Jaldapara National Park

Jaldapara National Park lies in the Dooars region of Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India, on the banks of the Torsa River, with its main base at Hollong. It protects grassland and riverine forest and is best known for the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, which is easier to see here than almost anywhere else in eastern India. The park also supports elephants, gaur, sambar, hog deer, wild boar, leopards and a good variety of birds including hornbills, peafowl and Bengal florican. Visitors tour by jeep or by elephant safari, with the two daily slots at about 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The elephant ride, taken from a platform in Hollong, takes visitors into tall grass where rhinos feed, and it often delivers the closest sightings. Jeep safaris cover longer routes along forest roads and watchtowers such as Madarihat and Chilapata sites. A full visit takes a day or an overnight stay at the Hollong forest lodge or private resorts. The park is closed during the monsoon, from about June to mid-September, and the best season is November to March, when the grass is lower and wildlife is easier to see. Entry fees are approximately INR 250 for Indian nationals and INR 1,000 for foreign visitors, with separate charges for jeeps and elephant rides and a camera fee. Safaris should be booked in advance with the forest department, especially for winter weekends and the Christmas and New Year holidays. Weekdays are calmer. Hasimara is the nearest railway station, with road transfers to Hollong, while Madarihat is also used. Mornings offer the best chance for wildlife, and the park can be cool and misty in winter.