Before you go to corbett, it is important that you get into the right mood.Importantly, please do not include corbett in your itenary as a "been to and seen" place. if you have kids with you make sure you prime them about wildlife before you begin preparations. In short it is not a "stand close together and grin into the camera" trip. Else you will come back dissappointed and give feedback to your neighbours wildly off the mark, like the regulars from in and around Delhi do.
The national park has Jhirna,Bijrani, and Dhikala ranges. Of these the last is the most popular. the dhikala range has many rest houses such as sultan, Gairal, Dhikala, Khinanauli and sarpdulli. all these were once villages. their population have now been been relocated, and are places that you will find mention of in jim corbett's "man-eaters of kumaon". that reminds me, before you go read that book and make your kids read it too. wheteher you are on elephant or jeep safari, you have to be quiet. serious joy is found then. all communication that is essential must be whispered.
take your camera and binoculars. and be prepared to sit out at one place. i recommend jeep safari and atleast one early morning elephant safari when you stay overnight in dhikala. those going to dhikala must remember that only people with overnight bookings at some RH in the range can enter.those without, can only enter through a canter safari run twice a day.the early morning safaris should be preferred.
get yourself a good guide. some resorts outside the park provide their jeeps and guides to accompany you in the range. some of these guides are good. in any case in dhikala you will find guides who charge a nominal fees. you can use your own vehicle(preferably, an SUV) to enter, stay overnight in a RH and move around with a guide.
if you are quiet on the trips inside you will find the journey meditative. breathe lungfulls for this is fresh air. And listen to the jungle. talk less, for humans usually talk nonsense. use this as an excuse to be quiet, silent.
my advice to you is to get a 2-3 day stay in dhikala. get up before sunrise and leave on a elephant safari (book for it previous evening). come back, have breakfast and then take jeep safari's with a guide till lunch. sit on stake outs whenever there is a call. tell your guide you have not come to see tigers alone. and see how he responds. then you will see birds, reptiles and other fauna/flora.
the rules of the park are very strict. do not litter. no honking and no stepping down from your vehicles. dont take the last one in jest. it is important for your own safety. read " man eaters.." and you will know why. in any case there are pythons and cobras too. so the rule is important.
lastly, this is one tourist destination where you can take things lightly instead of pushing/jumping lines like delhites do. if you find anyone doing it, tell them politely and firmly, not to. in the jungle, you represnt the human species. not a city slicker. if you are driving inside, drive slowly and give way to passing vehicles, help the passing vehicle with any tips that you can give about sightings. here, you can smile at strangers. for they are your kin.fellow humans.