India is home to multiple national parks and 57 tiger reserves, making it a popular destination for wildlife lovers interested in safaris. Typically, safaris in India occur in the morning, starting at 5 AM and running until 5 PM. India is set to introduce its very first night safari in Lucknow! That’s right! Authorities will begin constructing the Kukrail Night Safari and Adventure Park, a unique nighttime safari experience, in April 2025.
This night safari in Lucknow will not only be the first of its kind in India but also the fifth globally. The team created the design for the project in collaboration with Bernard Arc, the Indian branch of the firm behind the world’s first night safari in Singapore. To ensure its success, they will adapt insights from Singapore’s experience to fit the local environment and specific needs in Lucknow.
The construction of the night safari in Lucknow will take place in two phases. Phase 1, set to begin in April 2025, is expected to finish within 24 months. It will have a budget exceeding INR 1,500 crore for the development, with an estimated cost of INR 631 crore (excluding GST) for implementing Phase 1.
During Phase 1, the enclosures for the Night Safari will occupy 65,254 square meters of the Kukrail forest, while the overall project will cover 34.59 lakh square meters (855.07 acres). The complete project area will total 855 hectares, with 72% designated as open or natural land. The Kukrail forest itself is 2027.46 hectares in total area.
The team presented the detailed project report (DPR) for the night safari, designed with a maple leaf theme, on November 19, 2024. This presentation occurred approximately two years after they conducted a digital survey in December 2022.
What To Expect At India’s First Night Safari In Lucknow
– The project includes 38 types of animal enclosures and various facilities.
– Key features: amusement area, admin block, 7D theater, art gallery, and grand gateway.
– Additional developments: cafeteria, entrance plaza, quarantine ward, veterinary hospital, and five staff residential blocks.
– Animal enclosures will feature species like the Indian lion, caracal, leopard, nilgai, blackbuck, and more.
– Services to be provided: gardening, landscaping, roads, parking, pathways, sports facilities, and drainage.
– A tram service will operate within the night safari with dedicated storage and lines.
– It will also have a 200-seat 7D theater and an art gallery.
– The entrance will have three gateways, ticket counters, and designated access points.
Stay tuned for more details!
