Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary

Gaur herds at a forest waterhole

Altitude150m Nights0–1 BestNov – Mar

Photo: Ssanyal18 · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

In brief

Chapramari is a small sanctuary of sal forest between the Murti and Jaldhaka rivers, next door to Gorumara and known for the largest gaur herds in West Bengal. A short safari leads to a watchtower over a waterhole where gaur and elephants come in to drink.

The local story

A forest the British meant to show off

Chapramari was declared a reserved forest in 1895, at the same time as Gorumara, as the British laid claim to the timber of the newly won Duars. Within a year, in 1896, a forest officer named D. H. E. Sander was already proposing it as a place for visitors, which makes it one of the earliest forests in the region to be thought of in terms of tourism.

The name Chapramari Wildlife Reserve came into use from 1939, and the forest became a wildlife sanctuary in 1998. Its claim today is the gaur, the massive wild cattle of Indian forests, which gather here in some of the largest herds in West Bengal, alongside elephants that move along the corridor between Chapramari, Gorumara and the Bhutan hills.

That corridor is crossed by the Dooars railway line, and the forest's modern history includes its darkest moment: in November 2013 a passenger train killed seven elephants from a herd crossing the tracks near Chapramari. The accident led to speed limits on the forest stretch and warning systems that railways and the forest department have kept improving.

Chapramari has been a reserved forest since 1895, but it became a wildlife sanctuary only in 1998, more than a century later.

Gaur bulls in the Dooars can stand close to 2 m at the shoulder and weigh around a tonne, making them the largest wild cattle on Earth.

In November 2013 a train killed seven elephants crossing the line through Chapramari, one of India's worst elephant–train collisions, which led to speed limits there.

About Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary

Chapramari is Gorumara's quieter neighbour. The sanctuary is small, with a single main watchtower overlooking a pond and a salt lick in the sal, and that simplicity is its charm. You come for gaur: in winter, herds of a dozen or more step out of the forest to drink, the bulls dark and heavy with white socks, the calves ginger-brown.

Visits run as short safaris from the counter on the Chalsa–Khunia road, booked through the forest department like Gorumara's slots. Most people stay in Lataguri or Murti and add Chapramari as one slot. The forest railway, the tea gardens around Chalsa and the road up to Jhalong make good additions.

What to see and do

The Chapramari watchtower

One tower, one pond, one salt lick: gaur come to drink and lick minerals, with elephants on many evenings. Fewer visitors than Gorumara means a calmer wait.

Gaur at close range

Chapramari holds some of the largest gaur herds in West Bengal. Watch the bulls test the air and the herd move in single file towards the water.

Elephants on the move

The forest is part of an elephant corridor running towards Gorumara and the Bhutan foothills. Herds pass at dusk, which is why the road and the railway carry warning signs.

Chalsa tea slopes

Above Chapramari, the land rises into tea gardens around Chalsa with views back over the forest and the plains. Stop for tea at the crossroads on the way to Samsing or Jhalong.

The forest railway

The Dooars line runs through the forest belt between Malbazar and Chalsa. A short train ride is a cheap way to see the canopy and understand the elephant corridor.

How to get there

Reserved car: From NJP about 80–90 km and two and a half hours via Malbazar and Chalsa, ₹3,500–4,000. From Lataguri or Murti it is 20–30 minutes.
Train: Chalsa station on the Dooars line is the nearest stop, a short drive from the sanctuary counter. Check the current timetable and arrange a car from Chalsa.
Bus: Buses from Siliguri towards Chalsa and Nagrakata pass nearby; ₹120–180. You still need a car from Chalsa to the counter and to your lodge.

Where to stay

There is no tourist lodge inside the sanctuary. Most visitors stay in Lataguri or at Murti, 15–30 minutes away, and add Chapramari as one safari. A few private resorts sit along the Chalsa–Khunia road and around Murti, generally ₹2,500–5,000 a room. The forest corporation's Murti Banani cottages by the river are the nearest government option.

Local tips

Book the Chapramari slot online with your Gorumara slots; they use the same forest department system.
Take the last slot of the afternoon for the best chance of gaur at the water.
Keep completely silent on the tower; gaur are wary and turn back at the first noise.
Never stop on the road through the forest to photograph elephants or gaur.
The sanctuary closes from about 16 June to 15 September; check current status before you travel.

