Uttar Pradesh has a wild, green side in the Terai grasslands along the Nepal border, with tigers, swamp deer and rhino.
One official site books the safaris. You book on upecotourism.in, the Uttar Pradesh eco tourism portal. The same site covers Dudhwa, Pilibhit, Katarniaghat and more. You pick the park, the date and the slot. Foreigners pay more than Indians. You visit in the cooler months, because the parks close for the monsoon.
One portal, in plain words
You do not need a different website for each park. The Uttar Pradesh eco tourism system books the state's tiger reserves and forests in one place. You make a login, pick the park, and choose your slot. It is the same idea as the big tiger states: one government site, several parks, no private middleman.
Which parks you can book here
- Dudhwa, the grassland reserve near the Nepal border, with swamp deer and rhino.
- Pilibhit, a long, narrow tiger reserve along the border, known for good sightings.
- Katarniaghat, on the Girwa river, known for gharial and dolphins.
- Others, as the state lists them.
How to book, step by step
Open the official portal, upecotourism.in, and go to the online safari booking. Pick the park, 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. Uttar Pradesh has opened its reserves a little early in recent years, so check the current opening date and book early.
What is the same across every park
- You cannot take your own car inside. A registered jeep with a driver and a guide is part of the booking.
- Each park has a small daily limit, so seats go fast.
- You carry the same original identity you used to book, because staff check it at the gate.
- Winter mornings in the Terai are cold and misty, so carry warm clothes.
For foreign visitors
Foreigners can book on the same portal, and pay a higher fee than Indians. You give your passport details, and you carry the passport to the gate. Give the correct nationality, because a wrong entry can stop you at the gate.
The season, so you plan the right months
The Uttar Pradesh parks open in the cooler, drier months, usually from about the middle of November to the middle of June, and close for the monsoon. In recent years the state has opened a little ahead of the usual date. The dry months bring the best sightings, so late in the season is a fine time to come. Confirm the exact dates on the official site.
Common mistakes to avoid
- The biggest trap is booking on a private look alike site that adds a fee. You book only on upecotourism.in. The next is treating the parks as close together, because Dudhwa, Pilibhit and Katarniaghat are spread along the border 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 parks close.
Questions people ask
Is there one site for Uttar Pradesh parks?
Yes. You book Dudhwa, Pilibhit, Katarniaghat and the others on upecotourism.in.
What makes these parks special?
The Terai grasslands, the swamp deer and the rhino, in reserves far quieter than the famous parks.
Do foreigners pay more?
Yes, foreigners pay a higher fee than Indians.
When are the parks open?
Roughly from the middle of November to the middle of June, and a little earlier in recent years. They close for the monsoon. Confirm the exact dates.
Where do I book?
On the official Uttar Pradesh eco tourism portal, upecotourism.in.