Dulahazara Safari Park
Type: Park
Contributed By: Nayeem
Brief
Dulahazara Safari Park was developed on an undulating landscape of around 2,224 acres (9.00 km2) of area at Chakaria Upazila in Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh, some 107 km away from the port city, Chittagong, with an objective to create facilities for eco-tourism, research work and entertainment aside from conserving wild animals in a natural environment.
Dulahazara Safari Park is home to at least 4,000 animals of 165 species. After the new government took over in January 2007, joint forces rescued many of these new residents of the park during their drives at houses and establishments owned by graft suspects. Many individuals also donated some of the animals to the park during this period. The seized and donated animals recently sent to the park include 90 spotted deer, 42 barking deer, three sambar deer, one freshwater crocodile, onesaltwater crocodile, nine black bears, four pythons, 17 peacocks, 19 Turkish pheasants and two emus.
An other source of animals is the Dhaka Zoo. While the animal population in Dhaka zoo has increased over the years due to their breeding, the Dhaka zoo donates a number of lions and tigers to the Dulahazara Safari Park.
How to go
This park is located at Chakaria Upazila in Cox’s Bazar district with around 2,224 acres of area (9 sq. km2), around 107 km away from Chittagong port city. From Dhaka, you should take the bus going to Cox’s Bazar and reach the Chakaria Upazila in Dulahazara Union. The park is near before the Dulahazara bus stand. Also, from Cox’s Bazar, you can hire Zeep or other available vehicle to reach the park.
How To Reach: Cox’s Bazar District
Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar are linked by road. You can take a bus from Dhaka to reach Cox’s Bazar. Some of the bus services are listed below for your assistance:
1. Green Line
Contact: 0341-62533
2. Hanif Enterprise
Contact: 0341-64170
3. Shamoli Paribahan
Contact: 0443449934
4. Shohag Paribahan
Contact: 0341-64361
5. S Alam Paribahan
Contact: 0341-62902
6. Shah Bahadur
Contact: 01678064880
7. Saint Martins
Contact: 01726520095
Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar are linked by air. Some of the airline services from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar are listed below for your help.
1. United Bangladesh Airways
Contact: Phone: 09606445566, Ext: 542-48
Plane ticket fare starts from BDT 5925
2. Novo Air
Contact: 09666722224, 029871891-2
Plane Ticket fare starts from BDT 6600
3. Regent Airways
Plane ticket fare starts from BDT 5800
Contact: 028953003 or 16238
Where to Stay
The accommodation facilities in Cox’s Bazar are remarkable. There are several great hotels in the region. Some of the hotels/motels in Rangamati are listed below for your assistance.
1. Hotel Seagull
Hotel Motel Zone
Cox’s Bazar Sea Beach,Cox’s Bazar
Tel: +88 0341 62480 – 90
Cell: +88 01766666530, +88 0176666653
2. Hotel Sea Palace
Kalatoli Road, Cox’s Bazar
Phone: 880-341-63692, 63792, 63794, 63826, and 63853
Mobile: 01714652227-8, 01979405051-2
3. Saint Martin Resort
Plot # ten, Block- a, Kalatoli Road, Cox’s Bazar
Phone: +88-0341-62862, 64275
4. Hotel Sayeman
Hotel Sayeman Road, Cox’s Bazar
Cell: +88-01711-022088
Phone: +88-0341-63900 -4, 63703 -7
5. Hotel Sea Crown
Marin Drive, Kola Toil New Beach
Telephone: 0341-64795, 0341-64474
Mobile: 01817 089420
Things to do
The park itself protects a large number of wild elephants which are native to the area. In the safari park there are domesticated elephants which are available for a ride. Other animal attractions include lions, Bengal tigers, crocodiles, bears, spotted deer and many types of birds and monkeys.
Since the park was made open to the public, it has been drawing a huge crowd all year round — 6,000 visitors daily during peak season (November to March) and 2,000 visitors daily during off season (April to October).
Eating Facilities
Make sure you are carrying your own food and water.
