Jim
Corbett National Park was India's first national park, located near
Nainital in the state of Uttaranchal. It was established as a national
park in 1936 under the United Provinces National Parks Act of India. It
is known for its varied

wildlife,
and as the site for the launching of Project Tiger. The park is named
after Jim Corbett, a legendary hunter-turned-conservator, best known for
despatching a number of man-eating tigers and leopards in this region in
the first half of the 20th century.
Climate in Corbett : - Temperature
in winter's can go down to 4 degrees centigrade at night and the entire
jungle is extremely dry in the summer months as the temperatures reach
as high as 44 degrees centigrade. Rainfall: 1400mm-2800mm.
Flora
and Fauna in Corbett National Park : - The onset of March is best suited for animal viewing.
Corbett has the highest density of Tiger in the country, approximately
one every 10 sq km. Nonetheless, tiger is an elusive cat, and its
sighting is rare for amateurs. In Corbett, too, one often may come
across alarm calls made by birds and monkeys, indicating the presence of
a predator in the vicinity, but to spot the majestic animal can still
remain an ambition.
Even those groups who camp overnight near a
waterhole on full moon nights, lament that the closest they came to a
tiger was its growling voice in the dead of night. But guides believe
that normally, most groups become too excited after seeing as much as a
fresh set of pugmarks. One should be very patient and quiet to outwit
the king of jungle. Not every pugmark can lead you home. It is only in
Ranthambhor that tigers are well acquainted with jeep and other
vehicles, and can be spotted even on the road.
A different set
of rules applies in Corbett, where incidence of poaching is on the rise.
This advice is worth considering for those planning a visit to Corbett.
Elephant herds on the other hand are far easier to spot. In a pachyderm
family, calves are the most enjoyable to watch. Here one should not
forget that an elephant herd with calves is perhaps the most dangerous
encounter in the wild, for elephants are possessive of their young.
There have been many instances when they charge at the jeep. So a safe
distance from the herd is always advisable.
Jeep and
Elephant Safari in CorbettThe Jim Corbett National Park
endorses Jeep Safari, Horse Safari, Bird Safari, Elephant Safari,
Fishing safari and the Nature walk. Take an early dawn elephant back
safari with an authorized mahout guide. Jeeps Safari, is the most
convenient and comfortable way to travel within Corbett National Park.
Jeep rides can be arranged at the Tourist Centre. Although jeeps
penetrate deeper into the forest than elephants, they cannot get nearly
as close to the wild animals. The jeeps can be rented for the park trips
from Ramnagar, from the KMVN Tourist Lodge and other travel agencies.
How
to Reach Corbett
- Air
Phoolbagh, Pantnagar at a distance of 50 km is
the nearest airport. Delhi at a distance of 300 km is the nearest
international airport.
- Rail
Ramnagar is on the broad gauge track from where
the road transport options have to be availed to reach the park. For
faster trains and connections to other parts of India change at
Moradabad.
- Road
Dhikala is 300 km from Delhi, 145 km from
Lucknow and 51 km from Ramnagar. Ramnagar is served by frequent
buses to and from Nainital and Ranikhet, 112 km north. Buses arrive
every half hour or so after the eight hour trip from Delhi; Delhi
Transport corporation also runs semi deluxe services.