Go there for: Tigers, Indian One-Horned rhino, Swamp Deer
Dudhwa National Park at a glance
Located in Terai, Uttar Pradesh (India) bordering Nepal, is a magnificient 498.29 sq. km vast refuge of some of the most fascinating species of wild flora and fauna, chief among them being the ruler predator - the tiger and the rare one-horned rhino. The warm, tropical forests here at the foothills of the Himalayas are watered by the Suheli river lying towards the North. The whole landscape is strewn with plush grasslands crwoned with Sal tress, rivers Suheli and Mohana and small waterbodies. Apart from its 'striped and horned' embellishments, Dudhwa boasts of five rare deer species - the swamp deep (barasingha), spotted deer (cheetal), hog deer (paada), barking deer (kaakad) and sambar - of which the swamp deer population is a conservationists dream-come-true.
Widlife Attractions of Dudhwa National Park
The grasslands are ideal terrain for both the tigers and the Indian one horned rhinoceros. The latter was hunted out of existence in this part of the country by the end of the 19th century but now it has been reintroduced in Dudhwa from other sanctuaries in Nepal and India.Today Dudhwa boasts of about 20 of these one-horned denizens. Ideal place to spot them are the grass thickets, swamps and waterbodies of the South Sonaripur Range Area of Dudhwa. Two other endangered species that the park shelters are the long-eared hispid hare and the Bengal florican. Other inhabitants include the deer, sloth bear, jackal, wild pig and the lesser cats - the fishing cat, leopard cat, jungle cat and civet.
Dudhwa also has an abundance of birds. Its marshes are home to a range of water-birds both local and migratory. Ornathologists favorite painted storks, sarus cranes, owls, barbets, woodpeckers, minivets and many more abound the park. Much of the park’s avian fauna is aquatic in nature, and is found around Dudhwa’s lakes- especially Banke Tal.
Safari Adventure
Widlife enthusiasts can either choose a jeep safari or tour the jungles on the elephant back. The main Dudhwa office near the park or the Salukhapur Chowki provides for elephant safaris. The mahout not just loads you with exciting jungle tales, but also can be an excellents guide to the tiger hide-outs. The rhinos are cloistered in the Salukhapur range and demands a special trip to see them in their natural habitat. Elephant and jeep safaris are plausible options to select from for rhino sighting.
What more to look out for in Dudhwa
Interpratation Centre: The Dudhwa Office is adorned with a library and an interpretation centre that provides information on the park. You can pick mementos like Dudhwa T-shirts and books signatured by Billy Arjan Singh - the conservationist who has largely been responsible for the setting up of Dudhwa.
Rajput face with a Nepali nose: The Tharu tribals who live in the premises of the park are an inter-mix of Rajasthani and Nepali origins. Rich with myths and ancient lores, their culture can be an interesting study.
Kishanpur Sanctuary: About 30-km from Dudhwa is the Jhaddi Taal, a waterbody, where you can see the largest herd of the swamp deer.
How to reach there
Lucknow at 201 km / 4 hr. drive is the nearest airport. Nearest railhead is at Shahjahanpur (110 km). Or if you are traveling from Delhi, drive down via Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Kutar and Palia to reach Dudhwa.
Ideal time to visit: Do not visit during monsoons. The best visiting time begins from mid-November and lasts till mid-June.
Accommodation options
Accommodation in the park is available at log huts, lodges and forest resthouses at Dudhwa, Sathiana, Bankatti, Kila and Sonaripur. All are pretty minimalist and affordable. Also in the park, on its southern periphery, is a lodge owned by `Billy’ Arjan Singh. Another option is to stay outside the park; Palia has a handful of hotels, and luxuries that you won’t get in the park.
Dudhwa National Park at a glance
Located in Terai, Uttar Pradesh (India) bordering Nepal, is a magnificient 498.29 sq. km vast refuge of some of the most fascinating species of wild flora and fauna, chief among them being the ruler predator - the tiger and the rare one-horned rhino. The warm, tropical forests here at the foothills of the Himalayas are watered by the Suheli river lying towards the North. The whole landscape is strewn with plush grasslands crwoned with Sal tress, rivers Suheli and Mohana and small waterbodies. Apart from its 'striped and horned' embellishments, Dudhwa boasts of five rare deer species - the swamp deep (barasingha), spotted deer (cheetal), hog deer (paada), barking deer (kaakad) and sambar - of which the swamp deer population is a conservationists dream-come-true.
Widlife Attractions of Dudhwa National Park
The grasslands are ideal terrain for both the tigers and the Indian one horned rhinoceros. The latter was hunted out of existence in this part of the country by the end of the 19th century but now it has been reintroduced in Dudhwa from other sanctuaries in Nepal and India.Today Dudhwa boasts of about 20 of these one-horned denizens. Ideal place to spot them are the grass thickets, swamps and waterbodies of the South Sonaripur Range Area of Dudhwa. Two other endangered species that the park shelters are the long-eared hispid hare and the Bengal florican. Other inhabitants include the deer, sloth bear, jackal, wild pig and the lesser cats - the fishing cat, leopard cat, jungle cat and civet.
Dudhwa also has an abundance of birds. Its marshes are home to a range of water-birds both local and migratory. Ornathologists favorite painted storks, sarus cranes, owls, barbets, woodpeckers, minivets and many more abound the park. Much of the park’s avian fauna is aquatic in nature, and is found around Dudhwa’s lakes- especially Banke Tal.
Safari Adventure
Widlife enthusiasts can either choose a jeep safari or tour the jungles on the elephant back. The main Dudhwa office near the park or the Salukhapur Chowki provides for elephant safaris. The mahout not just loads you with exciting jungle tales, but also can be an excellents guide to the tiger hide-outs. The rhinos are cloistered in the Salukhapur range and demands a special trip to see them in their natural habitat. Elephant and jeep safaris are plausible options to select from for rhino sighting.
What more to look out for in Dudhwa
Interpratation Centre: The Dudhwa Office is adorned with a library and an interpretation centre that provides information on the park. You can pick mementos like Dudhwa T-shirts and books signatured by Billy Arjan Singh - the conservationist who has largely been responsible for the setting up of Dudhwa.
Rajput face with a Nepali nose: The Tharu tribals who live in the premises of the park are an inter-mix of Rajasthani and Nepali origins. Rich with myths and ancient lores, their culture can be an interesting study.
Kishanpur Sanctuary: About 30-km from Dudhwa is the Jhaddi Taal, a waterbody, where you can see the largest herd of the swamp deer.
How to reach there
Lucknow at 201 km / 4 hr. drive is the nearest airport. Nearest railhead is at Shahjahanpur (110 km). Or if you are traveling from Delhi, drive down via Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Kutar and Palia to reach Dudhwa.
Ideal time to visit: Do not visit during monsoons. The best visiting time begins from mid-November and lasts till mid-June.
Accommodation options
Accommodation in the park is available at log huts, lodges and forest resthouses at Dudhwa, Sathiana, Bankatti, Kila and Sonaripur. All are pretty minimalist and affordable. Also in the park, on its southern periphery, is a lodge owned by `Billy’ Arjan Singh. Another option is to stay outside the park; Palia has a handful of hotels, and luxuries that you won’t get in the park.
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