroll
3 Acres of Farm
One Group at a Time
14 km FROM DHANGARHI GATE
Bougainvillea at Ambua
Ambua stairs at sunrise
Oat grass on the farm
Dusk at Ambua

We take one group
at a time. Always.

Ambua is a three-acre farm on the fringe of Jim Corbett National Park — mango, jackfruit, and gooseberry, and the forest pressing in from all sides. When you stay here, the whole farm is yours. Not a room in a property. The whole thing.

Three bedrooms, each with views of the Kosi river valley or the sal forest beyond. Suneel's cooking. Morning mist over the mountains. The occasional sound of something large moving in the trees.

See the Rooms

Three things that matter

01

The Whole Farm

Three acres of mango, jackfruit, and gooseberry trees. The farm isn't a backdrop — it's the point. You have all of it to yourselves. Ambua doesn't ask you to do anything. The effort required is walking to the lawn and sitting down. Walk it at dawn, sit under the mangoes, watch the birds come and go.

02

The Forest at Your Door

14 km from Jim Corbett National Park, on the Kumeria Reserve Forest fringe. Deer in the fields at dusk. Treepies at breakfast. Occasionally, the sound of something larger in the night. We'll help you arrange every safari.

03

Suneel's Kitchen

Our caretaker Suneel has been cooking at Ambua since the beginning. Meals from the farm and the market, made fresh, eaten together. No menus. No strangers at the next table. Just good food and good company.

The farm blooms in every season. Something is always flowering.

Four rooms.
Each one different.

The Valley Room
Room One

Kosi

Named after the river and its valley, is the most dramatic room at Ambua. Floor-to-ceiling windows open onto a wraparound verandah with the Kosi river valley stretching below. Wake up to the mist rolling over the sal forest. Watch it from bed. The morning here is the whole point.

King Bed Valley Views Wraparound Verandah Ensuite Ceiling Fan
The Forest Suite
Room Two

Paarwali

Named after the once star tigress in Dhikala zone. Blue linens, warm wood, wildlife photography on the walls. A reading nook with a deep window seat overlooking the Himalayan foothills. The bookshelf is curated with care — Jim Corbett's omnibus is always there. The room for readers and early risers.

King Bed Hill Views Reading Nook Curated Library Ensuite
The Eclectic Room
Room Three

Machli

Named for the most photographed tigress in the world. Tintin cushions on rattan chairs. Wildlife art on the walls — bold, colourful, and entirely itself. A reading nook, a sit-out facing the valley, and a personality all its own. For guests who appreciate a space that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Double Bed Rattan Sitting Area Valley Views Wildlife Art Ensuite
The Living Room
Room Four

Pawan Kali

Named after an ebullient elephant in Kumeria whom we had the privilege to know. A self-contained space with its own sitting room, a sofa-cum-bed, a kitchenette, and an ensuite bathroom. Framed wildlife paintings, blue armchairs, and a warmth that makes it feel like the most lived-in room in the house. Ideal as additional space for a larger group, or for anyone who wants a little more room to spread out.

Sofa-cum-bed Sitting Area Kitchenette Ensuite Air Conditioning Reading Nook
The Kosi river valley from Ambua
Book the Whole Farm

What you might see

See it for yourself

Moments from the farm, the forest, and the road between.

The Farm

Life on the farm fringe

The Forest

Fawn and mother

The Farm

Langurs in the mango grove

The View

The Kosi valley at dawn

The Farm

Rhesus macaque at play

The Forest Edge

Indian hare

The Farm

Morning on the verandah

The Forest Edge

Wild boar at dusk

The Forest

The forest at the edge of everything

Kosi River Valley panorama from Ambua

The Kosi river valley.
From your verandah.

On clear mornings, the mist hangs over the sal forest below and the Kosi river glints in the early light. Corbett Tiger Reserve begins just beyond the treeline. This view is why Ambua exists where it does.

Ambua from the road

Ambua  ·  Seen from the road

Karthik at Ambua Pooja and Karthik at Ambua Evening at Ambua The Kosi river

They stopped for the views.
Stayed for the trees.

Pooja and Karthik have been travelling India's national parks together since 2011 — Corbett, Kaziranga, Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Ranthambore, Panna, and more. Over the years, the question shifted from where should we go next to what if we stayed.

Ambua is that answer. Pooja runs India Wildlife News — she is its editor, its voice, and the reason it matters. Before that, she spent years at the intersection of civil society and policy: representing Indian civil society at the United Nations, working on the Sustainable Development Goals, and building programmes around education. She brings that same rigour and care to everything at Ambua. Karthik manages the farm and the logistics — and is usually the person arranging your safaris.

