Patna : Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran will open to tourists on October 17, marking the start of the new jungle safari season with four newly developed routes. Safari operations are scheduled to begin at 11 am, giving visitors an opportunity to explore the reserve and spot tigers and other wildlife.
The new routes have been developed to expand safari options and improve access to different parts of the reserve. The tourism season is expected to continue until June next year.
VTR Field Director Gaurav Ojha said accommodation would be available at three main tourism centres — Valmikinagar, Manguraha and Gobardhana — to facilitate visitors’ stays.
Four New Jungle Safari Routes Introduced
The VTR administration has developed four routes for the upcoming tourism season:
- Madanpur route: From the Gateway of VTR at Madanpur to Madanpur Devi Sthan and Delhi Camp.
- Valmikinagar–Gaunaha route: From the Valmikinagar tourism centre to the vulture conservation centre in the Gaunaha forest range.
- Valmikinagar–Gobardhana–Manguraha route: A safari route passing through the vulture conservation centre at Gaunaha, Chiutaha and the Raghia buffer zone.
- Manguraha route: From Bhawanipur Naka to Manpur.
The routes are intended to give tourists more options for exploring the forest landscape and observing wildlife. Sightings of tigers and other animals will depend on natural conditions and cannot be guaranteed.
Accommodation Available At Three Tourism Centres
Tourists planning an overnight stay will have several accommodation options across the reserve’s tourism centres.
At Valmikinagar, 26 rooms are available. The Kotarahana facility offers a dormitory hall and two eco-huts.
The Manguraha tourism centre has 16 rooms, while Gobardhana offers four eco-huts, tent huts and four suite rooms.
The facilities are intended to support visitors travelling to the reserve for jungle safaris and other nature-based tourism activities.
Jungle Safari Visitors Increase Over Five Years
The number of tourists visiting VTR for jungle safaris has risen steadily in recent years, according to figures reported by the reserve.
In the 2021–22 tourism season, 11,338 visitors took jungle safaris. The number increased to 17,198 in 2022–23 and 23,550 in 2023–24.
VTR recorded 29,198 safari visitors in 2024–25, followed by 33,224 in 2025–26. A further 15,396 tourists visited between April and June 2026.
The figures indicate growing interest in wildlife tourism at the reserve. With four additional safari routes and accommodation across three tourism centres, the VTR administration is preparing to welcome visitors during the new season.
