Uttar Pradesh opens its doors to its famous tiger reserves ahead of schedule with simplified online booking and promoting eco-friendly tourism for local and global travellers.

Posted on November 1, 2025

Starting November 1, visitors can explore Uttar Pradesh’s tiger reserves 15 days before the usual opening of the season. The reserves will provide nature lovers in India and abroad with an unprecedented experience: the opportunity to see the state’s stunning wildlife, including Bengal tigers, elephants and swamp deer. Uttar Pradesh is currently focusing on eco-sensitive tourism through early opening of tiger reserves. Automated online bookings provide fast, easy, convenient and early bookings to protect the privacy of tiger reserves while offering eco-friendly tourism. Increased efforts at sustainable tourism in the state will encourage the development of local wildlife conservation initiatives.

In a major boost to eco-tourism, popular tiger reserves and national parks in Uttar Pradesh are opening their doors to visitors from Saturday, November 1. The start of the tourist season arrives 15 days earlier than usual, offering wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers an extended window to explore the state’s rich biodiversity.

The early opening of the parks, including four major wildlife destinations, signals a commitment to conservation and environmental education while promoting tourism growth in the region. These prime wildlife sites – Dudhwa National Park, Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and Ranipur Tiger Reserve – are home to some of India’s most endangered species and are of stunning natural beauty.

Explore wildlife in tiger reserves in Uttar Pradesh

The tiger reserves and national parks in Uttar Pradesh are among the country’s most vibrant ecosystems. Dudhwa National Park and Pilibhit Tiger Reserve feature unique wildlife and stunning landscapes. Visitors to these reserves enjoy sightings of the majestic Bengal tiger, elephants and the elusive swamp deer (Barasingha). Dudhwa also boasts of rhinos, making it an unmissable destination for safari enthusiasts.

The other reserves – Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and Ranipur Tiger Reserve – are equally important, offering rare glimpses of diverse wildlife species and the chance to immerse oneself in the tranquil surroundings of Uttar Pradesh’s forests.

Seamless safari experience with our online booking portal

In a bid to simplify the safari experience, the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department has launched a new online booking platform. The portal, which will be operational on Saturday, will allow tourists to book safaris and accommodation in advance. This move is expected to reduce the hassle of on-site bookings and ensure more efficient access to these popular destinations.

By implementing this digital upgrade, the administration aims to provide greater transparency and convenience to tourists. This initiative is expected to attract local and international visitors, providing a seamless and user-friendly booking experience for safaris and accommodations.

Tourist season and conservation efforts

The tourism window for tiger reserves in Uttar Pradesh will extend from November 1, 2025 to June 14, 2026, attracting thousands of visitors eager to experience the region’s wildlife. With this extended season, the administration expects a huge influx of domestic and international tourists, all of whom will contribute to the eco-tourism economy of the state.

To ensure a balance between tourism and environmental conservation, the Forest Department has strengthened safety measures and strengthened environmental guidelines across the parks. Tourists will be required to follow specific rules to reduce their ecological footprint and help preserve the sanctity of wildlife habitats.

Promoting sustainable tourism and local employment opportunities

In addition to protecting wildlife, tourism is expected to provide numerous benefits to local communities. The ecotourism season is expected to generate employment opportunities for local people in areas such as guiding, hospitality and handicraft sales. As part of the initiative, visitors are encouraged to practice responsible tourism by adhering to designated itineraries, avoiding the use of plastics, and respecting the natural habitats of wildlife.

The main focus remains on promoting sustainable travel, and ensuring that the beauty of the reserves and biodiversity are preserved for future generations. The focus on responsible tourism highlights the importance of not only viewing wildlife but actively contributing to its protection.

Accommodation and prices for tourists

For those planning their visit, accommodations within the parks are available at different prices to meet different preferences. At the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, for example, cottages are available for INR 5,500 per night, while the entrance fee is INR 250 per person. Safari packages range from INR 4,000 to INR 5,000 per vehicle, with smaller group safaris priced at INR 800 to INR 1,000 per person.

In the Chuka area of ​​Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, traditional Tharu huts are available for INR 5,500 per day, offering a unique experience for those who want to stay close to nature. Pilibhit safari fees are comparable to Dudhwa, ensuring an affordable and immersive wildlife experience.

Access to tiger reserves

For tourists traveling from larger cities, the road routes to the reserves are well connected, with clear directions to each park. The distance from Lucknow to Dudhwa is about 228 km, while the road from Delhi extends about 427 km, providing multiple access points for travelers coming from different directions.

Likewise, those heading to Chuka (Pilibit) can take the 260 km route from Lucknow, or opt for the 427 km route from Delhi, via Moradabad, Bareilly and Pilibhit.

A call for environmentally conscious tourism

As visitors make their way to Uttar Pradesh’s tiger reserves and national parks this season, they are being urged to be mindful of the impact their presence can have on the environment. This season is more than just the sights and sounds of nature, it is an opportunity to participate in eco-tourism that supports conservation efforts and local communities. The Forest Department hopes that the enhanced tourist season will raise awareness of the importance of preserving these natural treasures, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same beauty.

Starting November 1, visitors to India’s Uttar Pradesh state will have early access to the tiger ecotourism safari, as the state opens its tiger reserves early as part of its early tiger ecotourism safari initiatives. Domestic and international travelers to India will benefit from our streamlined online booking system.

With the opening of the tiger reserves, the state is shifting the focus from the economic benefit of tourism to the tourism benefit of environmental conservation and after safari to use the resources to uplift the tiger reserve forest community sustainably.