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
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
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 Corbett
The 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

• 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.