A state lavished with lively culture, diverse landscapes, and rich biodiversity, West Bengal is one of the best states in the country to fill your travel wish list. From the tail of the hills to nature's elegance, this state sure has many places to offer.
If nature attracts you the most and you are planning to visit West Bengal pretty soon, then do not skip the national parks and reserved forests of Bengal. Read on to get a quick look at the reserved forests and national parks of Bengal.
4 best National Parks in West Bengal:
1. Jaldapara National Park
Jaldapara National Park is one of the most admired national parks in Bengal, located on the Torsa River bank. The most thrilling activity is that you can enjoy an elephant safari here! And not only that, this park is the home of one-horned rhinoceros in the state. Isn’t it amazing? This is the reason why this park comes first on the list of national parks in West Bengal.
Therefore, if you are planning to go there, do not miss the chance to experience the royalty of the elephant safari. We also recommend taking a jeep safari to wander through the park.
What's more? While you are on your safari, you can also catch sight of a variety of flora and fauna. And if you are lucky enough, then you might also catch sight of rare species of birds, like Bengal florican.
- Best time to visit: The park is open to visitors from September to June. However, November to February is the best time to spot wildlife.
- How to reach: The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport which is well connected to most major cities. From the airport you can book a cab or taxi to reach the park. The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. From the railway station you can take a taxi or bus to reach the park.
2. Gorumara National Park
Doors is known for its wildlife adventures, and Gorumara National Park is the “ruby” in the crown of Dooars. The forests of Gorumara are abundant in biodiversity and give you the chance for animal glimpses.
Gorumara National Park is located in the Jalpaiguri district. The Murti River is bound to its east and the Neora River to its west. In the last few years, Gorumara National Park has gained massive admiration, and now this region has the largest concentration of tourism and resorts in North Bengal.
Jungle Safari is the most popular tourist attraction here, which is usually held during the early morning to late afternoon timespan. During the safari, you can spot various animals, like elephants, Indian bison, rhinos, and others.
- Best time to visit: The park is open for visitors from October to June, and remains closed from June 15 to September 15. The best time to visit the park is from November to March.
- How to reach: The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport. From the airport you can book a cab or taxi to reach the park. The nearest railway station is Malbazar which is just 45 minutes away from the park. You can also opt for New Jalpaiguri Railway Station which is at a distance of 2 hours from the park. From the railway station you can take a taxi or bus to reach the park.
3. Buxa Tiger Reserve
Buxa Tiger Reserve is one of the top tiger reserves in India. It is situated along the India-Bhutan border. If you love wildlife and want to spend some time in tranquility, then do not miss the chance to visit this forest reserve.
The opaque greenery and surrounding hills together create a serene ambiance. Along with tigers, you can spot some rare species of migratory birds, like white-eyed pochard, common teal, and gargani teal.
Hold on! Did we mention the orchids? You can actually catch sight of a wide range of orchids here. You will be captivated after catching your first glance at it. This forest reserve has 8 different forests to explore, that is to say, keep time in your hands when you visit it.
- Best time to visit: October to April
- How to reach: The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport. From the airport you can book a cab to reach the park. The nearest railway station is Alipurduar Junction or New Alipurduar Station. From the station you have to book a car to the park.
4. Sundarban National Park
The list of the best national parks in Bengal will be incomplete if we do not add Sundarban National Park. Sundarban is worldwide famous for being a tiger reserve and biosphere reserve. The main tourist attraction here is, of course, the Royal Bengal Tiger.
However, to spot the rare sight of the Royal Bengal Tiger, you might need a little luck. Do you know what makes it more adventurous? You have to travel through the Sundarbans National Park on a boat.
Just imagine sailing on the Ganges while gazing at the wild beauty of this park, and spotting various animals. It’s thrilling!
- Best time to visit: October to March
- How to reach: The nearest airport is Netaji Subhash International Airport. After reaching Kolkata, you have to take the road or train route. The nearest railway station is Canning. Various local trains are available from Sealdah Railway Station (Kolkata) to Canning.
So these are the best national parks in West Bengal. To sum up, if wildlife captivates you the most and if you really want to spend some time away from the city of chaos, then you should definitely consider visiting these destinations.
