Dudhwa National Park — location and key facts
Dudhwa National Park forms the core of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh. The reserve brings together three protected areas — Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, and Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary. The park contains some of the finest Sal forests in the world and supports a rich biodiversity of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Dudhwa is one of the very few places outside Assam where wild rhinos can be seen.
When is Dudhwa National Park open
• Open: November 15 to June 15
• Closed: Mid-June to Mid-November, coinciding with the monsoon
Wildlife in Dudhwa National Park
Dudhwa is one of the very few places in India outside Assam where wild Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros can be seen. The park also holds a healthy Bengal tiger population relative to its size.
Tigers and rhinos in Dudhwa National Park
Bengal Tiger — Dudhwa has a healthy tiger population relative to its size. Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros — Dudhwa is one of the very few places outside Assam where wild rhinos survive, following a reintroduction program inside the park.
Other mammals, birds, and reptiles in Dudhwa National Park
Swamp Deer (Barasingha), Asian Elephant, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Gharial, Mugger Crocodile, Indian Python, and Sambar are all present. Over 450 bird species have been recorded — the varied water bodies attract large concentrations of migratory birds in winter, making Dudhwa one of the finest birdwatching destinations in northern India.
Safari zones in Dudhwa National Park
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve has two primary safari zones corresponding to its two main tourism areas — Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary. The two zones are separated by approximately 15 km of agricultural land. Safari departure points and fees differ between the two zones.
Dudhwa National Park Zone
The primary zone centered on the Dudhwa tourist complex. Dense Sal forest, grasslands, marshes, and river corridors. Tiger, rhino, swamp deer, and elephant are regularly sighted here. Safari departs from the Dudhwa National Park tourism premises.
Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary Zone
Located approx. 15 km from the Dudhwa core zone through agricultural land. Marshes, grasslands, and dense forest terrain particularly suited to swamp deer, tiger, and bird sightings. Safari departs from the Dudhwa Tourism Premises (Kishanpur).
Safari types and permits at Dudhwa National Park
Safari timings at Dudhwa National Park
Two safari sessions operate daily — morning and evening. Maximum entry time for the evening safari is 4:00 PM; arrivals after 4:00 PM are not admitted to the evening session.
Nov 15–Feb 28
Morning safari: 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Evening safari: 3:00 PM – before sunset
Mar 1–Jun 15
Morning safari: 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Evening safari: 4:30 PM – before sunset
How to book a Dudhwa National Park safari permit
All safari permits are booked through the official UP Eco Tourism portal. There is no authorized alternative.
• Official Booking Portal: upecotourism.in/DudhwaNationalPark.aspx
Dudhwa National Park safari entry fees
Entry fee is per person per trip, separate from the safari vehicle charge.
• Adult: ₹2,000
• Child (5+ years): ₹1,400
Dudhwa National Park safari vehicle charge
• Dudhwa National Park departure point: ₹800
• Dudhwa Tourism Premises departure point: ₹1,000
Guide fee and road fee are included in the safari vehicle charge. No separate guide or road payment required at Dudhwa.
All fees and charges listed on this page are applicable to foreign nationals only.
Safari rules at Dudhwa National Park
Safari conduct rules at Dudhwa are enforced by the forest guide assigned to every vehicle and apply to all visitors regardless of nationality.
• Wear nature-merging colors — beige, green, or brown.
• Maintain a minimum distance of 20 meters from any wildlife. If an animal approaches, stay stationary and give passage.
• Do not alight from the vehicle except at authorized places. Do not lean out or board a different vehicle during the safari.
• Do not shout during sightings or otherwise. Switch off mobile phones and reverse horn in the core area.
• Do not stay at any sighting spot for more than 5 minutes.
• Do not throw plastic or any object — bottles, tins, packets — from your vehicle.
• No arms, explosives, intoxicants, or pet animals are permitted inside the park.
• Carry your park entry pass and identity proof at all times — show on demand to forest officials.
How to reach Dudhwa National Park
Palia is the access town for Dudhwa National Park — approx. 10 km from the park gate. Whether arriving or departing, use the station codes and transport info below.
Dudhwa National Park Access Town — Palia
Rail Station: Mailani Junction (MLA) — approx. 40 km from Palia
Airport: Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Lucknow (LKO) — approx. 230 km from Palia
Bus Terminal: Charbagh Bus Stand | Kaiserbagh Bus Stand | Alambagh Bus Stand — approx. 200 km from Palia
Travel to Mailani (MLA) by train from Lucknow and use a taxi or bus to Palia. If flying, Lucknow Airport (LKO) is the nearest — travel onward to Palia by bus or taxi.
Frequently Asked Questions — Dudhwa National Park
All safari permits are booked through the official UP Eco Tourism portal at upecotourism.in/DudhwaNationalPark.aspx. There is no authorized alternative booking method. Entry fee and the safari vehicle charge are billed separately.
The Dudhwa National Park zone is the primary tourism zone with dense Sal forest, grasslands, and regular tiger, rhino, swamp deer, and elephant sightings. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary zone is approx. 15 km away through agricultural land, with marshes and grassland terrain particularly suited to swamp deer, tiger, and bird sightings. Safari departure points and fees differ between the two.
Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is one of three protected areas that together form the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, alongside Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary. It operates as a separate safari zone with its own guides.
Yes. Dudhwa is one of the very few places in India outside Assam where wild Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros can be seen, following a reintroduction program inside the park. Sightings are most regularly reported in the Dudhwa National Park zone.
Yes. The guide fee and road fee are included in the safari vehicle charge — ₹800 from the Dudhwa National Park departure point or ₹1,000 from the Dudhwa Tourism Premises departure point. No separate guide payment is required at the gate.
No. Dudhwa is closed from mid-June to mid-November each year, coinciding with the monsoon. The park reopens for the safari season on November 15 and remains open through June 15.
No. Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is a separately notified Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh, distinct from the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, even though the two are geographically close and sometimes marketed together by private tour operators. The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve consists specifically of Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, and Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.
Palia is the access town, approximately 10 km from the park gate. Mailani Junction (MLA) is the nearest railway station, about 40 km from Palia. The nearest airport is Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow (LKO), approx. 230 km away. Travel to Mailani by train from Lucknow and hire a taxi to Palia — or fly into Lucknow and travel onward to Palia by taxi.
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