Dooars always excites us with its lush green forests, sprawling tea gardens, several National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries, numerous mountain streams, and of course, the beautiful views of the Himalayas forming the backdrop. Apart from these different kinds of safaris like forest safari, jeep safaris, elephant safaris, birdwatching add to the tourist excitements.
GORUMARA NATIONAL PARK
Gorumara Elephant Safari:
Elephant safari is one of the shuddering experiences that Gorumara National Park has to propose to its tourists. Gorumara Eco Village (Kalipur), Gorumara Rhino Camp (Ramsai), and Gorumara Elephant Camp (Dhupjhora) all offer elephant safaris. Elephant safari is the best ways to spot wildlife at Gorumara National Park. One can have the unique experience of feeding the elephants of the forest department. Tourists get a glimpse of the dense forest by riding on elephants. Tourists get thrilling experiences by crossing the Murti River and entering the Gorumara range riding on them. Tourists can book cottages through the divisional forest department’s office ‘AranyaBhaban’ in Jalpaiguri.
Elephant Safari Fees:
Rs. 600 per head
Elephant Safari Booking procedure
To book your safari in advance, you have to go to the WBSFDA website and choose Elephant safari in the Gorumara section. The other ways to book your safari is to book Gorumara Rhino camp (Ramsai), Gorumara Eco Village (Kalipur), Gorumara Elephant Camp (Dhupjhora), and you would be able to avail yourself the ticket for Elephant safari.
Gorumara Jeep Safari
Other than elephant safari, another way to discover the beauty of this dense forest is the Jeep safari. There are three watchtowers to explore via these jeep safaris. Jatraprasad Watchtower, Medla Watchtower and Chukchuki watchtower. Tourists can enjoy the experience by following a particular timing given below –
| Morning Afternoon | ||||||
| 6 am to 8 am 1:30 pm to 3 pm | ||||||
| 8 am to 10 am 3 pm to 5 pm |
Jeep Safari Fees
| Watchtower 1st shift 2nd shift 3rd shift 4th Shift | ||||
| Jatraprasad 120 120 120 160 | ||||
| Chandrachur 120 120 70 120 | ||||
| Medla 120 120 120 120 | ||||
| Chapramari 70 70 70 120 | ||||
| Chukchuki 70 70 70 120 |
| Watchtower 1st shift 2nd shift 3rd shift 4th Shift | ||||
| Jatraprasad 930 930 930 930 | ||||
| Chandrachur 930 930 930 930 | ||||
| Medla 930 930 930 930 | ||||
| Chapramari 1080 1080 1080 1290 | ||||
| Chukchuki 690 690 690 690 |
GUIDE CHARGES PER GYPSY: Rs.150 per Gypsy
GYPSY ENTRY FEES: Rs.100 per Gypsy
VIDEO CAMERA: Rs.200 per camera
Jeep Safari Booking Procedure:
To book your safari in advance, you have to go to the WBSFDA website and choose one of the three jeep safaris in the Gorumara section. The other ways to book your safari is from the Gorumara Safari booking center. You have to submit the advance amount and a photocopy of your id the day before.
Jaldapara National Park
Jaldapara Elephant Safari
Elephant safari, as the word is more thrilling and adventurous. Jaldapara national park is unique. People specially come here to ride elephants; the local guides guide them, and they enjoy an enchanting ride amidst the vast forest. Elephant ride has become famous and a perfect attraction for tourists in Jaldapara, mostly this forest is renowned for its Eco-friendly and eco-tourism approach. Jaldapara Elephant safari takes place in the morning hours and starts at the Hollong Lodge of WBFDC. As the safari starts early in the morning, you need to arrange for the tickets the day before from the authorized ticket counters. These safaris are done by the staff of the Forest Department on trained elephants.
Timing
6am to 7am
7am to 8am
8am to 9am
Elephant Safari Fees
Entry fee: Rs.50 per person.
Elephant ride: Rs.500 per person.
Elephant ride booking procedure
To book your safari, you have to deposit a copy of your ID and the fees at Jaldapara Forest Gate the evening before. The booking procedure can be tricky since the tourists staying at the Hollong Tourist Lodge gets the preference and then the tourists of Jaldapara Tourism Property (Aranya). Then the remaining slots are given to the tourists of private hotels.
Jaldapara Jeep Safari
Although the Elephant safari is the most attractive things to do at Jaldapara, Jeep Safari is just as good. Unfortunately, West Bengal Forest Department does not permit the operation of any private vehicles for safari. However, some Gypsy vehicles are designated to use in Jeep Safaris in Jaldapara National Park. It takes you to the midst of the forest among the rich wildlife of Jaldapara.
| Morning | ||||||
| 6 am to 8 am | ||||||
| 8 am to 10 am |
Jeep Safari Fees
Rs. 2500 per Jeep (4 People)
Jeep Safari Booking Procedure
The most straightforward procedure is to ask your hotel manager in advance for a jeep. If not, then book yourself the evening before at the counter. Otherwise, go to the WBSFDA website. Go to the safari Section. Choose Jaldapara Safari and pick either Salkumar or Madarihat (Preferred) to book your safari online.
