Visit Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh: Abode of the Royal Bengal Tigers (2024)
About Dudhwa National Park
Dudhwa national park is located at the Lakhimpur and Kheri districts of Uttar Pradesh, one of India’s famous national parks at the borderlands of Uttar Pradesh. A tiger reserve and a national park located at two nearby districts are a prime tourist hub of Northern Uttar Pradesh. Dudhwa national park is one of the most protected and reserved areas of the state where you can spot a lot of wildlife.
Dudhwa national park is home to several endangered and obligate species spread over India and Nepal’s borders. Dudhwa is also one of the oldest tiger reserves of India and established in 1879. It underwent a lot of changes in the coming years and became a wildlife sanctuary in 1958. The area was a significant hub of tigers, and hence it became a part of Project Tiger in the year 1987.
Apart from tigers, the swamp deer, hog deer, sloth bear, jackal, and most importantly, the Barasingha fall among the species and wildlife commonly spotted in the Dudhwa national park. It also combines the area of Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary to form the complete Dudhwa national park.
Unlike these animals, Dudhwa national park in Uttar Pradesh is also home to several birds, and especially migratory birds visit the national park during winters. From commonly found birds to the rarest species, the white-rumped vulture can be sighted in the Dudhwa national park.
Best Places and Activities of Interest in Dudhwa National Park
Dudhwa national park has a variety of adventures to offer and a lot of wildlife sightings and activities for the tourists visiting Uttar Pradesh. The thick forests with abundant wildlife are itself a great experience to ride on. Let’s look at some of the best places and activities of interest in Dudhwa national park.
1. Kishanpur Wildlife Reserve
Kishanpur wildlife reserve is one of the best parts of Dudhwa national park, which is full of dense forests and fields. Dudhwa national park is the primary hub of the great royal Bengal tiger, and you can most probably spot one easily when you enter the Kishanpur wildlife reserve. The safari through the woods of the kishanpur wildlife reserve is a heavenly experience coated by the sightings of various wildlife. There is a massive watchtower at the heart of the reserve. It gives a mesmerizing view of the forest on the foothills of the great Himalayas.
2. Kataraniaghat Boat Safari
Dudhwa national park is located on the banks of two major rivers of Sharda and Geruwa. A boat safari from Kataraniaghat will take you to explore the abundant aquatic life, including the Indo-Gangetic dolphin and many other species on the banks of the river. The surrounded trees form great scenic beauty for the boat ride, a major highlight of the Kataraniaghat zone of Dudhwa national park. 
3. Dudhwa National Park Elephant Safari
An elephant safari through the thick forests of Dudhwa national park can spot more than 30 different species, including the rarest ones like the one-horned rhino and the Barasingha. It is also home to more than 500 varieties of birds and countless trees, which will provide you with the best jungle safari experience.
How to Reach Dudhwa National Park?
Dudhwa national park is located at the border towns of Lakhimpur and Kheri on the Indo-Nepal border. There are different convenient modes of transport to reach Dudhwa, which you can pick accordingly. Let’s explore some of the best options to reach Dudhwa by various means of transportation. 
By Road: Unfortunately, Dudhwa is not connected to any of the cities except Palia, the nearest one. So the tourists have to reach Palia first and then use local or private transport to enter Dudhwa national park. There are also several bus services running between Dudhwa and Palia.
By Rail: Dudhwa national park is connected via three major railway stations which are Dudhwa, Mailani, and the junction at Palia. Several local transport services are available to travel from these stations to the Dudhwa national park.
By Air: The Chaudhary Charan Singh airport of Lucknow is the nearest airport to the Dudhwa national park. It is approximately 191 km away from the prime location of Dudhwa national park. Moreover, the airport of Lucknow connects almost all the major cities of India.
Food and Cuisine To Explore Around Dudhwa National Park
There is going to be nothing more satisfying than a great meal after an adventurous safari through the woods of Dudhwa national park. If you are wondering where to find some great restaurants in an area like this, don’t worry as we have you covered. Here are some best restaurants you can try out in Dudhwa.
1. Cockpit Café and Restaurant
The cockpit café and restaurant located at the Nepal border are a great choice to rest and hang out with delicious food. Cockpit Cafe and Restaurant is a mid-range restaurant and a beautiful, fast food place offering different varieties of Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian food. The interiors are attractive with a modern outlook. The outdoor seating facilities are also available for the guests.
2. Hotel Rhino
Another major restaurant is located at the Nepal border town of Dhangadhi, which provides some excellent breakfast and brunches. Hotel Rhino is more like a traditional hotel with more dishes and meal varieties. It is also one of the most affordable hotels serving great food in this entire locality.
3. Roadhouse Café
You will find many restaurants in the border town of Dhangadhi where the tourists usually hang out after the safari. Roadhouse café is one of the most preferred food places here well known for its varieties of fast food. They serve both meals and dishes and also some wide varieties of fast foods and combos.
Shopping Options Near Dudhwa National Park
There are some significant marketplaces you may love to visit nearby Dudhwa national park for the tourists. Other than those, you can visit some actual marketplaces too, to satisfy your cravings. Here are some of such markets.
Dharamveer Market of Shahjahanpur is a famous market near Dhudhwa national park. Unlike the other small markets near Dudhwa, the Dharamveer market has an extensive range of goods and shops of all kinds.
Naya Bazar of Shahjahanpur is also a significant shopping site that you can drop in on the way to Dhudhwa or during your return trip.
Conclusion
When you are an adventurer or a wildlife enthusiast, then Dudhwa national park should be a part of your bucket list of the places you want to visit. The winters are the best season to visit the national park, so plan your trip when it is safe to travel again.
