Buxa National Park, in the Alipurduar district, was set up in the year 1982-83 at the northeastern corner of West Bengal bordering Bhutan and Assam. It is declared a National Park in January 1992. The name "Buxa" has been derived from Buxa Fort - a fort at an altitude of 867 meters on the Sinchula Range guarding the most important of the eleven routes into Bhutan, which once was used for detainees during freedom movement of India. With an area of 759 sq km this picturesque reserve with its prodigious Terai, Bhabar as well as Hilly landscape, crisscrossed by numerous rivers and their tributaries, presents a breathtaking landscape. Buxa National Park is the largest forest in Dooars.
The Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary of Bhutan is contiguous to North of BTR. Manas Tiger Reserve lies on the east. Thus, Buxa Tiger Reserve serves as an international corridor for elephant migration between India and Bhutan. The reserve encompasses as many as eight forest types.
Buxa is rich with biodiversity and has a great collection of rare orchids and medicinal plants. Because of inaccessible terrain, some parts of Buxa hills in the Sinchula range are still unexplored. The veritable flora and fauna of these wet forests attract tourists and nature lovers every year. The Generic diversity of mammals is second highest among all the tiger reserves of India. Astonishing bio-diversity of animals comprise of a reach avifauna of more than 230 identified species, 67 mammals and 36 species of reptiles.
Mammal: Apart from Bengal Tiger, the flagship species, there are plenty of Leopard, Fishing Cat, Leopard Cat, Jungle Cat, Indian Civet, Palm Civet, Wild Dogs, Malayan Gaint Squirrels, Mongooses, Asian Elephant, Gaur, Small Clawless Otter, Chital, Sambar, Barking Deer, Hog Deer, Wild Buffalo, 3 varieties of Pythons, Monitor Lizard and a host of land tortoises. A number of animals like Chinese Pangolin. Regal Python (reticulate) Clouded Leopard are endemic to the region.
Birds: The Avifauna is rich in both endemic as well as migratory species. The swift rivers of Rydak and Jainti are visited by Trans Himalayan Migratory Goosanders, the beautiful Ibis Bill, resident Fork-tails, varieties of Red-stars, Wag-tails, the Narathali Lake is visited by migratory Common Teal, Gargani Teal, Large Whistling Teal, White Eyed Poachared etc. The Hornbills including greater Pied Hornbill abound the area. One of the rarest birds of India the Black-necked Crane has been sighted in the Reserve during the early winter. The migratory beautiful Black Stork is a visitor of the area. The monsoon ends and beautiful Minivets, Sultan tits arrive, during summer rare Ashyminivet is also sighted.
Flora: More than 300 species of trees, 250 species of shrubs, 400 species of herbs, 9 species of cane, 10 species of bamboo, 150 species of orchids, 100 species of grass and 130 species of aquatic flora including more than 70 sedges (Cyperaceae) have been identified so far. There are more than 160 species of other monocotyledons and ferns. Main species include Sal, Champ, Gamar, Simul, Chikrasi etc.
Attractions:
Buxa fort: Several trek routes originate from Buxa. The most popular trek starts from Santrabari (914ft) to Buxaduar. A 5kms trek through the densely forested hills leads to Buxaduar Forest Bungalow. Accommodation is available here for the trekkers. Another 4 km trek through the forest track leads to Rover's Point-the land of unknown birds (4500ft). It is difficult to ignore the lure of Rupam Valley in Bhutan, another 12 km from there. The journey through the entire region is full of unknown adventure and excitements and gives some breathtaking views of Jayanti River Valley far below, evergreen forest canopy and a glimpse of rare animals, the flight of birds and colorful orchids.
Jayanti: A picturesque spot along the meandering Jayanti River forming a natural border with beautiful Bhutan hills Jayanti is a place to stretch your weary legs as the cool breeze brushes away all the exhaustion. Buxaduar to Jayanti is another popular trek in the region. This 13 km trek passes through the dense forest of Buxa Tiger Reserve. The music of the wilderness, the chirping of unknown birds, the song of wild streams, the fragrance of nature will never allow you to feel the least stress of a long journey. The journey ends with a warm reception of an old staggering priest at the stalactite cave of Jayanti, popularly known as the Mahakal cave. It is difficult to enter into the narrow, dark, damp cave but trying the same may be another precious adventure. The downhill trek from here leads to Jayanti Forest Bungalow.
Rajabhatkhawa: Rajabhatkhawa is only 12 km from Jayanti and approachable by both road and rail from Siliguri (153kms) and Alipurduar (17 km). Surrounded by dense forests of Buxa tiger reserve Rajabhatkhawa is an ideal place for wildlife lovers. A watchtower deep inside the forest gives the best opportunity to view elephant, bison and even tiger. The Nature Interpretation Center at Rajabhatkhawa is another attraction. There are a small bazaar and a beautiful small rail station. Accommodation is available in forest rest house and also in a private rest house named Gracilips.
Where to stay
Buxa forest is replete with small homestay and resorts. Most of them are managed by the locals. Buxa forest is spread over 760 sq km which makes it the largest forest in North Bengal. There are several villages and clusters where you may take accommodation. However, there are very few that has decent service and none that can be considered as a deluxe category resort.
Humro Home Buxa is an eco-lodge at Rajabhatkhawa. This is a joint initiative between naturebeyond and local stakeholders in tourism. Started in 2013, Humro Home Buxa has been consistently judged by guests as the best tourist accommodation in Buxa, for booking this eco-resort, you may send us an inquiry or visit Humro Home website.
Rajabhatkhawa Area – The best accommodations are located here. There are the forest department (WBFDC) lodge and the Humro Home project. Due to the verdict of the Green Tribunal, the forest lodge is now closed. Rajabhatkhawa is just outside the entry gate to the core area and is surrounded by forest on all sides. The place is well connected with Alipurduar just 12 km away and a train station of its own here. Rajabhatkhawa is our first suggestion for your choice of accommodation in Buxa.
Jayanti Area – Arguably this is the most popular place for tourists to visit and stay in Buxa. The primary reason is the Jayanti riverbed and the Bhutan hills visible on the other side. The place is also inside the forest and some of the forest safaris originate here. However, most accommodations here offer tiny rooms and basic service. Additionally, since this is within the core area of Buxa, you have to pay an entry fee every day to go out and come into the core area. The amount comes to about 5 to 6 hundred every day. So Jayanti cluster is our second recommendation just in case you don’t mind the quality of your accommodation too much.
Santalabari Area – This is the starting point for Buxa fort trek. There are a few resorts here offering a decent service. However, the main disadvantage here is that the area is heavily forested and one has little option of getting active outside the resort area.
Raimatang – Unlike the above three clusters which compete with one another for your stay, Raimatang is a completely different tourist destination. So one can stay at one of the above 3 places for one or two nights and still spend a night at Raimatang. The view, the activity, the watchtower, the safari all are different at Raimatang. The small village has several homestays which are basic at best. You should not be expecting much more than a small room with a small bed here.
Conclusion – based on the above, you may ask our travel experts to find accommodation for you. Just fill up the form at the end of the page and our experts will inform you about the best accommodation to suit your needs.
Reaching Buxa:
Buxa is one of the oldest settlements in North Bengal. It is 14kms from Alipurduar and 180 km from Siliguri, well connected by both motorable road and railways
