National park · India
Dudhwa National Parkदुधवा राष्ट्रीय उद्यान
Visit Dudhwa for a day safari: pay the entry fee, hire a certified guide, and join a morning elephant or jeep safari; avoid the monsoon months (June–Nov).
- 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
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
811 km² (313 sq mi)313 sq mi (811 km²)
approximate
Established
1977
Best months
Apr–May
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
- 811 km² (313 sq mi)313 sq mi (811 km²)
- Figures vary by source: the core Dudhwa National Park is 680 km², while the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (including Kishanpur and Katerniaghat sanctuaries) covers about 1,284 km².
- Established
- 1977
- Best months
- Apr–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Dudhwa National Park, in the Terai of Uttar Pradesh near the Nepal border, protects a mosaic of sal forests, grasslands and shallow lakes. It is one of India's best places to see swamp deer (barasingha) and Indian one-horned rhinos, and is a Project Tiger reserve. The park is closed from mid-June to mid-November for the monsoon, and all visits require a certified guide.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1977Designated as Dudhwa Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger.
Size and age
811 km² (313 sq mi)313 sq mi (811 km²) · national park since 1977
Figures vary by source: the core Dudhwa National Park is 680 km², while the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (including Kishanpur and Katerniaghat sanctuaries) covers about 1,284 km².
Why go
- Large populations of tigers, rhinos and swamp deer in a mixed forest‑grassland landscape.
- Elephant‑back and jeep safaris give close views of rhinos and birds around the lakes.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry; wildlife active.
- FebMild, good for safaris.
- MarDry, migratory birds start arriving.
- AprWarm, clear skies, excellent wildlife spotting.
- MayWarm, dry; before monsoon closure.
- JunPark closed for monsoon (mid‑June onward).
- JulClosed; heavy rains.
- AugClosed; heavy rains.
- SepClosed until mid‑Nov.
- OctRe‑opens mid‑Oct, cooler weather.
- NovPark re‑opens, pleasant temperatures.
- DecCool, dry; good for wildlife.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Bengal tigerOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Indian one‑horned rhinocerosOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Swamp deer (barasingha)Oct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Migratory waterbirdsSep–Mar · Peak numbers Sep–Mar. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Gangetic dolphin (Geruwa River)Oct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | 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 Delhi
Drive 8–9 h via NH 19 or take a train to Shahjehanpur then 3 h road to the park gate.
8–9 h
Open the page →
From Lucknow (nearest airport)
Fly to Lucknow, then 6 h drive (≈245 km (152 mi)) to the park gate.Fly to Lucknow, then 6 h drive (≈152 mi (245 km)) to the park gate.
6 h
Open the page →
From Kashipur (nearest railway)
Train to Kashipur, then 1 h road to the gate.
1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate & office | Entry point, ticket office, canteen, and basic accommodation. | Open with entry ticket and guide permit. |
| Lake & taal area | Shallow lakes (Bankey Taal, Kakraha Taal) with bird‑watching spots. | Accessible by jeep safari; walking allowed. |
| Elephant safari base | Launch point for elephant rides to rhino‑rich zones. | Guided only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 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 of the park; points are approximate.
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 (per adult) | INR 300 (≈ US$4) | person | Check official fee schedule; includes access to main trails. |
| Jeep safari (morning or afternoon) | INR 1,500 (≈ US$18) | person | Vehicle cost shared; guide included. |
| Elephant safari (optional) | INR 2,000 (≈ US$25) | person | Check availability; seasonal. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Guided safari permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹300≈ US$4
- ₹1,500≈ US$18
- ₹2,000≈ US$25
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
- Guides
- A certified guide is mandatory for all safaris and vehicle entry.
- Vehicles
- Only park‑approved jeeps or elephants may enter; private cars are not allowed.
- Camping
- Camping only in designated jungle tents; no open‑fire camping.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; park enforces zero‑pollution policy.
- Noise
- Keep noise low to avoid disturbing wildlife.
Where to stay
In the park
Park jungle tents
Canvas tents (capacity 8) with shared toilet and basic bedding.
Near the park
Palia town
Budget hotels and guesthouses 10 km (6.2 mi) from the gate.Budget hotels and guesthouses 6.2 mi (10 km) from the gate.
Safety
Heat medium
Monsoon closure high
Wild animal encounters medium
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
- Main gate area is reachable by road; short walks from vehicle drop‑off.
- Safari routes are on rough tracks; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use park‑approved vehicles and follow the zero‑pollution policy.
- Support local guides and buy souvenirs from the park shop.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Dudhwa National Park?
Entry is about ₹300 per adult; safaris (jeep ₹1,500, elephant ₹2,000) are extra and require a guide.
What are the best hikes in Dudhwa National Park?
There are no formal hiking trails; the main activities are jeep or elephant safaris that follow established routes to lakes and wildlife zones.
When is the best time to visit Dudhwa National Park?
Visit October to May for dry conditions; the park is closed June–Nov due to monsoon.
Do I need a guide to enter Dudhwa?
Yes – a certified guide is mandatory for any vehicle entry or safari.
Are there accommodation options inside the park?
Yes – the park runs jungle tents and a few basic rooms; they must be booked in advance through the park office.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Dudhwa National Park
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