Jaldapara National Park: North Bengal's Best-Kept Secret

 # ???? Jaldapara National Park: North Bengal's Best-Kept Secret


Situated in the lush scenery of northern West Bengal, **Jaldapara National Park** is a sanctuary for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Covering an area of 216 square kilometers, this park is famous for its incredible biodiversity, particularly its robust Indian one-horned rhinoceros population.([Discover Darjeeling][1])


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## ???? A Sanctuary of Biodiversity


### ???? The Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros


Jaldapara has the second-largest number of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros in India, after Assam's Kaziranga National Park. From just 14 rhinos in 1985, the numbers have grown to 292 by 2022 due to concerted conservation efforts.([Discover Darjeeling][1], [Roundglass Wildlife][2])


### ???? Diverse Wildlife


Apart from rhinos, the park has a range of mammals, including:


* **Indian elephants**

* **Indian leopards**

* **Sambar deer**

* **Barking deer**

* **Chital (spotted deer)**

* **Hog deer**

* **Gaur (Indian bison)**([North Bengal Tourism][3], [Study IQ Education][4], [Discover Darjeeling][1])


The terrain of the park is largely savannah, set with tall elephant grasses, punctuated by riverine forests and floodplains of the Torsa River.([Wild Bengal][5])


### ???? Avian Wonders


Bird enthusiasts will be in heaven here, with more than 240 species documented. Some notable sightings are:


* **Bengal Florican**

* **Pallas's Fishing Eagle**

* **Crested Eagle**

* **Great Pied Hornbill**

* **Lesser Adjutant Stork**

* **White-Rumped Vulture**([North Bengal Tourism][3], [Kolkata Tourism][6])


The park's varied habitat nurtures an enormous variety of birds, thus proving to be an ornithologists' and nature photographers' haven.


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## ???? How to Reach


* **By Air**: The airport nearest to the park is **Bagdogra**, which lies some 124 km away.([Wild Bengal][5])

* **By Train**: The railway station nearest to the park is **Madarihat**, just 7 km away from it. Some of the nearby railway stations are **Hasimara** and **Birpara**, both situated around 20 km away.([Wild Bengal][5])


* **By Road**: Jaldapara is easily accessible by road. From Siliguri, it's a 3-hour drive. Private taxis, buses, and shared jeeps are easily found.([Wild Bengal][5], [www.touristplaces.net.in][7]) 


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## ????️ Where to Stay


The West Bengal Forest Development Corporation (WBFDC) has several lodges close to the park:


* **Jaldapara Tourist Lodge**: At Madarihat, with 22 double-bedded rooms and a 13-bedded dorm. Rooms cost from ₹1,000 per night (with meals).([Wild Bengal][5])


* **Hollong Tourist Lodge**: Similarly in Madarihat, with seven double bedded rooms. The cost of rooms is ₹1,000 per night, while meals cost extra .


The lodges offer a raw experience, where guests get to soak in nature around them.


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## ???? Things to Do


### ???? Elephant Safari


One of the highlights of any tour is the **elephant safari**, which provides a close-up glimpse of the park's vegetation and wildlife. The safari is conducted during early morning and late afternoon and offers the chances of seeing rhinos, deer, and other birds.


### ???? Jeep Safari


If one desires to explore more extensively, the **jeep safari** explores wider sections of the park and enables one to cross varied landscapes and enhance their chances of sighting wildlife.


### ????️ Bird Watching


Being home to a variety of habitats, Jaldapara is a paradise for birdwatchers. Binoculars and a guide in hand, tourists can spot scores of birds in their natural habitat. ([Wild Bengal][5], [North Bengal Tourism][3])


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## ???? Best Time to Visit


The best period to visit Jaldapara National Park is from **October to March** when the weather is mild and wildlife encounters occur more often. The park closes during the monsoon season, from **June to September**, because of extensive rainfall.([www.touristplaces.net.in][7])


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## ???? Weather Update


As of May 6, 2025, the weather in Alipurduar is partly sunny with a high of 92°F (34°C). The coming days are expected to be warm, with temperatures reaching up to 92°F (34°C). Travelers are advised to stay hydrated and take necessary precautions against the heat.


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## ???? Final Thoughts


Jaldapara National Park provides a rare combination of rich biodiversity, peaceful landscapes, and experiential wildlife encounters. If you are a bird enthusiast, a wildlife lover, or just someone looking for peace in the midst of nature, Jaldapara has an experience to remember. Its close proximity to other tourist attractions such as the Chilapata Forests and the Buxa Tiger Reserve makes it an ideal addition to any North Bengal itinerary.([Discover Darjeeling][1])


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