The Gorumara National Park in the Northern part of West Bengal is situated in the Himalayan foothills at Dooars.
This vast stretch of land is covered with lush grasslands and rolling forests created on the bottomlands of River Raidak and River Murti. Flowing through the park is the serene Jaldhaka river.
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In this article, you will get to know the following points about the Gorumara National Park,
- About
- How to reach
- Flora and Fauna
- Things to do
- Best time to visit
- Places to stay
- Nearby attractions
Let’s see each of these points in detail.
About Gorumara National Park
| Name of the park | Gorumara National Park |
| Area | 80 sq km |
| Established in | 1992 |
| Famous for | Asiatic Rhinos |
The Gorumara National Park covers an area of 80 sq km and holds significance as a ridgeline between the rivers Ganga and Brahmaputra.
The reserve forest lies in the terai belt and is one of the best-protected areas in India.
It was established in 1992 and is the most prominent site for the Indian Rhinoceros. The gorgeous wild habitat is home to several species of flora and fauna.
The climate here is primarily soothing throughout the year, and there is rainfall mostly between May to mid-October.
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The residents near the forest carry out their livelihood by working in ecotourism, forest department activities, and other works related to tourism and the national park.
The park contains a variety of biomes, including tropical and subtropical grasslands, shrublands, and savannas that contribute to the Terai-Duar savanna and grassland. This is because it is located in the Indomalayan realm, one of the eight biogeographic realms.
Then, the biome of the tropical moist forest is displayed through the moist deciduous forest of the lower Gangetic plains. The biomes are incredible to look at.
How to reach Gorumara National Park
| District | Jalpaiguri |
| Nearest Airport | Bagdogra |
| Nearest Station | Lataguri |
| Distance from Siliguri | 61 km |
Air: If you are traveling by flight, land at the Bagdogra airport, and after that, book prepaid cabs from the airport and drive for about 80 kilometers to reach Gorumara national park. The homestays are generally located in Murti.
Rail: Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, New Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Siliguri, and a few other stations are there through which you will be able to reach the national park.
Amongst all, New Jalpaiguri station is a major one connected to all the major cities in the country and gives easy access to the park. New Mal Junction is another railway station close to the Gorumara National Park.
From any of the stations, rent any private car, and get on Highway 31, which will eventually take you to your destination.
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Road: Roads are connected well with Gorumara National Park; therefore, you will get available cabs, jeeps, sharing cars, Private buses, and NBSTC buses. Buses from the Siliguri bus stand are in plenty.
Alipurduar, Malbazar, Cooch Behar, Chalsa, and other regions of the state of West Bengal are well connected through NBSTC (North Bengal State Transport Corporation). Bus routes are also at hand from Guwahati, Kolkata, and Jalpaiguri.
Apart from this, all forms of road transport are there from the stations and the airport that will take you through the highway, crossing Lataguri, and finally on the way to the long-awaited national park.
Flora and Fauna at Gorumara National Park
The national park is bustling with diverse flora and fauna. The biodiversity is incredible in the wild and its absolute raw form. About 194 species of birds, 22 species of reptiles, and 50 species of mammals are found here. It also contains 27 species of fish and seven species of turtles.
Indian rhinoceros, sloth bears, Asian elephants, gaur, sambar deer, and many others are seen roaming around freely. Hispid hares, giant squirrels, and different other rodents are also found. Tigers are rarely spotted inside the wild park, and large carnivores lack in this area.
The park is also the habitat of the king cobra and Indian python, along with many distinctive venomous and non-venomous snakes.
It is a paradise for bird watchers. Spangled drongo, pheasants, Indian hornbill, exotic Brahminy duck, and multiple other rare migratory birds dwell and immigrate in this park.
Watch towers can be accessed to take a beautiful scenic view of wild nature and animals. Different activities done by the animals and birds can be watched and enjoyed from these points. The experience of being here is delightful.
Things to do in Gorumara National Park
Jeep Safari and Wildlife Photography are the main activities you can perform in Gorumara National Park.
Jeep Safari at Gorumara National Park
Jeep Safari is one of the best ways to explore the Gorumara National Park and spot wildlife. They generally are carried out by open gypsy vehicles.
Routes of Jeep Safari
There are eight routes for Jeep Safari in Gorumara National Park.
From Murti:
- Jatraprasad Watch Tower
- Chapramari Watch Tower
- Chandrachur Watch Tower
The main office to report to for Jeep Safari is near Murti Forest Beat, opposite Banani resort.
From Lataguri:
- Chukchuki Watch Tower
- Jatraprasad Watch Tower
- Chapramari Watch Tower
- Chandrachur Watch Tower
- Kalipur
The main office to report to for Jeep Safari from Lataguri is Nature Interpretation Center (NIC) Lataguri.
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Timings of Jeep Safari
The timings of the Gorumara National Park Jeep Safari are,
Summer (April to October):
| Shift | Timings |
|---|---|
| 1st Shift | 5:30 AM – 7:00 AM |
| 2nd Shift | 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM |
| 3rd Shift | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM |
| 4th Shift | 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM |
Winter (November to March):
| Shift | Timings |
|---|---|
| 1st Shift | 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM |
| 2nd Shift | 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM |
| 3rd Shift | 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM |
| 4th Shift | 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM |
Jeep Safari Cost
| Ride booking charges per person | 187 INR* |
| Jeep safari vehicle (Gypsy) cost | 1400 INR* |
| Guide charges | 350 INR* |
| Jeep safari per person cost (Total) | 500 – 600 INR approx* |
*Charges may vary
A safari lasts for 1 hour and 30 minutes. A jeep has room for up to six people.
You can reserve a full Jeep by paying the entire vehicle rental fee for six people or joining a group and paying per person.
Photography
Taking iconic snaps of wildlife and nature is another riveting thing you can do in Gorumara National Park. Numerous tourists visit this mystical place to click mind-blowing photographs.
There is no extra charge to take your camera to the forest. So pack your gear and head off to the jungles.
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Best time to visit Gorumara National Park
The winter months of December to February are the best time to visit Gorumara National Park.
During this time of year, the weather remains moderately pleasant, and the skies are clear for exploring the attractions in and around this destination.
You can also visit here during other times of the year, but in my opinion, during winter, you can sense a calmness in the atmosphere as the forests are wrapped in fog.
Places to stay in Gorumara National Park
To explore Gorumara National Park, the best places to stay are Murti and Lataguri.
Murti Banani Resort is a famous forest bungalow in Murti maintained by WBFDC. Resort Trimurti, Muti River Lodge, and Resort Dooars Residency are other resorts nearby.
In Lataguri, The Reserve Gorumara, The Firefly Resorts, and Green Lagoon Resort are famous accommodations.
These lodges and resorts will also provide facilities and delicious food.
Other attractions near Gorumara National Park
There are some beautiful locations near Gorumara National Park.
Murti, Kalipur Eco Village, Bindu, Samsung, Suntaleykhola, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, and Jhalung are some of them.
The beautiful and famous Gorumara National Park is wrapped with a peaceful ambiance and unmatched beauty.
So this winter, plan your journey to this National Park with your friends and family.
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