Day trip to Dulahazara Safari Park from Cox's Bazar

Getting there and entry

Hire a private car for the day ($30-35) or take a Chittagong-bound bus and ask the driver to drop you at the Dulahazara gate, 90 minutes from Kolatoli. Entry is 200 taka for foreigners, 50 for locals. The safari jeep costs $15-20 for the vehicle, holds six people, and is mandatory—you cannot walk the tiger and lion zones. Arrive by 9 AM to beat the heat and catch animals before they retreat to shade.

The park covers 2,224 acres of forested hills. The jeep tour lasts 90 minutes and loops through Bengal tiger enclosures, lion prides, bear pits, and deer zones. The driver stops at viewing points, but animals are often far from the road. The tigers are impressive when visible; the lions are lethargic. Bring binoculars or a zoom lens if you want decent photos.

What else to see

After the safari, walk the aviary section—free-roaming peacocks, hornbills, and parrots in large cages. The crocodile pool has 15 muggers lounging in murky water; feeding time is 11 AM if the staff remember. The elephant enclosure has two aging females who perform tricks for peanuts sold by vendors at 50 taka a bag. Skip it if you are uncomfortable with captive performances.

Pack lunch or eat at the park canteen near the entrance: fried rice with chicken costs $3, served lukewarm. The hilltop viewpoint offers a 20-minute hike with panoramas over the Chittagong hills—worth it for the breeze. Leave by 2 PM to reach Cox's Bazar before evening traffic clogs the highway.

What to know

The park is not the Sundarbans. Enclosures are large but still enclosures, and some animals show signs of stress. Go for the tigers and landscape, not for a wild safari experience. Bring water, sunscreen, and snacks—the canteen is the only food option. Friday and weekends draw crowds; weekdays are quieter. The park closes at 5 PM year-round.