Jaldapara Wildlife Safari Reopens After Devastating North Bengal Floods

Jaldapara Wildlife Safari reopens.

After days of silence in the forests, the roar of jeeps and the rhythmic footsteps of elephants are once again echoing through Jaldapara National Park. The popular wildlife sanctuary in Alipurduar district of North Bengal has officially reopened its safari operations following the severe floods that swept through the region earlier this month.

Safaris Resume, But With Limitations

According to forest officials, car safaris have now resumed from Chilapata, Kodal Basti, and Salkumar Gate, allowing tourists to once again explore the lush grasslands of Jaldapara and spot its famous one-horned rhinoceroses.
Elephant safaris, one of the park’s biggest attractions, are also operational from Kodal Basti and Salkumarhat.

However, the Holong Bungalow route, a favorite among tourists for its close encounters with wildlife, remains closed. The connecting Holong Bridge was washed away in the floods, disrupting both the Holong elephant safari and the Nature Interpretation Centre (NIC) car safari.

“We inspected all major tracks before reopening. Only routes that are completely safe for tourists and animals have been allowed to operate,”
– said a senior forest officer from Jaldapara Division.


A Flood That Shook the Wild

The floods that began around October 4–5 caused extensive damage to the sanctuary and its surroundings. Overflowing rivers like the Torsa inundated forest tracks and swept away parts of the fencing and bridges.
In a dramatic turn of events, nine one-horned rhinos were reportedly washed away by the floodwaters, but were later rescued in a joint operation involving forest officials and trained kunki elephants. All rescued rhinos were safely brought back to the park between October 5 and 14.

Gradual Revival of Tourism in Dooars

With the reopening of Jaldapara, North Bengal’s tourism circuit—which includes Gorumara, Buxa, and Chilapata—is finally showing signs of recovery. The resumption of safaris is expected to bring a much-needed boost to the local tourism economy, just ahead of the festive season.

Tourists planning a visit can now book car and elephant safaris online, but are advised to check availability and current conditions before traveling. Some trails and watchtowers may remain temporarily inaccessible as repair work continues.


What’s Open and What’s Not

Open Now:

Car safaris from Chilapata, Kodal Basti, and Salkumar Gate

Elephant safaris from Kodal Basti and Salkumarhat


Still Closed:

Holong Bungalow elephant safari

NIC car safari route