A New Vision for Urban Wildlife
In a move poised to transform the city's landscape, Lucknow is developing India's first night safari within the Kukrail Reserve Forest. This pioneering project, which recently received clearance from the Supreme Court, aims to blend conservation, education,
and tourism on a grand scale. The safari is inspired by world-renowned attractions like the one in Singapore, but it is set to be the largest of its kind, sprawling over a significant portion of the 2,027-hectare forest. The initiative represents a major step forward in creating urban eco-tourism hubs, allowing residents and visitors to experience the magic of the wild after dark, right on the city's outskirts.
What Makes a Night Safari Different?
Unlike a traditional zoo or daytime safari, this experience is designed around the natural biological clocks of nocturnal creatures. Many predators and other species are most active after sunset, and a night safari allows visitors to observe them during these peak hours. The entire park will use a specialised, low-impact lighting system that simulates moonlight, ensuring animals are not disturbed while remaining visible to guests. Visitors will travel through the park on quiet, battery-operated trams during a journey of around 40 minutes, creating an immersive experience that feels less like a zoo and more like a genuine forest expedition.
The Inhabitants of the Night
The core of the experience will be the animals themselves, housed in expansive, naturalistic enclosures instead of traditional cages. These habitats are designed as theme-based zones, such as the African Savanna and Indian Wetlands, incorporating native vegetation, grasslands, and rock formations to mimic their natural environments. The proposed lineup of species is impressive, featuring majestic big cats like Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers, and leopards. Visitors can also expect to see sloth bears, hyenas, flying squirrels, and various deer species. The existing gharial conservation and rehabilitation centre, for which Kukrail is already known, will also be integrated into the larger park.
More Than Just a Safari
The project is far more ambitious than just the night safari itself. The master plan includes the development of a modern day zoo for diurnal animals and a dedicated eco-tourism zone. In addition to wildlife viewing, the complex will feature a host of attractions, including a 7D theatre, an interpretation centre for educational programmes, nature trails, and even adventure activities like a skywalk. An earlier proposal to relocate the entire existing Lucknow Zoo to Kukrail has been modified, but the new site will still function as a comprehensive zoological park, adding significant depth to the visitor experience.
A Landmark for Conservation and Tourism
The Kukrail Night Safari is positioned as a landmark project for both tourism and wildlife conservation in Uttar Pradesh. By creating a world-class attraction, the government aims to put Lucknow on the global eco-tourism map. The facility will also serve as a crucial centre for conservation breeding and research, particularly focusing on the behaviour of nocturnal animals. The project, which involves a significant investment, is expected to be completed in phases. Construction is projected to finish by mid-2026, with the safari potentially opening its doors to visitors by the end of that year, heralding a new era for wildlife encounters in India.
