Jhilmil Jheel Safari: Timings, Price, Swamp Deer & Booking

Jhilmil Jheel is a 37.8 sq km wetland and tall-grass reserve on the Ganga floodplain near Haridwar, and it holds Uttarakhand's only surviving herd of swamp deer (barasingha). It sits right beside Rajaji National Park and works as a wildlife corridor for the animals that move between the two. A jeep safari here runs 2 to 3 hours through marshland, Patera grass and riverside forest.

This guide covers Jhilmil Jheel safari timings, price, what you can see, the best time to visit and how to book with us.

Jhilmil Jheel at a glance

Jhilmil Jheel safari timings

There are two safari shifts a day, morning and afternoon. Gate entry windows shift with the season, so you must enter within the window for your booked shift.

A full safari takes about 2.5 to 3 hours and covers roughly 25 to 30 km of track. Only a small number of jeeps enter per shift, so the reserve stays quiet.

Which shift is better? Choose the morning shift for birds and soft light. Choose the afternoon shift if you are coming from Delhi or want a relaxed start.

Timings are set by the Forest Department and can change with weather or local orders. Your booking confirmation will show the exact slot.

Jhilmil Jheel safari price

Your total has two parts: the forest charges, which go to the Forest Department, and the jeep and guide charges.

Forest charges (per safari)

Jeep safari packages with Rishikesh Tiger Safari

Sample total for a private jeep (Indian guests): jeep and guide Rs. 3500 + vehicle fee Rs. 250 + Rs. 150 per person. For 4 guests the forest charges alone come to Rs. 850.

Prices are per safari, not per day. Book early in November to February and on weekends, because the daily quota is small.

For a full fee breakdown across all zones, read our full ticket price guide.

Swamp deer and wildlife at Jhilmil Jheel

Jhilmil Jheel is one of the last patches of Terai marshland left in Uttarakhand. The tall Patera grass and wet ground suit animals that you rarely see on a forest-road safari.

Swamp deer (barasingha)

The swamp deer is the main reason to come. Uttarakhand's only surviving herd lives here. The stags carry antlers with 10 or more tines, and the name barasingha means "twelve-horned". The rut falls in November and December, when stags are most active and visible. Early morning gives the best chance of seeing the herd in the open grass.

Other animals you may see

• Spotted deer (chital) and sambar
• Wild boar and barking deer
• Nilgai and goral on the drier edges
• Crocodiles and other reptiles near the water
• Langurs and rhesus macaques
• Elephants and leopards pass through the corridor from the neighbouring forest. Sightings are possible but not guaranteed.

Birds

The wetland, river edge and grassland attract resident and winter birds. Reports of the total species count range from 150 to 350 depending on the source, so we do not quote a single number. Commonly seen birds include storks, egrets, kingfishers, hornbills and raptors, with more waterbirds in winter.

What the safari feels like

The track runs through tall grass, scrub and riverbank forest beside the Ganga. It is flat and open, so the ride is smoother than hilly forest tracks. Three watch towers around the wetland give you a wider view of the grassland.

Wildlife sightings can never be promised. Our guides know where the herd moves in each season, and that raises your chances.

Related reading: Top animals you can spot around Rishikesh and Birds you can see on safari.

How to reach Jhilmil Jheel

Jhilmil Jheel is on the Kotdwar road side of Haridwar, about 20 km from the city. Private vehicles cannot enter the reserve, so you ride in a safari jeep from the gate.

• By train: Haridwar Junction is the nearest station.
• By air: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun is the nearest airport.
• Pickup: We can arrange pickup from Rishikesh or Haridwar on request.

Travel times are approximate and depend on traffic, especially on weekends and festival days. For routes from other cities, see our guide to reaching the forest zones.

Best time to visit Jhilmil Jheel

Our pick: November to February, on a morning shift. Carry warm layers, because open jeeps are cold before 9 AM.

How to book your Jhilmil Jheel safari with us

1. Choose your date and shift. Tell us the date, morning or afternoon, and the number of guests.
2. Share ID details. Send the original photo ID details of every guest. Foreign guests need passport details.
3. Pay and confirm. We confirm the slot with the Forest Department and send your booking confirmation.
4. Reach the gate on time. Arrive within your shift's entry window with your original ID.

Book 2 to 3 weeks ahead for November to February and for weekends, because only a few jeeps enter per shift.

Book now: WhatsApp or call +91 99271 80586 or +91 79063 33701.

We are an authorized guide. We are not the Forest Department and this is not an official park website.

Rules to follow on safari

• Carry an original photo ID for every guest.
• Private vehicles are not allowed inside. Use the safari jeep only.
• Stay seated in the jeep and follow your guide's instructions.
• Keep voices low. Do not feed, call or chase animals.
• No plastic, litter or smoking.
• Do not use flash photography or drones.
• Follow the Forest Department's orders if they close tracks for weather or animal movement.

More about the area

Jhilmil Jheel is one of several forest zones near Rishikesh and Haridwar. To compare it with the other safari zones and see the wider forest, read our full guide to Rajaji National Park.