- Where
- Sukna gate, about 12 km north of Siliguri
- Distance
- About 12 km from Siliguri and 15 km from NJP, 30–45 minutes
- Timings
- Daytime only, roughly 8 am to 4 pm
- Entry fee
- Entry, vehicle and camera fees charged at the gate; check current rates with the forest office
- Permit
- Entry ticket at the gate; no other permit
- Best time
- October–May; closed in the monsoon (mid-June to mid-September)
- Time needed
- Half a day
Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary covers the forested foothills between Siliguri and the Darjeeling hills, along the Mahananda river. It's sal and mixed forest rising into the hills, home to elephants, gaur, deer and leopards, and one of the best birding spots near Siliguri: hornbills, sultan tits and many Himalayan species.
What to do
Most visitors enter at the Sukna gate for a short forest drive or a guided walk. A local guide from the gate helps with birds and keeps you on permitted tracks. Animals aren't guaranteed; early morning is the best time for birds.
How to reach
Sukna is about 12 km from Siliguri on the road towards Kurseong and Darjeeling, so it fits on the way up to the hills or as a half-day from Siliguri. The sanctuary closes during the monsoon, usually from mid-June to mid-September.
Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary: questions travellers ask
Is Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary open in the monsoon?
No. It usually closes from mid-June to mid-September. October to May is the open season.
How far is Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary from Siliguri?
The Sukna entrance is about 12 km from Siliguri, 30–45 minutes by road.
What is the entry fee?
There are entry, vehicle, guide and camera fees, collected at the gate. Rates change, so check with the forest office before you go.
Can I see elephants at Mahananda?
Elephants live in the sanctuary, but sightings aren't guaranteed. Birds are the more reliable reason to go.
Sources
Timings and fees change. Check on the day, or ask us when you book.
