Gorumara National Park is a natural splendour which is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas in the Dooars region of the West Bengal. This park is endowed with thick forests, wild flora and fauna and especially Indian Rhinoceros. It is located beside River Murti and Raidak and was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1949 and national park in 1992 and as the best among the protected areas in India in 2009. If you are a wildlife lover and have not planned your itinerary for this amazing national park then do plan it as soon as possible for a thrilling wildlife experience.
Best time to visit:
Gorumara National Park remains open every year from June to October every year whereas it stays closed from 15th June to 15th September due to monsoon and animal breeding season. The best time to visit the National Park is during the months from November to March. The surrounding looks luxuriant and fresh and it is a great time too for spotting wildlife.
Visiting hours and entry fees for Gorumara National Park:
Visiting hours: Gorumara National Park is open all days of the week except Thursdays from 6 am to 5 pm. There are 4 shifts available for safari in the park and watchtower visit:
| Safari and watchtower schedule | Timings |
| 1st Shift | 06:30 am to 8:00 am |
| 2nd Shift | 9:00 am to 10:30 am |
| 3rd Shift | 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm |
| 4th Shift | 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm |
Entrance Charges:
For the shifts of the three watchtowers such as Jatraprashad, Chapramari, Media, and also for the jeep safari, there are different entry charges.
- Jeep Safari: INR 220
- Jatraprashad watchtower entry tickets:
First three shifts- INR 120 Fourth shift- INR 160
- Chapramari watchtower entry tickets:
First three shifts- INR 70 Fourth shift- INR 120
- Media watchtower entry tickets:
For all the four shifts- INR 120
How to reach:
This national park is located 72 kilometers from Siliguri and takes about 2 hours to reach. Roads are in good condition and one can easily drive from these places. But there is a route from which it will be easy to reach Gorumara National Park which is mentioned below for your convenience.
- From the station turn left-right-left
- Continue onto VIP Road
- Then turn right to the Eastern Bypass
- Turn left at Gora More Hardware
- Then continue to Sahudangi Road-Ambari Road
- Turn left to Ambari-Belakoba Road
- Turn right from Belakoba Road towards Rangdhamali Main Road
- Then turn right and left at Goshala More onto NH27
- Later continue at left onto Teesta Bridge-Singimari Bypass
- Then turn right to left and again leave onto NH717
- Finally, reach Gorumara National Park
NJP to Gorumara car fare:
Avail NJP to Gorumara car rental service for a smooth and comfortable trip. The costs are given below-
| NJP/Bagdogra to Gorumara | Fare |
| Small Car | 1,800 |
| Sumo | 2,400 |
| Travera/Scorpio | 2,700 |
| Innova | 3,000 |
| Mini Coach | 5,500 |
Things to do and see in Gorumara National Park:
It is a wildlife park but there are many exciting things to do to have an enjoyable weekend at the National park.
Flora and Fauna:
Flora: Gorumara National Park is characterized by tropical deciduous forests and the commonly seen tree is sal. Other types of flora are Simul, Teak, Siris, Khair and can also spot bamboo groves and riverine grasslands. Fauna: This national park is known to be the habitat of Indian Rhinoceros. Along with it, you can also see Asian Elephant, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Hog Deer, etc. It is also home to few species of poisonous snakes like Python and King Cobra. Almost 300 species of birds are found in this forest like Asian paradise flycatchers, Scarlet Minivet, Woodpeckers, Brahminy Ducks, etc.
Jungle Safari:
If you are a wildlife enthusiast then Jungle safari is a must activity while being in this park. The beauty of the undulating terrain, thick forests and sprawling grasslands and spotting wildlife fascinates every tourist. You may be lucky enough to see elephants taking shower in the Murti River. There are two types of safari, one is jeep safari and the other is elephant safari where a local forest guide is a must to take and after the safari, you can view the place from the watchtower.
Bird watching:
You can carry your binoculars to spot the numerous varieties of birds at Gorumara National Park starting from Indian hornbill to the endangered ones like the Brahminy duck.
Sightseeing in and around Gorumara National Park:
There are many fascinating tourist places to visit near Gorumara National Park. A half-day sightseeing can be planned to visit Buxa Fort, Rovers Point, Samsing, Bindu, Murti River, and Jayanti Mahakal caves, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, and Buxa Tiger Reserve.
A vibrant wildlife within the foothills of Himalayas
A scenic splendor in the Dooars, Gorumara National Park is a thrilling place to explore with friends and families for a perfect weekend. With picturesque terrain and amazing wildlife, this park is a paradise for nature lovers, wildlife freaks and photography enthusiasts.