Dudhwa National Park

Uttar Pradesh

Dudhwa National Park plays a vital yet often underestimated role in maintaining the ecological balance of both its immediate region and the wider global environment. This Reserve stands as a remarkable haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife admirers alike, boasting a rich tapestry of terrain, flourishing greenery, expansive wetlands, and outstanding biodiversity. With rare and captivating species at every turn, Dudhwa offers an unparalleled experience for lovers of the natural world. The park’s flora is classified as North Indian Moist Deciduous, featuring some of the country’s most exquisite Sal forests and the largest remaining tracts of moist grasslands in this part of India.

About Dudhwa National Park

The presence of Dudhwa National Park undeniably influences the ecological balance not only of its immediate surroundings but also, in a broader sense, of the planet as a whole—though the full extent of this impact is still not entirely understood. With its idyllic, almost paradise-like setting, the Reserve is a dream escape for those with a deep appreciation for nature and wildlife. Blessed with diverse topography, verdant landscapes, expansive wetlands, and extraordinary biodiversity, it offers an experience that is as enriching as it is inspiring. Boredom finds no place in Dudhwa, where a wealth of flora and fauna greets visitors at nearly every turn. The vegetation here belongs to the North Indian Moist Deciduous category, comprising some of India’s most stunning examples of Sal forests, alongside the region’s largest surviving stretches of moist grasslands.

Beyond its scenic allure, Dudhwa supports a robust population of both tigers and leopards, while also sustaining a thriving group of the nominate sub-species of the Swamp deer, locally known as Barasingha. In a landmark conservation achievement, the Indian One-horned Rhinoceros was successfully reintroduced into the park in 1984. Moreover, Dudhwa shelters several critically endangered species, including the elusive Bengal Florican and the rare Hispid Hare. The park boasts a rich avian population, with approximately 450 resident bird species, complemented by numerous migratory visitors throughout the year. In addition to its wildlife treasures, the Reserve is interspersed with several shallow lakes—or taals—as well as various other perennial sources of fresh water, adding to its ecological richness and vitality.

What To Know About Dudhwa

Best Time to Visit:

  • March – May
  • November – April

Reaching Dudhwa:

  • Flight: New Delhi – Lucknow
  • Railway: New Delhi – Palia Kalan

Wildlife in Dudhwa National Park

Dudhwa National Park offers an ideal and secure refuge for an estimated 38 species of mammals, 16 species of reptiles, and a multitude of bird species, thanks to its vast expanse of approximately 811 square kilometres comprising marshes, grasslands, and dense forested areas.

This remarkable landscape provides sanctuary to a diverse range of wildlife, including the tiger, Indian rhinoceros, swamp deer, elephant, sambar, hog deer, cheetal, barking deer (kakar), wild boar, rhesus macaque, langur, sloth bear, nilgai (blue bull), porcupine, otter, various turtle species, python, monitor lizard, mugger crocodile, and gharial, among others.

Of the more than 1,300 bird species native to the Indian subcontinent, over 450 can be observed within Dudhwa National Park alone. Notable avian residents include the hornbill, red junglefowl, peafowl, Bengal florican, fishing eagle, serpent eagle, osprey, paradise flycatcher, woodpeckers, white-rumped shama, Indian pitta, orioles, and the emerald dove, among several others. During the winter months, the park’s extensive and varied water bodies attract a vast array of migratory birds, making it a cherished destination for birdwatching enthusiasts.

Mammals

In addition to being a well-known sanctuary for swamp deer, it is also the natural habitat of tigers, leopards, several species of deer, antelopes, elephants, jackals, hyenas, and other animals, and is characterised by dense vegetation and grassland. It is also a paradise for people who enjoy watching birds. In this area, there are also a significant number of rhinos.

Dudhwa national park is home to a wide variety of animals, including tigers, leopards, deer, antelopes, elephants, and birds.
Approximately 230 kilometres away from Lucknow is a serene, tranquil, and green nest in the Tarai foothills.

Birds

Many native bird species as well as migratory bird species call Dudhwa home. Dudhwa naitonal park is a biodiversity hotspot that is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. The following is an exhaustive list of the avian life that may be found in Dudhwa national park. It may come as a surprise to learn that of the approximately 1300 types of birds that may be found in India, the Dudhwa Tiger reserve is home to 550 of those species.

