Dudhwa Tiger Reserve lies in the Terai grasslands of Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district, on the Nepal border, a mix of sal forest, vast meadows, wetlands and the Sharda river. It remains one of India’s best-kept wild secrets, home to tigers, reintroduced one-horned rhinos and the world’s largest population of swamp deer, the barasingha.
The park is open from November to June and closes during the monsoon, July to October. November to March is pleasant, while summer improves the chances of a sighting. Daily entries are limited, so booking ahead matters.
The reserve spans several areas: Dudhwa for tigers, Kishanpur for rhino and barasingha, Katarniaghat for gharial and dolphins, and Sathiana.
Lucknow airport is around 220 km away, while the railheads at Dudhwa and Palia Kalan are very close, with road access from Lucknow or Bareilly.
New shared safaris coming soon.
Dudhwa holds Bengal tiger, the reintroduced one-horned rhino — the only place in northern India — and the world's largest population of swamp deer, or barasingha, along with leopard, sloth bear, wild elephant and gharial.
Morning and afternoon jeep safaris run from roughly 6:30 to 10:30 AM and 2:30 to 6 PM. Permits are limited and issued first-come.