Etawah Safari Park

Established in an area of 350 hectares, Etawah Safari Park formerly called as Etawah Lion Safari is a drive-through safari park in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is an Asiatic lion breeding centre cum Safari Park situated on the outskirt of Etawah City and has been established as per the approved design by the Central Zoo Authority. It has multiple safaris such as lion safari, deer safari, leopard safari, bear safari and antelope safari. There are Two Vijayanta tanks of the Indian Army and a steam locomotive at display in Etawah Safari Park. Started in May 2012, it was opened for public in November 2019. The safari park also has a 4D theatre system which gives a real close-ups view of wildlife.

Etawah Safari Park Location

Etawah Safari Park is located in Fisher Forests area of Social Forestry Division Etawah situated on the Etawah-Gwalior Road in the Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the biggest Safari in Asia and is only safari of the state with a perimeter of 8km. The Entire area of the park is filled with a variety of flora and fauna and protected by a 7800-metre-long buffer boundary wall. Fisher Forests is a historical forest area started in 1884 and the oldest plantations in the state. This Lion Breeding Center and Multiple Safari Park situated in Fisher Forests which is located on the Etawah-Gwalior Road is about 5km distance from Etawah town.

The geographical coordinates of Etawah Safari Park are:
• Latitude: 26°46’10.1″N to 26°46’50.1″N
• Longitude: 78°59’46.2″E to 78°59’22.9″E

History of Etawah Lion Safari: From Forest Restoration to Safari Park

Before the establishment of the Etawah Lion Safari and Multiple Safari Park, the history of this remarkable wildlife conservation initiative begins with the historical “Fisher Forests.” These historic forests are situated roughly 5 kilometers from Etawah town along the Etawah-Gwalior Road.

Fisher’s Initiative (1884): District Magistrate Mr. J.F. Fisher convinced zamindars to hand over 1146.07 ha of ravine area to prevent erosion. Babool, shisham, and neem seeds sown, closed for grazing.
Commercial Lease (1912): Cooper Allen Company leased the land for 50 years, extending Fisher Forests.
Forest Department Takes Control (1914): The company handed over the lease to the Forest Department, which started check dam construction and species plantation.
Transformation and Deterioration: Broadleaved forests established but gradually deteriorated due to biotic pressure.
Transition to Prosopis Juliflora (1985): Broadcast sowing of Prosopis juliflora converted the area into a Prosopis forest with sporadic other species.
Asiatic Lion’s Historical Range: Once widespread, Asiatic lions were driven out of northern, western and central Indian forests by tigers leaving them only in the Gir forests of Gujarat.
Last Refuge of Lions: The Yamuna catchment forests were the last refuge for Asiatic lions retreating to the western fringe due to tiger onslaught.
Reviving Past Glory (1990-91): Former Chief Wildlife Warden Shri R.S. Bhadauria proposed restoring the Yamuna catchment forests with Asiatic lions.
Fisher Forest’s Potential: Fisher Forest, akin to lion habitat located near Etawah, made it suitable for a Lion Safari Park.
CZA Approval and Supreme Court Clearance: Central Zoo Authority approved the Lion Breeding Centre cum Safari Park. The Hon’ble Supreme Court also granted clearance.
Master Plan Development (2009): Detailed 10-year Master Plan developed including a 50 ha Lion safari exhibit area, breeding center and infrastructural facilities.
Construction Commences: Construction work started in May 2012 designed by Spanish company Art Urbà and a part of the Lion Safari Park was completed.
Lion Pairs Procured: Four breeding pairs of Asiatic Lions were acquired from various zoos and housed in the breeding center.
Expansion Plans (2015): Plans to add four more safaris, including Leopard, Sloth bear, Deer species and Antelopes to enhance visitor value.
Park Renamed: In 2015, the park was renamed Etawah Safari Park after adding deer, antelope, bear and leopard safaris.
Deer Safari inauguration (6 October, 2016): The Deer Safari was inaugurated.
On 1 June 2018, the remaining safaris were inaugurated.
Public Access: The park opened to the public on November 24, 2019 initially without the lion segment.

Etawah Safari Park Photos

Etawah Safari Park Map

The entire area of the Etawah Safari Park is protected by a 7800-metre-long buffer boundary wall. This protective boundary wall encircles the entire park ensuring the safety and security of the animals within and maintaining the integrity of the park’s ecosystem. The park’s map shows details road map about the lion safari, bear safari, deer safari, leopard safari and an antelope safari. It shows details about where the animals house, watch tower, amphitheatre, interpretation centre etc. are located.

