Dudhwa, in the Terai grasslands of Uttar Pradesh near the Nepal border, is one of India's quieter tiger reserves, and it is home to swamp deer and rhino as well.
You book a jeep safari in advance on the official Uttar Pradesh eco tourism site, upecotourism.in. The reserve has three main areas: Dudhwa, Kishanpur and Katarniaghat. Foreigners pay more than Indians. You visit in the cooler months, because the reserve closes in the monsoon.
Who needs to book
You need a booking for every person who enters a safari zone, Indian or foreign. You cannot take your own car inside. Your booking includes a registered jeep with a driver and a guide. Foreigners pay a higher fee than Indians, so give the correct nationality when you book.
The zones, in plain words
The reserve has three parts, and you pick one when you plan your day. Dudhwa is the main core, with grassland and sal forest and the best chance of swamp deer. Kishanpur is a smaller sanctuary that many people rate highly for tigers. Katarniaghat, further west along the Girwa river, is known for gharial, dolphins and quiet forest. Each area has its own gate and its own timings, so plan around one at a time.
How to book, step by step
Open the official Uttar Pradesh eco tourism site, upecotourism.in, and go to the online safari booking. Pick Dudhwa, Kishanpur or Katarniaghat, the date, and the morning or afternoon slot. Add each traveller with identity details, and give the correct nationality. Pay online, then download your permit. Carry your permit and the same original identity to the gate, because the staff check it there.
What it costs
Your cost has a few parts: the entry fee per person, the jeep charge, and a guide fee. Foreigners pay a higher fee than Indians. The official site shows you the exact figures when you book. We do not print a fee we cannot see clearly on the official source, because these figures change. You will see the current amount before you pay.
Documents you need
You need one government photo identity per traveller when you book. Indians can use Aadhaar. Foreigners use a passport. Carry the same original to the gate, because staff match it to your permit.
Season and timings
Dudhwa opens for the cooler, drier months, usually from about the middle of November to the middle of June, and closes for the monsoon. Uttar Pradesh has, in recent years, opened its reserves a little early, so check the current opening date. You get a morning safari and an afternoon safari, and the clock times move with the season. Winter mornings in the Terai are cold and misty, so carry warm clothes.
Common mistakes to avoid
- The biggest trap is booking on a private look alike site that adds a fee. You book the permit only on upecotourism.in. The next trap is treating the three areas as one, because Dudhwa, Kishanpur and Katarniaghat are far apart and each needs its own plan. Do not give the wrong nationality, or staff may stop you at the gate. Do not plan a monsoon visit, because the reserve closes.
Questions people ask
Where do I book a Dudhwa safari?
On the official Uttar Pradesh eco tourism site, upecotourism.in.
What makes Dudhwa special?
The Terai grasslands, the swamp deer, and the rhino, in a reserve far quieter than the famous parks.
Are Dudhwa, Kishanpur and Katarniaghat the same place?
No. They are three areas of the same reserve, far apart, each with its own gate and timings.
Do foreigners pay more?
Yes, foreigners pay a higher fee than Indians.
When is Dudhwa open?
Roughly from the middle of November to the middle of June. It closes for the monsoon. Check the current opening date.