The park was originally named the Hailey National Park after Governor Hailey and was created on August 6th 1936. It was India's first National Park. After independence, the park was renamed, this time after the Ramganga River, and was hence called the Ramganga National Park. The park was renamed again in 1957. It was named after [wiki=bddb0684c3b05ffd7b02899060dcb6fe]Edward James "Jim" Corbett[/wiki] who helped to set up the park and spent most of his life in the area.
The area of the park was increased in 1991 when the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary was added to the park.
Flora: There are almost 488 different types of species of plants in the park; some of the main species found here are Bel, Chbilla, Dhak, Bakli, Pula, Bamboo, Semal, Khingan, Sal, Khair, Sissoo, Ber, Kuthber, Kharpat, Rohini.
Fauna: This Park has almost 33 different species of reptiles, 7 different species of amphibians, around 7 different species of fish and 37 different species of dragonflies.
There are three well defined seasons starting with the winter season which lasts from November to February, the summer season which lasts from March to June, and the rainy season which covers the rest of the year. The summer rains cause flooding in the park. The temperature in the Winters can go down to 4 degrees centigrade at night and the entire jungle is dry in the summer months as the temperature goes up to 44 degrees centigrade. The annual rainfall in the park ranges between 1400mm and 2800mm.
You may reach Jim Corbett from Delhi by car. It takes about 5 hours to reach Corbett from Delhi
Ramnagar is 10kms from the park and has a small railway station that is connected to major cities around.
There are 4 airports around the national park
1. Delhi
2. Dehradun
3. Lucknow
4.Chandigarh
While inside the park, better not to use your own vehicle because only a trained professional have the idea where about to go. And Best to hire a taxi (Gypsy) which is fully open. And it cost about Rs 3500.00-4500.00, depends upon the negotiation for two days.
Few guest houses are available. Dhikala and Gairal being the most sought after. Advance booking can be done at the tourism office on Barakhamba Road, New Delhi. On the spot booking can be done at Ramnagar. The stay is very reasonable. Around Rs.2500 charges for double bed room with all basic facilities. (At Dhikala forest rest house). This rest house is high in demand so it is always advisable to book well in advance. Maximum stay of 3 nights at a time is permitted. Electric fences are present around the housing area.
It is advisable to stay inside the National Park and getting accommodation booked there is no more difficult. The booking has to be made at least 45 days in advance with an online booking service recently launched by the government (http://corbettonline.uk.gov.in/) and booking can be done for dates on or beyond 15 November 2013. There are a few local companies like 'sam's travel house' that offer to do the entire package [pickup from Ramnagar station, booking in the Forest Rest House in Dikhala and jeep safaris] that can be booked online.
Alternatively, one can look at staying in one of the numerous resorts, lodges, hotels outside the core zone on the road running north south in between Sitabani Reserve and Corbett National Park. These places organise permits and jeep safaris for the guests and provide basic to lavish accommodations along the western bank of the Kosi River (not the one in Bihar).
There are several camps you can choose to stay at. The facilities in these camps are in surprisingly good condition: Hot buckets, nice food, and good beds.