Kingfishers, Bengal Floricans, Lesser Floricans, Sarus Cranes, Barbets, Owls, Hornbills, Drongos, Minivets, Geese, Ruddy-breasted Crakes, and other species of birds are not difficult to spot in the Dudhwa national park. Other birds include the Ruddy-breasted Crake. You will have a good time on the wildlife tour at Dudhwa Tiger reserve even if birdwatching is not one of your hobbies. Please take the time to read my post about Dudhwa National Park if you are interested in learning more about this lesser-known wildlife area.

Reptiles

The sandy riverbanks of the Soheli-Neora are a popular spot for mugger crocodiles to sunbathe and relax during the winter months. In addition to crocodiles, the well-watered areas are home to otters, monitor lizards, and pythons, all of which are in search of crocodile eggs to feast upon.

The barasingha have made Dudhwa National Park their fortress for centuries. In Dudhwa National Park, you may find approximately half of the world’s barasingha population. The barasingha is a subspecies of the sambar deer that is distinguished by its twelve antlers, which cumulatively can measure up to 100 centimetres (39 in). It is possible to see a herd of these uncommon animals as they travel through open grasslands. The park is home to approximately one-half of the barasingha population that has managed to survive.

tripadvisor 2022
Paola-Giangio
Booked with tigersafari.co.uk
Nature Safari India organized our private 2 Weeks Safari in Central India plus a couple of Sightseeing and we are very happy to having choose this agency. I found them on the responsible tiger tourism association (TOFTigers) and I liked them from the very first contact. From the first email more than two years ago to the end of our trip in April 2022, the service was great, the selection of the itinerary, Parks, lodges and guides was perfect. And this although the very difficult travel situation due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Our trip had to be postponed and rescheduled twice (we were supposed to travel at the end of March 2020), Mr. Deepkul was always very professional, competent, responsive and helpful with all my requests and he went the extra mile. We had a wonderful time in India, we saw a lot of tigers and wildlife, and we hope to come back soon. We warmly recommend Nature Safari India to everyone and in the future, we’ll surely book another tour with them.
578srs
Booked with tigersafari.co.uk
We did 5 days of safaris with Sharad Vats's team, in Kanga and Pench, in April 2022. Right from the planning to the actual execution, Sharad was accessible, knowledgeable and helpful, to ensure we got a good experience. Not only was the itinerary planned and tweaked multiple times to suit us, but our accommodation and food needs were also taken care of well. We enjoyed the trip immensely, especially because Sharas understood that we were not just after tiger sightings, but enjoyed birds and trees and other wildlife too, and recommended an itinerary accordingly. The accommodation and food was great. And my particular need of a wifi connection even in these remote areas (because there was a study commitment I could not miss) was also met. Highly recommended.
Izziecrew
Booked with tigersafari.co.uk
We had an amazing and totally unforgettable trip to India organised by Nature Safari India, in particular Deepkul (and previously Manjeet). I organised the trip 2 years ago just as the pandemic hit, I had been communicating with Nature Safari India constantly for quite a few months until we finalised on an itinerary, nothing was too much trouble and replies to queries were almost instant. When it came to the actual holiday, all we had to do was get to New Delhi. (As a warning it isn't straightforward to get visas anymore) From then on all was taken care of. We were met at the airport and were looked after from that point, including checking us into the hotel and providing a car and driver for our exclusive use until we left New Delhi. We were driven from each location by drivers who looked after us incredibly well, stopped/slowed down if we wanted to take pictures, they also pointed out interesting sites as we passed. If you have time, I would recommend travelling by car to different locations, as you see a lot more of India. Deepkul monitored us through our whole holiday, checking that we were OK, getting reports from each of our guides and making sure we were happy with our holiday. Our guides and drivers, throughout, were fantastic, so friendly, knowledgeable, thoughtful and polite.

What you will experience on this tour.

Nature Safari India, which has more than 30 years of experience in the wildlife safari industry and is an expert in tiger safari India tours, ensures that you will have an authentic and fulfilling safari experience on your next trip to India. Our tiger safari tours highlight the best of Indian wildlife along with hints of culture and Indian heritage.

These tours take place in some of the best national parks in the country for wildlife, such as Ranthambore National Park, Corbett National Park, or even Bandhavgarh National Park, and cover a variety of species and landscapes. Take a look at some of the top-rated tiger safari India excursions that we offer here.

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