It's coming to that time of year when you should go to see the animals. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in the terai region of Uttar Pradesh will throw open its bounties on November 15 and you have till June 15 to explore the wonders of this relatively-unknown sanctuary.
What makes it particularly special is how untamed it is; it's like roaming through wild jungle, not the more landscaped national parks we're used to in India. The animals here are unused to people, quick to startle, shy like animals in the wild should typically be – which makes seeing them a special privilege.
Discover Dudhwa's wildlife and its surreal savannah-style grasslands by taking an early-morning jeep safari that should give you a view of the one-horned rhino, which was successfully reintroduced in 1984, and is one of the national park's most prized residents. Of course, you may be lucky enough to also see the tiger, for whom the park is named, as well as leopard, barasingha (swamp deer), and critically endangered species like the hispid hare and the Bengal florican.
Birding enthusiasts will enjoy the potential of spotting over 450 resident and migratory species.
Once you've rested after your early-morning foray into the forest, opt for an additional chance at spotting swamp deer or even perhaps a tiger or two with an evening safari through Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a part of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. The deer enjoy sunning themselves on the little islands that dot the marsh lands, offering great photo ops.
Top off your wildlife foray with a boat ride from Katernia Ghat, which offers you opportunities to spot massive gharials and, if Lady Luck is sailing with you, the shy Gangetic dolphins.
And yes, before you go, we recommend you read Billy Arjan Singh - Tiger of Dudhwa by Shaminder Boparai. The late Billy Arjan Singh, hunter-turned-conservationist, is Dudhwa Tiger Reserve's own hero, and tales of his life with a tigress and three pet leopards are the stuff of legend - except that they're true!
New Delhi is about 430 kilometres from Dudhwa, while Lucknow is the closest big city at 219 kilometres; you can fly into Lucknow Airport. If you'd rather come by train, the nearest railhead is Shahjahanpur at 88 kilometres.