Palamau Tiger Reserve (Timings, Entry Fee, Safari Online Booking & How to Reach)
Palamau Tiger Reserve is the part of Palamau National Park which is also called as the Betla National Park. Located in the western side of Chhotanagpur plateau in the state of Jharkhand, the Palamau Tiger Reserve is situated at a distance of 161 from Ranchi which is the capital city of the state. This was the first forest in the world where first tiger census was conducted in the year of 1934. The tiger reserve was developed in the year of 1974 under the Project Tiger by Government of India. Palamau Tiger Reserve is amongst the first nine tiger reserves of India.
Spread across an area of 1026 sq. km, the park offers exciting options of traveling within the reserve. There are safaris for tourists taking them to the area with high visibility. For short distances, elephant rides are available which are quite popular not just amongst children but adults too. These rides need to be booked in advance.
Flora @ Palamau Tiger Reserve
The main kinds of forests in the reserve are dry deciduous forest and few parts comprising of moist mixed deciduous forests. Along with various kinds of medicinal plants, some of the common plants found here are Shorea robusta, Adina cordifolia, Madhuca indica, Butea monosperma, Holarrhena antidysentrica, Acacia catechu, Anogeissus latifolia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Mallotus philippinensis, etc.
Fauna @ Palamau Tiger Reserve
As per the census done in 1919, the reserve had 54 tigers. Along with tigers, Palamau Tiger Reserve is also famous for elephants. Some of the other animals that can be spotted here are leopard, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, wolf, wild dog, mouse deer, pangolin, four-horned antelope, ratel etc.
Various rare species of birds have also been spotted making the reserve a popular place for the activity of bird watching.
Best time to visit Palamau Tiger Reserve
The ideal time to visit the reserve is during the months of October and November. Summer season which is usually from March to May is quite hot while in the South West Monsoon months which are from June to September, the area receives heavy rainfall.
Reaching Palamau Tiger Reserve
- By air: The nearest airport is located at Ranchi. There are regular flights between Ranchi and other places like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Patna. One can hire a taxi or take a bus from Ranchi to the reserve.
- By rail: The nearest railway station is situated at Barwadih. Barwadih is connected to the station of Ranchi which is further connected to rest of the country like Delhi, Varanasi and Howrah.
- By road: There are various buses running from Barwadih and Ranchi to the reserve.
Accommodation @ Palamau Tiger Reserve
Tourists can opt from Tourist Lodge and Forest Rest Houses, both offering decent accommodation facilities.