The Corbett National Park is the oldest and most famous tiger reserve of India. spread over an area of 1318.54 sq.km including 520 sq.km of core area, the park is a home of plenty of wild animals especially famous for tigers. Other than tiger, Corbett is a home of deers, wild boars, leopards, bears, jungle cat fishing cat, various reptiles and around 500 species of birds. Wild dogs are seen in the southern areas of the park along with the jackal. The core part of Corbett is bounded with Kanda ridge, which is at a height of 1043m. The park is surrounded by mountains and falls of Shivalik.



Once known as Hailey National Park the park was renamed as Ramganga National Park in 1954-55 and again in 1955 renamed as Jim Corbett National Park after Jim Corbett who hunted man eaters tigers in the Kumaon region between 1907 to 1939. In 1973 it became one of the nine tiger reserves created at the launch of Project Tiger.

The park however, disappoint serious wildlife enthusiasts as in the 1318 sq.km park wild animals can be only seen in the core area that is not accessible for most of the people. Thought, vast grassland, sal forest and river habitats make the place well appreciable. Commonly seen wildlife include wild elephants, sloth bears, langur monkeys, peacocks, spotted deer, rhesus macaques. There are some part of the park where one can spot leopards, mugger crocodile, gharials, monitor lizards, wild boars and jackals. The park is often dotted with machaans(observation towers) from where the wide range of the park is clearly visible.

Sights And Activities

Ramnagar
Their main administrative center for Corbett National Park is located on the southeastern fringes of rich farm belt of Terai. Ramnagar is busy market town and a base camp for fishing. 15 km north of Ramnagar a place called Lohachaur along the river Kosi is angler’s paradise. Permits are available from the Project Tiger office in Ramnagar. There are also trip organizers who organizes fishing trips.

Wildlife Viewing
On the southern part of the park vast Savannah grassland also known as maidan is a home of different kinds of deers, chital and sambar. To seek prey tigers are often sneek into this territory. Explore the maidan area on the back of elephant, though elephant safari seldom go deep into the jungle, you have convince your Mahout(elephant driver) to penetrate deep inside. Best time to visit the grassland is during dawn and dusk.

Jeep Safari
The most convenient way to venture deep into the jungle is on the Jeep. Ramnagar is the place from where you ca rent jeeps, or you can take safari from KMVN Tourist Lodge or from other travel agencies. Jeeps or the smaller Maruti Gypsies can be hired in Ramnangar. Check prices at the reception center and hotel before hiring a jeep.