Buxa Fort And Buxaduar Tiger Reserve

• Flora and Fauna:

The tiger reserve is a home to a fantastic diversity of flora and fauna. Species like tigers, clouded leopards, deer, elephants, gaurs, wild dogs, pangolins, Himalayan black bears, civet, giant squirrels, mongooses, clawless otters, chital, sambar, buffalos, and red jungle fowl frequent the place. This apart, the reserve also homes Himalayan griffons, nutuch, hornbills, and red-breasted Himalayan partridges. You will observe innumerable small water bodies and ponds here, which are home to a large variety of tortoises. The reserve also supports the growth of some rare orchids and medicinal plants. The nearby rivers Raidak and Jayanti are frequented by migratory birds like the Trans Himalayan Migratory Goosander, Ibis Bull, Red-stars, Fork-tails, Wag-tails, Teals, White Eyed Poachard, minivets, Sultan tits, and more. It is also the place where you could spot the rarest birds of present times – Black Storks and Black-necked Cranes. Reptiles are pythons and monitor lizards throng the area.

• Trek in Buxa

The trek will begin from Santalabari to Buxaduar, which lies at an altitude of 914 feet. This is a 5 kilometres trek through the hills and the forest, which takes you to the Buxaduar Forest Bungalow. If you travel another 4 kilometres from here, you will reach the Rover’s Point at an altitude of 4,500 feet. This point is also known as ‘the land of the unknown birds.’ 12 kilometres from here, you could steal a glimpse of the Rupam Valley in Bhutan. All throughout the journey, you will be able to view the majestic Jayanti River Valley.

• Visit the Mahakal Cave

At the end of the trek comes Jayanti, which homes the Mahakal Cave. This stalactite cave is a natural wonder and very narrow, damp, and dark. Try it at your own risk. And if you want to continue the trek, you can travel downhill to the Jayanti Forest Bungalow.

• Visit Rajabhatkhawa

12 kilometres from Jayanti, Rajabhatkhawa is a popular tourist destination, which can be covered in your Buxa Tiger Reserve itinerary. It is surrounded by the forest of the reserve and offers ample opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts to explore the place. Rajabhatkhawa has a watch tower deep inside the jungle from where you can spot elephants, bisons, and sometimes, even tigers. The place also has The Nature Interpretation Centre and The Animal Rescue Centre. You can opt for a park safari is a car or jeep as well.

The environment of the reserve is forever sultry. Summers are very hot; the temperatures are at their peak during the month of April. From June to August, the tiger reserve receives heavy rainfall. Showers can even occur in the month of May. September to April is a good time to visit this place. In fact, March is considered the best month for a trip to the Buxa Tiger Reserve, because the flora and fauna here become prominent during this time.