Dudhwa itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Dudhwa

1. 01

   Day 1: One safari and a gentle afternoon

   A single day is tight because of the distance, so start from a lodge near the gates if you can. Take the morning safari in Dudhwa National Park or the Kishanpur zone, focusing on grassland and water for swamp deer and birds. Return for lunch and a rest. In the afternoon, either take a second short drive or visit a Tharu village with a local guide, asking permission before photographing. Confirm permits and season dates before you travel.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Dudhwa National Park	Two to three safaris; most visitors stay two nights	Easy	Mid-November to March for comfort; April to early June for sightings at shrinking waterholes, but it is hot

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

Plan 02

2 days in Dudhwa

1. 01

   Day 1: Dudhwa National Park

   Arrive the evening before or early in the morning. Take the dawn safari in the national park, ask the guide to prioritise the swamp deer grassland, and stop at Banke Tal for birds and the watchtower. Rest through midday. In the afternoon, try the rhino area if your permit covers it. Read about Billy Arjan Singh in the evening.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Dudhwa National Park	Two to three safaris; most visitors stay two nights	Easy	Mid-November to March for comfort; April to early June for sightings at shrinking waterholes, but it is hot
   Banke Tal	30 to 60 minutes as a stop within a safari	Moderate	Early morning or late afternoon in the dry months

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Banke Tal: Reaching the watchtower involves stairs and little shade, so it suits those who manage steps. Others can look from the vehicle where the guide permits. Check current tower access before you go.

2. 02

   Day 2: Kishanpur and a village visit

   Take a morning safari in the Kishanpur zone, which has its own gate and a good record for tigers and open views of Jhadi Tal. After lunch, arrange a respectful visit to a Tharu village through your lodge. Leave early the next morning or overnight before the long drive back.

Plan 03

3 days in Dudhwa

1. 01

   Day 1: Dudhwa National Park

   Reach your lodge and rest. Take an afternoon safari towards Banke Tal and the swamp deer grassland, ending as the light fades. Keep the evening quiet.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Dudhwa National Park	Two to three safaris; most visitors stay two nights	Easy	Mid-November to March for comfort; April to early June for sightings at shrinking waterholes, but it is hot
   Banke Tal	30 to 60 minutes as a stop within a safari	Moderate	Early morning or late afternoon in the dry months

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Banke Tal: Reaching the watchtower involves stairs and little shade, so it suits those who manage steps. Others can look from the vehicle where the guide permits. Check current tower access before you go.

2. 02

   Day 2: Rhinos and grassland, then Kishanpur

   Take the dawn drive to the rhino area if available, then rest. In the afternoon, enter the Kishanpur zone for open landscape and lakeside birds.

3. 03

   Day 3: Culture or a second reserve

   Visit a Tharu village in the morning with a local guide. On the drive out, stop at Frog Temple in Oel or Gola Gokarannath temple if travelling via Lakhimpur. If you have extra time, spend a separate day at Katarniaghat or Pilibhit Tiger Reserve.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Gola Gokarannath Temple	One to two hours	Easy	Morning outside festival periods
   Pilibhit Tiger Reserve	One to two safaris; overnight if combining	Easy	Cooler months; confirm season and gate details with the reserve

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Dudhwa trip for parents and children

• Book a lodge close to the gate you will use most; early starts are the hardest part for older travellers.
• Bring warm layers, a scarf, gloves and a cushion for winter dawn drives; vehicles are open and the tracks are rough.
• Safaris are seated, but the tracks are dusty and bumpy; pace them with a rest between morning and afternoon drives.
• Facilities inside the park are basic. Carry water, snacks, medicines and a small first-aid kit.
• Plan the long road transfer from Lucknow or Bareilly with a break, and avoid arriving after dark on rural roads.
• Choose a lodge that can arrange permits and confirm access, steps and bathrooms before booking.

Dudhwa with elderly parents: the full guide →