02,7005,400

Altitude150 m

Low and warm: humid in summer, mild in winter.

What it costs here

Watchtower safari, jeep for up to 6 with fees₹2,500–3,500 (indicative 2025–26)

Shared seat in a safari jeepAbout ₹450–600

Car from Lataguri for the slot₹800–1,200

Resort near Chapramari₹2,500–5,000 a room

Tea and pakoras at Chalsa₹40–80

Indicative, 2025–26. Check current status before you travel.

Best months: Nov – Mar
Nights we suggest: 0–1 (stay in Murti or Lataguri)
From Siliguri: ≈ 80–90 km · 2.5 h
Altitude: ≈ 150 m
Known for: Gaur herds, elephants, watchtower
Network: Weak inside, fair at Chalsa

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

BestGoodAvoid or closed

Things to do

Four things to do in Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary

Wildlife and birds · 1.5–2 hoursGaur at the Chapramari watchtowerChapramari Wildlife Sanctuary · ₹2,500–3,500 a jeep for up to 6 (indica…

Toy train · 1–2 hoursThe Dooars train through the forestChapramari Wildlife Sanctuary · ₹30–150 a ticket

Tea · 2–3 hoursTea slopes and views around ChalsaChapramari Wildlife Sanctuary · Free; car ₹800–1,500

Viewpoints · 2 hoursRivers of the Chapramari forestChapramari Wildlife Sanctuary · Car ₹800–1,500

On the map

Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary and its neighbours

Drawn by Darjeeling Himalayas from Natural Earth outlines (public domain). Borders as depicted by India. Not for navigation.

Close by

Nearby places

river town150 m Murtiमूर्ति A stony river between two forests

national park150 m Gorumara National Park A small rhino park seen from watchtowers, not jeeps

forest village100 m Lataguri The highway village at Gorumara's gate

river town600 m Jhalong A hydel town on the Jaldhaka, facing Bhutan

Ways to travel

Wildlife and birds Photography Family trips

Questions people ask

Questions about Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary

What is Chapramari famous for?

Gaur, the Indian bison, which gather here in some of the largest herds in West Bengal, plus elephants and a single watchtower over a forest waterhole. It is next to Gorumara and is usually visited as one safari slot from Lataguri or Murti.

How do I book a Chapramari safari?

Through the West Bengal forest department's online system, the same one used for Gorumara's watchtowers, or at the counter if seats remain. A six-seat jeep with entry, guide and vehicle fees costs roughly ₹2,500–3,500 (indicative 2025–26). Bring ID.

When is Chapramari closed?

From about 16 June to 15 September every year for the monsoon, and occasionally at other times for floods, census work or repairs. Check current status before you travel, especially in the months after a heavy monsoon.

Can we stay inside Chapramari?

There is no regular tourist accommodation inside the sanctuary. Stay at Murti, Lataguri or a resort on the Chalsa road, all within 30 minutes. The forest corporation's Murti Banani cottages are the closest government option.

Is Chapramari better than Gorumara?

They are different. Gorumara has rhinos and several towers; Chapramari is smaller and quieter, with the best gaur viewing. Most visitors do both, since they are 20–30 minutes apart and use the same booking system.

Are rhinos found in Chapramari?

Rhinos are occasionally reported, but Chapramari is not a rhino park. For rhinos go to Gorumara's Jatraprasad and Medla towers or to Jaldapara. Come to Chapramari for gaur and elephants.

How far is Chapramari from Siliguri?

About 80–90 km, roughly two and a half hours by car via Malbazar and Chalsa. A reserved car costs ₹3,500–4,000. From Lataguri it is about 20–25 km and from Murti about 10 km.

What happened to the elephants at Chapramari in 2013?

In November 2013 a passenger train struck a herd crossing the Dooars line near Chapramari and killed seven elephants. The accident led to lower speed limits on forest stretches and to warning and detection systems that the railways and forest department continue to work on.

What is the best time to see gaur at Chapramari?

From November to April, on the last afternoon slot, when herds come to the waterhole and salt lick. March and April, when water elsewhere dries up, can be especially good, though days are warmer. Keep silent on the tower.