Gorumara National Park

Gorumara National Park is a compact protected forest in the Dooars region near Lataguri in Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, India, at the foothills of the eastern Himalaya. Set between the Murti and Jaldhaka rivers, it covers grassland and dense sal forest and is known for the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, along with Asian elephants, gaur, sambar, leopards and many birds, including hornbills and peafowl. Visitors explore by jeep safari on forest roads and from watchtowers such as Jatraprasad and Chukchuki, which overlook waterholes and salt licks where animals gather, especially in the late afternoon. Safari slots run at about 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM, and the park is closed during the monsoon from June to mid-September. A visit usually takes a day, or an overnight stay at Lataguri, where many resorts and lodges are available, and the Chapramari wildlife sanctuary nearby can be added. The best season is November to March, when the weather is cool and the vegetation thinner. Entry fees are approximately INR 200 for Indian nationals and INR 700 for foreign visitors, with separate costs for the compulsory jeep, a guide and a camera fee. Bookings are made through the forest department or local operators, and winter weekends sell out. Weekdays are quieter. Visitors should stay in the jeep, keep noise down and avoid bright clothing. Trains reach New Mal or New Jalpaiguri stations, followed by a road transfer of about one to three hours. Dawn is the best time for animal activity, while evenings from the watchtowers give atmospheric views over the plain.