National park · India
Jaldapara National Park
Enter Jaldapara for a morning rhino safari (₹200 per person) or a full‑day elephant/vehicle safari (₹800–₹1,200) in Oct–Feb; avoid the monsoon months June–July.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,080 km² (417 sq mi)417 sq mi (1,080 km²)
approximate
Established
2012
Best months
Oct–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 1,080 km² (417 sq mi)417 sq mi (1,080 km²)
- Exact area not published by official sources (check).
- Established
- 2012
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Jaldapara National Park in West Bengal protects a savannah‑like forest with the highest density of one‑horned rhinoceros in India, offering elephant and vehicle safaris, bird‑watching treks and a chance to see rare species such as the Bengal florican.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2012.
Size and age
1,080 km² (417 sq mi)417 sq mi (1,080 km²) · national park since 2012
Exact area not published by official sources (check).
Why go
- Spot the world’s largest population of one‑horned rhinoceros in a savannah‑like forest.
- Watch elephants, tigers and a rich birdlife including the rare Bengal florican.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry; good wildlife sightings.
- FebCool, dry; ideal for safaris.
- MarWarming up, still manageable.
- AprHeat rises, early mornings best.
- MayHot, occasional showers.
- JunMonsoon starts, trails muddy.
- JulHeavy rain, limited vehicle access.
- AugRainy, wildlife less visible.
- SepRain recedes, but humidity high.
- OctPost‑monsoon, clear skies.
- NovCool, dry, peak wildlife activity.
- DecCool, dry, excellent for photography.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One‑horned rhinocerosOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Bengal florican (rare bird)Oct–Feb | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Elephants, tigers, deer, bisonOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Siliguri (airport or train)
Bus or hired car on NH31 to Madarihat (≈140 km (87 mi)); taxi from Siliguri airport to Madarihat.Bus or hired car on NH31 to Madarihat (≈87 mi (140 km)); taxi from Siliguri airport to Madarihat.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Bagdogra Airport (IXB)
Taxi or bus to Siliguri, then NH31 to Madarihat.
3–4 h
From Madarihat railway station
Walk or local rickshaw 7 km (4.3 mi) to the park gate.Walk or local rickshaw 4.3 mi (7 km) to the park gate.
15 min walk
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Madarihat Gate | Entry point, ticket office, basic facilities. | Open daily; entry fee required. |
| Elephant Safari Area | Designated trails for elephant rides; open with safari fee. | Guided only. |
| Vehicle Safari Loop | Gravel roads through grassland and riverbanks; guided vehicles. | Guided only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are centre‑point of the park from official website; exact trailheads may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Madarihat gate) | INR 200 (≈ US$3) | person | Covers basic entry; safari fees separate (check). |
| Elephant safari (morning or afternoon) | INR 800–1,200 (≈ US$10–14) | person | Runs from the park office; booking on‑site. |
| Terrain‑vehicle safari | INR 800–1,200 (≈ US$10–14) | person | Available both morning and afternoon. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Safari permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹200≈ US$3
- ₹800–1,200≈ US$10–14
- ₹800–1,200≈ US$10–14
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited inside the park.
- Guides
- Required for all vehicle and elephant safaris.
- Pets
- Not allowed in the wildlife zones.
- Drones
- Not permitted without special permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Hollong Tourist Lodge
7 rooms, ₹2,500 per night; meals extra (₹400).
Near the park
Aranya Tourism Property
Dormitory and private rooms, ₹3,000–₹4,200 per night.
Near the park
Hotel Royal Green
Standard rooms, price not listed (check).
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Wild animal encounters low
Monsoon flooding high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Park entrance and main road are reachable by car; trails are uneven and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Support locally‑run lodges and buy food from village vendors.
- Choose operators that follow the permitted elephant‑safari routes.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Jaldapara National Park?
Entry at the Madarihat gate is ₹200 per person; safaris cost extra (₹800–₹1,200).
What are the best hikes in Jaldapara National Park?
The main walking trail is the bird‑watching trek (3–4 h) that passes grasslands and riverbanks; vehicle and elephant safaris are the primary ways to explore.
When is the best time to visit Jaldapara National Park?
October to February offers cool, dry weather and the highest wildlife visibility.
Can I stay inside the park?
Accommodation is available at lodges near the gate (Hollong Tourist Lodge, Aranya Property); there is no camping inside the protected area.
Do I need a guide for the safaris?
Yes – all elephant and vehicle safaris require a licensed guide.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go