A Groundbreaking Wildlife Experience
For years, wildlife enthusiasts in India have explored forests and national parks by the light of day. But what happens after sunset? Inspired by Singapore's world-famous attraction, the Kukrail Night Safari in Lucknow aims to answer that question by turning
the traditional safari experience on its head. This ambitious project, recently cleared by the Supreme Court, will allow visitors to see nocturnal creatures during their natural hours of activity. The park will be developed within the sprawling Kukrail Reserve Forest, an area already known for its conservation efforts, including a successful gharial breeding centre. This positions the night safari not just as a tourist attraction, but as a significant step forward for wildlife tourism and conservation in Uttar Pradesh and the entire country.
What to Expect After Dark
The core of the experience will be a guided tour through the park in quiet, battery-operated trams, designed to minimize noise and disturbance to the animals. These 40-minute rides will take visitors through specially designed zones under a unique lighting system that mimics natural moonlight, allowing for clear views without startling the wildlife. Instead of cages, the safari will use naturalistic enclosures with moats or laminated glass barriers to ensure both visitor safety and a more immersive experience. The safari is planned to house an impressive array of animals, including majestic predators like Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers, and leopards, alongside other nocturnal species such as hyenas and flying squirrels, offering a rare look at their after-dark behaviours.
More Than Just a Night Tour
The night safari is the headline act, but it is part of a larger, integrated wildlife project. The master plan for the 855-acre complex also includes a modern day zoo, nature trails, visitor interpretation centres, and facilities for conservation breeding and research. While an initial proposal to relocate the historic Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Park to Kukrail was rejected, the state is still cleared to build a new day zoo on the site. The project also plans for amenities like a 7D theatre and an auditorium to enhance the educational and entertainment value for visitors. This holistic approach aims to create a world-class destination that caters to families, nature lovers, and tourists, making Lucknow a key hub for eco-tourism in India.
A Commitment to Conservation and Safety
The project has undergone extensive environmental and judicial review, with the Supreme Court giving its final go-ahead in July 2026. This approval came with strict conditions to ensure the ecological integrity of the Kukrail Reserve Forest is maintained. The entire project will prioritize sustainability, with plans for the facility to be solar-powered and for 72% of the area to be dedicated to greenery. Construction will be carefully monitored, with periodic inspections to ensure compliance with all environmental safeguards laid down by regulatory bodies like the Central Zoo Authority and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. This ensures the safari not only provides a safe experience for visitors but also operates as a responsible custodian of the forest and its inhabitants.
Planning Your Future Visit
With the final legal hurdles now cleared, construction on the much-awaited project can proceed. Earlier timelines projected an opening by the end of 2026, but the development is extensive. Phase 1 construction is expected to take around two years, which means wildlife enthusiasts can likely mark their calendars for a visit sometime in 2027 or 2028, pending construction progress. Located on the outskirts of Lucknow, the Kukrail Reserve Forest is easily accessible by road from the city's airport and railway stations. For travellers who already flock to Uttar Pradesh for its historic and spiritual sites, the night safari will soon offer a thrilling new reason to extend their stay and explore the wilder side of the state after sunset.