Vision of Etawah Safari Park

The vision of Etawah Safari Park is to establish an international standard ex-situ Lion Breeding Center with the aim of increasing the captive Asiatic Lion population in the country and promoting conservation awareness. This center is also including a Lion Safari along with associated species such as Leopards, Deer, Sloth bear and Antelopes.

Mission:

To establish facilities for breeding Asiatic Lions to augment captive populations locally and nationally.
To raise awareness about Asiatic Lion conservation by providing opportunities for viewing these lions and their companions in a near-natural habitat, supported by interactive media in an interpretation center.
To establish a themed eco-awareness facility for both locals and visitors.

Objective:

The Lion Breeding Center and Multiple Safari Park will fulfill the following objectives:

To establish international-standard facilities for breeding Asiatic Lions ex-situ.
To create a facility for public viewing in a near-natural habitat.
To create a facility for public viewing of Lions and associated species (Leopard, Deer, Sloth bear, Antelope) in their near-natural habitat.
To establish a safe environment for maintaining the created population.
To establish high standard eco-awareness facilities including an interpretation center and related amenities (library, wildlife theatre, etc.) for species conservation awareness.

Etawah Safari Park Photos: Lion

Things to do at Etawah Safari Park

1. Safaris

There are multiple safaris in Etawah Safari Park such as lion safari, bear safari, deer safari and an antelope safari. You can see a variety of animals in each of these safaris. Start with the antelope safari and observe many antelopes. Then visit the deer safari to explore various types of small and large deer. In the bear safari you’ll find three bears in the Badas enclosure. Next experience the lion safari which is very exciting. You can watch four different lions there. All the lions are in open enclosures making them clearly visible to the naked eye from the bus.

2. Brilliant Architecture of Etawah Lion Safari

Spanish company Art Urbà Landscaping and Design designed Etawah Lion Safari known for its magnificent construction and grandeur that will undoubtedly captivate your attention. It stands as an excellent example of modern design and architecture earning high praise from the Spanish architect Frank Biddle.

3. Vijayanta Tanks

Two Vijayanta Tanks are placed on the campus of Etawah Safari Park to display for visitors. These tanks were provided by the Punjab State War Heroes Memorial-cum-Museum and received from the Indian Army. They are placed on the right side of the entrance gate, symbolizing the pride of the Indian Army.

4. Steam Locomotive

Alongside the two tanks, there is also a steam locomotive on display within the Etawah Safari Park campus. It is placed on the left side of the entrance gate to Etawah Lion Safari. The Indian Railway provided this antique steam engine to display the art of invention.

5. Visitor Facilitation Center

Etawah Safari Park has a Visitor Facilitation Center known as 4D theatre. This multimedia museum includes large format displays, digital signage and a 4D educational theatre providing information and guidance to visitors. It gives an opportunity for real close-ups encounters with wildlife.

6. Picnic Place

Etawah Lion Safari Park is a good place for a family picnic with kids. You can bring your own food and have a picnic at several spots. There is canteen as well inside the park where you can enjoy your meal. It has a lot of space for parking, reasonable price, Buses are neat and clean, jungle streets are very comfortable. The park is also a good ambience all around for taking some good photographs. The views are very beautiful both from the outside and inside. It is built in a large area on the outskirts of Etawah city.

Etawah Safari Park Photos: Tank & Steam Locomotive

Best Time to visit Etawah Safari Park

Visiting Etawah Safari Park during the monsoon season could be disappointing as the animals will be sheltered. The best time to visit the Safari Park is from October to April. If you can afford it, consider taking a private tour; otherwise, a bus tour is ok.

Etawah Safari Park Ticket Price

There are three types of tickets available in Etawah Safari Park i.e., Safari Tour with A.C. Bus, Safari Tour with Non A.C. Bus and 4D Theatre Movie Tickets.

Discount on Combo Tickets available for Safari Tour Bus and 4D Theatre Movie.
Special discount for Kids 6yrs. to 12 yrs.
10% discount on group booking minimum 20 tickets.
Safari Bus Tour tickets include both safari entry and bus ride.

The entry ticket prices inclusive of safari charges for Indian tourists and foreign tourists at this wildlife destination are as follows.

