Benog Wildlife Sanctuary, A Must Visit Destination in Mussoorie

Benog Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of the renowned Rajaji National Park and is located at a distance of about 11 km from the library
point in Mussoorie. The place is mainly known for the rare species of birds that habitats in its area, but the tourists can also enjoy the mesmerizing views of the snow covered peaks of Chaukhamba and Bandar Punch from this place. The sanctuary is set amidst the densely wooded forests and is regarded as one of the top tourist destinations in Mussoorie. 

Attractions

Flora

The Benog Wildlife Sanctuary is set amidst the pine-covered slopes and is abounded by snow covered peaks of the Himalayan ranges. The major part of the sanctuary is covered with fir and pine trees. Besides these, various medicinal plants are also found in this area.

Fauna

The wildlife sanctuary is mainly known for its rare species of bird species. The diverse species of birds found in this area are mountain quails, red-billed blue magpie, white capped water redstart and many more. The sanctuary is also home to different species of wild animals like the deer, leopard, ghurul (goat), panther and Himalayan bear.

Other Attractions

The wildlife sanctuary is also offers opportunities for trek, which allows the visitors to explore the natural vista of the area within and also the surrounding areas.  The place is also popular among the visitors for providing a breath-taking view of sunrise. As the sanctuary is located away from the hassle and crowd of the main town of Mussoorie, the place acts as the perfect destination for the travelers who want to spend some time in solace.

Opening Time: The sanctuary is open on all days of the week from 7 am to 5 pm.

Best Time to Visit

The wildlife sanctuary can be visited throughout the year. Still, the most appropriate time to visit the place is from April to November.

Accommodation

Tourists will have no problem searching for accommodation at this place, as there are plenty of luxury and budget class hotels as well as resorts found in this area. The hotels and resorts are priced at reasonable rates according to the facilities offered by them. Mussoorie also provides home stays for the tourists, which is also a very good option for staying.

How to Reach

By Road: As the sanctuary is located at a distance of about 11 km from Library point in Mussoorie, it can be easily accessed from the hill station by sharing a local taxi or by hiring a car. Mussoorie has a good network of roads that connects the place with several major parts in Uttarakhand, such as Rishikesh, Tehri, Dehradun, Haridwar and few others. The hill station receives regular private and government run buses from these places.

By Air: The nearest airport to this place is Jolly Grant Airport, which is located at a distance of about 60 km from Mussoorie. The airport conducts regular flights to Delhi. Taxis are available from the airport to the hill station.

By Train: The closest railway station to the place is Dehradun Railway Station, which is located at a distance of about 30 km from Mussoorie. The station is well connected by train with various major cities in India. Regular taxis and buses are available from the station to the hill station.