Chapramari Forest
Jeep Safari
The best way to feel the beauty of the forest is to have a jungle safari and watchtower visit, which increases ample opportunity to find wild animals and various colourful birds. Chapramari forest safari is one of the most popular and attractive tourist activities for the Dooars-lovers.
Here, the forest department generally offers jeep safaris that include entry permit, guide, and vehicle. There are limited numbers of jeeps in each time slot. The tourists must carry their ID proof and photocopy at the Gorumara check post for permission. Another way to book it is to book Chapramari Wilderness Camp (Panjhora) through the WBSFDA website and get entry permission and Safari permission to Chapramari forest free with it.
There is always colossal scope to see elephants, bison, and deer on the forest route. Chapramari is blessed with a fantastic ecology. Varieties of migratory birds and animals always enhance their beauty. The watchtower on the Murti River is the prime attraction that allows visitors to experience wild elephants in their natural habitat with wild boars, deer, gaur, and sambar.
Chilapata Forest
Chilapata Jeep Safari
You can experience wilderness in the dense forest of Chilapata during the jungle safari. It also allows you to witness the historical ruins of the fort, built in the Gupta Era during the fifteenth century. There are 2 Jungle safaris here, One at Kodalbasti and the other on the other side at Uttar Chakoaheti.
Jeep Safari Fare:
Kodalbasti Safari: Rs.2400-3000 (4-6 people)
Uttar Chakoaheti: Rs. Rs.2000-2500 (4-6 people)
Jeep Safari Booking procedure:
Book your safari at either the Kodalbasti Check post or at Uttar Chakoaheti Check post. Or book online at the WBSFDA website.
| Slot Timings | |
| 1st Slot 5.30 am to 7.00 am | |
| 2nd Slot 7.30 am to 9.00 am | |
| 3rd Slot 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm | |
| 4th Slot 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm |
Chilapata Elephant Safari
Chilapata Wildlife Sanctuary is the most crucial migration corridor of large herbivores such as One-Horned Rhinos and Asiatic Elephants. It is one of the famous tourist attraction areas in North Bengal. An Elephant Safari is a new experience that offers a newfound appreciation of elephants, providing a more personal and deeper understanding. There are lots of in and around tourist attraction areas where they can go through elephant safari.
Elephant riding towards Mendabari watchtower and KodalBasti forest is fascinating. one can get an opportunity to see several trained elephants, rhino, and species of birds, tall grass area for photography, and many more. Elephant riding towards KodalBasti forest is also an adventurous tourist spot where you can go deep inside the forest to see the magnificent forest area.
Elephant Safari Fare:
Rs.500 per head
Elephant Safari Booking procedure:
Book Mendabari Jungle Camp via the WBSFDA website, and the elephant safari booking will be facilitated for you by the forest department.
Buxa Tiger Reserve
Jayanti Core Forest Safari
West Bengal forest Departments and its staffs maintain this safari. It starts from Jayanti and takes you to the core of the Buxa tiger reserve. The first stop is the Bala River which is also a place where the bison prefers to spend their morning and afternoon routines. The route to the Bala River is one of the densest areas. There is a huge chance of encountering barking deers, leopard or elephants on the way. The second spot is the Jayanti River in the core. This is the elephant corridor but the proximity of seeing other elephants and birds are also high. Jayanti Core is also a paradise for birdwatchers and butterfly lovers.
Jayanti Safari Fee
Rs. 1500 (with guide) for 4 people plus entry ticket.
Chunia Basti & Bhutia Basti Safari
Chunia basti and bhutia basti are two watchtowers on the other side of the Jayanti River. This place is an elephant corridor and people generally go there to see the herd of elephants. Scenically this is also the most beautiful areas of the forest because it is just beneath the Bhutan hills and covered by the streams of Jayanti River. People who comes for birding and butterfly research comes here.
Chunia Basti & Bhutia Basti Fee
Rs. 1200 for 6 people and guide.
Rajabhatkhawa Forest Safari
Rajabhatkhawa safari takes place near the Rajabhatkhawa gate. It enters the Buxa tiger reserve from the gate and travels towards the core. Bison and Elephants are often seen in these regions.
Rajabhatkhawa Safari Fee
Rs. 1800 (with guide) for 4 people plus entry ticket.
Booking Procedure:
The best way to book your safaris at Jayanti and Chunia Basti is by booking it in advance through the resort owners. The availability of Jayanti Core Safari is very less, hence you must book this in advance. Chunia Basti and Bhutia Basti safari jeeps are still abundant and can be availed on spot. Rajabhatkhawa Safari has to be booked at the Buxa tiger reserve ticket counter near Rajabhatkhawa Nature Interpretation Center.
It is mandatory to purchase the ticket for entering Buxa Tiger Reserve to avail the Safaris. One can get the entry tickets from the same ticket counter at Rajabhatkhawa.
Ticket fare per person is Rs.120 and per Car is Rs.400.