Table: Etawah Safari Park Ticket Price inclusive of safari charges

INDIAN TOURIST
Description	12 Yrs & Above	6 – 12 Yrs.
Entry & Tour Fee (INR)
Non A.C. Vehicle	200	50
A.C. Vehicle	300	100
4D Theater Fee (INR)	150	100
Combo: Entry. Tour & 4D Theatre Fee
Non A.C. Vehicle	300	120
A.C. Vehicle	400	170

FOREIGN TOURIST
Description	12 Yrs. & Above	6 – 12 Yrs.
Entry & Tour Fee (INR)
Non A.C. Vehicle	500	400
A.C. Vehicle	1000	800
4D Theatre Fee (INR)	450	300
Combo: Entry. Tour & 4D Theatre Fee
Non A.C. Vehicle	800	600
A.C. Vehicle	1300	1000

Etawah Safari Park Photos: Lion

Etawah Safari Park Timing

The opening and closing hours for Etawah Lion Safari Park are as follows:

Etawah Safari Park closed every Monday.
Ticket Booking available from 10:00 AM to 04:00 PM.
Opening Timing of safari may be changed due to fog and cold during the winter season. Safari remains open from 8am to 5pm from 16th November to 15th February.Table: Etawah Safari Park Timing

Description	Timing
1 April to 31 October	10:00 AM to 07:00 PM
1 November to 31 March	10:00 AM to 05:00 PM

How to Reach Etawah Safari Park

Etawah Safari Park can be accessed by both road and rail. The nearest railway station is Etawah and it is well-connected by road from Lucknow, Delhi and Agra. It is approximately 280 kilometers from Lucknow and about 250 kilometers from Delhi.

1. By Road:
Etawah Safari Park is located in Etawah, a small city that is a 2-hour drive from Agra, approximately 5 hours from the national capital, New Delhi and about 3 hours from the state capital, Lucknow. Major highways serving Etawah include National Highway-19, the Agra-Lucknow Expressway and National Highway-719. Etawah is well-connected to major cities within the state of Uttar Pradesh and neighboring states through a network of state transport buses.

2. By Rail:
Etawah Safari Park is located approximately 5kilometers from Etawah Junction railway station which lies on the Howrah–Delhi main line and the Kanpur–Delhi section of the Howrah–Gaya–Delhi line. The city is a stoppage of many trains including the Lucknow Swarna Shatabdi Express and the Kanpur New Delhi Shatabdi Expressed.

3. By Air:
• The nearest airport for private jets is Saifai, located 25kilometers away.
• The closest domestic airports are Gwalior which is 108kilometers away and Agra which is 128kilometers away.
• The nearest international airports are Lucknow situated 225kilometers away and Delhi which is 325kilometers away.

Etawah Safari Park Video

Conclusion

Etawah Safari Park is a largest Safari Park located in northern India known for its beautiful and brilliant architecture. Its vision is to create an international-standard ex-situ Lion Breeding Center to boost the captive Asiatic Lion population and raise conservation awareness. The park extends visitor to experience wildlife through various safaris and a 4D theatre. It is also a nice place for a family picnic with kids. So overall a must place for the people who are in Etawah or planning to be in Etawah.

FAQ

a.) What animals are in Etawah Safari Park?
Etawah Safari Park has variety of animals such as lion, bear, deer, antelope and leopard. Start with the antelope safari and observe many antelopes. Then visit the deer safari to explore various types of small and large deer. In the bear safari you’ll find three bears in the Badas enclosure. Next, the very exciting lion safari where four lions roam in open enclosures easily visible from the bus.

b.) What was the ticket of Lion Safari in Etawah?
The fee structure for Indian tourists includes entry and tour fees at 200 INR for non A.C. vehicles and 300 INR for A.C. vehicles for adults. For children between 6yrs. to 12 yrs. 50 INR for non A.C. vehicles and 100 INR for A.C. vehicles. The 4D Theater fee is 150 INR for adults and 100 INR for children and a combo ticket covering entry, tour and 4D theater is available at 300 INR for adults in non A.C. vehicles and 400 INR in A.C. vehicles with corresponding rates of 120 INR and 170 INR for children.

c.) Which sanctuary is near Etawah?
The National Chambal Sanctuary is a 5,400 sq. km protected area situated in northern India. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the critically endangered gharial, the red-crowned roof turtle and the endangered Ganges River dolphin. Situated on the Chambal River near the intersection of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh it was primarily designated in Madhya Pradesh in 1978. It now forms a long, narrow eco-reserve jointly administered by these three states.

d.) Which is the largest safari park in UP?
Established in an area of 350 hectares, Etawah Safari Park formerly called as Etawah Lion Safari is a drive-through safari park in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is one of the largest Safari in Asia and is only safari of the state with a perimeter of 8km. The Entire area of the park is filled with a variety of flora and fauna and protected by a 7800-metre-long buffer boundary wall.

Etawah Safari Park Location

History of Etawah Lion Safari: From Forest Restoration to Safari Park

Etawah Safari Park Map

Vision of Etawah Safari Park