The farm is named after the mango trees that cover it. In April and May, the smell of the orchard drifts through every room.

Welcome to Ambua

Suneel

Suneel has been the caretaker at Ambua from the beginning. He knows every corner of the farm, every tree, every bird that nests in the mango grove.

He cooks all the meals — local Kumaoni food, fresh from the market, made without fuss and eaten properly. Guests consistently mention him by name in their reviews. Not because he's performing hospitality, but because he's genuinely good at it.

He's also an excellent guide for anyone who wants to walk the farm, understand the trees, or simply sit somewhere quiet with someone who knows the land.

In their own words

"The feeling of being in the middle of nature, yet having all comforts, is unique to Ambua. Sunil is an excellent host and cook."
— Amrita B.
"A beautiful view of the valley. Sunil shines as cook, guide, and storyteller. The place for anyone who wants to truly relax and reconnect with nature."
— Valay S.
"Pooja and Karthik are wonderful hosts — warm, welcoming, and with impeccable taste. The rooms are spotless and beautifully appointed."
— Saket S.

Everything you need to know
before your first visit

What is the best time to visit?
November to June is the main season. February to May is peak tiger-sighting season — vegetation thins, wildlife concentrates around water, sightings are far more frequent. October and November are beautiful: post-monsoon greens and very few tourists.
What should I bring on safari?
Neutral colours — khaki, olive, grey. Layers for cold mornings. Binoculars are essential and transform the experience entirely. A camera if you want to photograph. And patience: the forest rewards stillness more than anything else.
Flame lily at Ambua
Rare Sighting

The Flame Lily

Gloriosa superba — the flame lily — grows wild around the farm fringe during the monsoon months. It doesn't bloom everywhere; finding one is always a small event. Protected under Indian law, it's one of many reasons the land around Corbett deserves more than a passing look.

Which zone should I book?
Corbett has five zones: Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Durga Devi, and Sitabani. Bijrani and Jhirna are most accessible for day safaris with consistently good sighting records. Dhikala requires an overnight stay but is the most immersive. We advise on zone selection based on the season.
How do I book safari permits?
Permits are booked through the Uttarakhand Forest Department portal. They open 45 days in advance and sell out fast. We strongly recommend booking early. If you're staying at Ambua, we'll help you navigate the permit system.
What are my chances of seeing a tiger?
Corbett has over 260 tigers — one of the highest densities in India. Tiger sightings are never guaranteed; this is a wild forest. In peak season with well-chosen zones, your chances on a multi-day visit are reasonable. We've had extraordinary safaris from here. And some beautifully quiet ones.
Is Corbett good for more than tigers?
Very much so. Over 600 bird species. Asian elephants commonly seen. Leopards present throughout. Gharials and mugger crocodiles along the Ramganga. In Dhikala's grasslands: hog deer, barasingha, wild boar. The forest itself is extraordinary regardless of what you see.
How far is Ambua from the park gates?
300 metres from Jim Corbett National Park, on the edge of the Kumeria Reserve Forest that adjoins the Tiger Reserve. Dhangarhi gate is a short walk away; Bijrani zone is about 20 minutes by road; Dhikala entry point about 25 minutes. We handle all logistics for getting you to your safari on time.
Getting here
Ramnagar is the nearest town, about 20 minutes away. Delhi is a 5–6 hour drive; we can arrange transfers. The nearest railway station is Ramnagar. We'll send full directions on booking.

Ready to come?
Let's talk.

Ambua books up fast, especially October through June. Monsoon season (June–September) offers a different magic — the forest is lush, the reserve is quieter, and the farm is at its most alive. Write to us directly — we'll sort the rooms, the safaris, and everything in between.

Write to Us Directly

Email us with your dates and group size. We'll confirm availability, discuss what you're after, and take it from there. Payment by bank transfer or UPI.

stay@ambua.in

Book on Airbnb

Prefer booking through a platform? We're listed on Airbnb with full reviews, photos, and real-time availability. Instant confirmation.

View on Airbnb →

Couple (2 guests) ₹9,000/night  ·  Small group (up to 5) ₹12,000/night  ·  Full farm (up to 8) ₹15,000/night
Rates include breakfast. Minimum stay 2 nights. Safari costs separate. Season: Oct–June & Monsoon Magic (June–Sept).