Jaldapara Safari Route & Safari Price

Jaldapara National Park is located at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, along the Torsa River in West Bengal. This expansive grassland, interspersed with riverine forests, was designated as a sanctuary in 1943 to preserve its diverse flora and fauna, with the Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros being a prominent species. In 2012, the sanctuary's status was elevated to that of a National Park. The national park's landscape encompasses a blend of woodlands, grasslands, swamps, and streams, encompassing an area of 216.51 sq km.

Jaldapara is bordered by several rivers, including the Torsa, Malangi, Hollong, Chirakhawa, Kalijhora, Sissamara, Bhaluka, and Buri Torsa, creating extensive grasslands that serve as a haven for a variety of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. The nearest significant town is Madarihat. Stretching from the Bhutan border near Totopara in the north to the Mathurabagan tea estate in the south, the forest extends approximately 50 km in length.

Two types of safaris are available at Jaldapara National Park: Elephant Safari and Jeep Safari.

Advanced booking is necessary to enjoy the forest safari at Jaldapara National Park. Permits are to be issued by the forest department.

Elephant Safari : Exploring the beauty of the exotic national park while sitting at the back of the giant elephant is so fascinating. Riding at the back of these huge beasts, embracing the early morning quietude of the forest is itself a wonderful journey. The sighting of one-horned rhinos, Indian bison, deer, birds, etc. from the top of an elephant's back is an unrivaled experience. Otherwise, it all depends on the choice or the kind of experience you are seeking. The elephant safari is a great opportunity to behold for adventure-obsessed individuals.

Jeep Safari: Jeep safari is one of the most preferred activities among the tourists who visit there. The reason behind this is the way it helps the visitors to explore the beauty and uniqueness of the Jaldapara National Park. The only advice for you is to hire a professional guide as they can help you in educating you about the facts and history of the park and will also help you enhance the experience of your park visit. The Jeep safari is a great opportunity for photographers to capture the wilderness and nature’s bounty through lenses.

Jeep Safaris are conducted both in the early morning slots and evening slots. They are available in 2 slots each in the morning and evening times. The safari timings vary in the summer and winter seasons. The starting points of the jeep safari are Madarihat Hollong Gate, Salkumar Gate, Chilapata Gate and NEC Complex. The routes of the jeep safari encompass pleasant views of sub-Himalayan semi-green woodlands, semi-deciduous woodlands, savannah-like grasslands, the Torsa River, the views of Bhutan Hills, gaurs, barking deers, hog deers, sambars, rhinos, crested serpent eagles, lone leopards, elephants, avifauna and so on.

The forest is predominantly characterised by tall elephant grasses. The primary attraction of Jaldapara National Park is the Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros, with the park boasting the highest rhino population in India after Kaziranga National Park in Assam. Other notable wildlife include Royal Bengal tigers, elephants, various species of deer such as sambar, barking deer, spotted deer, and hog deer, as well as wild pigs and bison.

Jaldapara is also a haven for bird watchers. It is one of the few places in India where the Bengal florican can be observed. Additionally, Jaldapara is home to species like the crested eagle, Pallas's fish eagle, shikra, jungle fowl, peafowl, partridges, and the lesser pied hornbill. Reptiles such as pythons, monitor lizards, kraits, cobras, geckos, and about eight species of freshwater turtles also inhabit the park.

Totapara - Adjacent to Jaldapara National Park, towards the north direction, Totopara is a small tribal village home to the aboriginal Toto tribe which is the most primitive tribe of the Dooar region. The village is located at a distance of 21 km from the national park. Jaldapara, located along the banks of the Torsha River, shares its northern border with the foothills of Bhutan. The area is bordered by the Torsha River to the east and the Titi River forest to the south. One of the village's primary attractions is the unique lifestyle of the local inhabitants.

Chilapata Forest :The Torsa River divides the continuous forest stretch, with Jaldapara on its western side and Chilapata on the eastern side. Visitors can explore the forest with permission from the forest department, accompanied by an authorized guide. Chilapata is conveniently located just 23 km from Jaldapara, making it an ideal option for a day trip.

Buxa Tiger Reserve & Fort : Founded in 1982, Buxa Tiger Reserve was created to protect the critically important Royal Bengal Tiger population in North Bengal. The reserve is situated in the northeastern corner of the Dooars plains, near the border with Assam and Bhutan. In 1992, the area encompassing Buxa Duar Fort was designated as a national park. The Buxa Fort, which has a rich historical background, was constructed centuries ago and came under British control following the Second Dooars War in 1865, fought between Bhutan and the British. The fort's history is marked by significant parallel events.

Khayerbari : About an hour’s drive from Jaldapara National Park, the Bhutan Gate is located at Samtse, approximately 46 km from the national park. It is the checkpost of the Indo-Bhutan border from where one can get a glimpse of Bhutan, the neighbouring nation of India.

Bhutan Gate : About an hour’s drive from Jaldapara National Park, the Bhutan Gate is located at Samtse, approximately 46 km from the national park. It is the checkpost of the Indo-Bhutan border from where one can get a glimpse of Bhutan, the neighbouring nation of India.