Dhaka · 10 Places · Best November to February
Gazipur is the industrial and forest district immediately north of Dhaka, home to Bhawal National Park, the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, Nuhash Polli and a belt of weekend resorts.
Gazipur sits on the old Bhawal estate, a sal-forest plateau north of Dhaka. Joydebpur is the historic town centre and railway junction, Gazipur Chowrasta is the commercial crossing, and Bhawal National Park, the Safari Park and Nuhash Polli make it the most popular day-trip destination from Dhaka. Resorts around Bhawal Mirzapur and Sreepur sell day and overnight packages.
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
The 10 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
A sal-forest national park of about 5,022 ha (core area about 940 ha) north of Gazipur city, declared in 1982. Visitors walk forest paths and picnic under sal trees; monkeys, foxes, wild boar, mongooses and birds live in the park. Wildlife is modest compared with the old tiger-and-elephant forest, so the draw is shade, birdsong and a day out of Dhaka.
A drive-through safari park in Sreepur with lions, tigers, zebras, deer and other animals viewed from a park bus, plus a bird park, butterfly garden, reptile house, picnic area and children's playground. The Gazipur park is the one near Dhaka; the Cox's Bazar park shares the name.
The farmhouse of the late writer Humayun Ahmed in Pirujali village, with ponds, bridges, cottages, paintings and sculptures set in a garden. Fans of Bangladeshi literature and film visit the grounds.
The seat of the Bhawal zamindar estate in Joydebpur. The historic palace area is now largely a public ground and institutional complex, but it remains the heritage heart of Joydebpur and the origin of the 'Bhawal' name used across the district.
A Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation resort and picnic area opened in 2022 on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway at Dakshin Salna, with cottages, a restaurant and two picnic spots opposite Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University.
A large, green campus on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway at Board Bazar that is described as open for visits. It suits a short, quiet walk rather than a full outing.
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Villa resort with a pool and spa, reported as 61-62 cottages and about 50 km from Dhaka; the nearest upscale option to the Safari Park.
Check rates on Booking.comPremium resort within the historic Bhawal Rajbari estate, about 1.5 hours from Dhaka, with a restaurant serving Bangladeshi and international dishes.
Check rates on Booking.comEco-cottage resort near Bhawal National Park with a pool, boat rides and fishing.
Check rates on Booking.comMid-budget resort with a pool and bungalows, popular for day packages and overnight family stays.
Check rates on Booking.comCafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Old local favourite on Mosjid Road near Joydebpur Chowrasta serving grilled dishes, naan, halim, biryani and sweets; reviewers note crowds at peak times.
About 41 years old by one blogger's account, east of Joydebpur Railway Station in front of the Pauro Market; known for khasir paya (goat trotters), halim and tandoori-style chicken, plus Chinese dishes.
Beef cooked in clay pots served with khichdi, pulao and biryani; reported open daily 9AM-11PM.
Family and group restaurant with Chinese food; older reviews call prices high for quality, so check recent reviews.
Biryani house on Tangail Road at Chawrasta, rated about 4.2 on Foodpanda from 200+ reviews.
At the Chawrasta crossing on Dhaka Road; menu includes beef kacchi at about Tk 170 (approx $1.4) and roast polao at about Tk 150 (approx $1.2).
Reach Gazipur by BRT, bus, train or car from Dhaka.
Daily spend by tier in BDT, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Tk 800-2,500 (approx $7-20) | Tk 4,300-8,600 (approx $35-70) | Tk 11,000-19,000 (approx $90-155) |
| Food (per day) | Tk 500-800 (approx $4-6.5) | Tk 1,000-2,000 (approx $8-16) | Tk 2,500-5,000 (approx $20-41) |
| Transportation | Tk 300-600 (approx $2.5-5) | Tk 1,000-2,500 (approx $8-20) | Tk 3,000-6,000 (approx $24-49) |
| Activities | Tk 100-500 (approx $1-4) | Tk 300-1,000 (approx $2.5-8) | Tk 1,000-3,000 (approx $8-24) |
| Daily total | Tk 1,800-3,000 (approx $15-24) | Tk 6,000-12,000 (approx $49-98) | Tk 15,000-30,000 (approx $122-245) |
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Dhaka.
November-February is cool and dry (about 12-27 C), ideal for forest walks and the Safari Park.
Friday and Saturday are the weekend and the parks are packed.
Avoid forest paths and rural roads after dark
Use Uber/Pathao or pre-agreed fares for CNG auto-rickshaws
Keep phones and wallets out of sight on buses and at Gazipur Chowrasta
Avoid political rallies and hartal days; roads may close at short notice
Drink only sealed bottled or filtered water
Do not feed or tease monkeys in Bhawal National Park
Carry a photocopy of the passport and keep the original at the hotel
Photograph no military sites; the Rajendrapur Cantonment and ordnance factory areas are sensitive
Dress modestly to avoid unwanted attention
Expect heavy traffic on the highway and allow extra time for Dhaka returns
Most foreign visitors need a Bangladesh visa; apply through the official e-visa portal or an embassy.
Yes. Bhawal National Park, the Safari Park and Nuhash Polli can each be done as a full-day outing, though traffic means 1.5-3 hours each way.
