Having been named the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, which is an important component of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh, the Sanctuary offers some of the most original jungle safari tours in the entire Terai region. The sanctuary is also spread in thick Sal forests, grasslands, wetlands, and riverine habitats, the sanctuary is divided into safari zones whereby the visitors are able to discover its wilderness in a well-organized and friendly environmentally friendly manner. Of these, Zone 1 and Zone 2 (Nishangara Range) are the most well-known and satisfying region to be explored in a safari, which imply a unique experience.

The first and most convenient safari zone in Katarniaghat is the Zone 1 which is the most visited and best suited to first time visitors, families and wildlife enthusiasts, who have limited time. This is the area where the visitors get exposed to the rich biodiversity of this sanctuary with maintained forest tracks where Sal forests, grasslands, and wetlands patches are found.

Zone 1 has a jungle safari, which provides great chances of sighting swamp deer (barasingha), spotted deer, wild boar, nilgai, and langurs, and jackals. Larger predators such as leopard or even the mighty Bengal tiger are also likely to be seen, with some success, by the visitor, upon their early morning or late afternoon safari. Bird calls fill the air in the forest, though, and Zone 1 is the most appealing area of hikers who want to see birds. They are usually seen with kingfishers, peafowl, storks, eagles, owls, and migratory birds.

Zone 1 safari is typically less time based and thus comfortable and enjoyable to families with kids or senior tourists. The safari, which is conducted by trained forest guides and drivers, is both safe and informative, giving one knowledge about the behavior of wildlife, the ecology of the forest, and conservation activities. Zone 1 is an ideal compromise of adventure, convenience, and panoramic splendor, especially to photographers and nature enthusiasts.

Zone 2 - Nishangara Range is the best option to those who want to get a deeper and more adventurous wildlife experience. This area is characterized by wilderness, little human interference and long safari trail that indeed makes tourists plunge into the nature. Nishangara jungle safari is a 45 kilometers long journey that needs approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes; it is one of the longest routes of the safari in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve terrain.

Zone 2 moves through thick Sal woodland, tall elephant grass, riverine belts and remote forest interiors, thus creating high possibilities of large mammal sighting. This area is regarded to be a powerful tiger habitat and they have higher chances of seeing Bengal tigers, leopards and Asian elephants in this region than in other regions. Swamp deer, wild boars, langurs, and rhesus macaques are also a usual sight and the forest floor habitually displays pugmarks and predator traces.

Nishangara safari is also considered a highlight thanks to its location in the Girwa River, where tourists can also see endangered gharial, marsh crocodile, freshwater turtles, and in some cases, the Gangetic dolphin. Zone 2 has extremely high birdlife and is a haven of avian delight and wildlife photographers. The zone is further lured with rare species like the Bengal florican, black-necked stork, fish eagles and hornbills.

Owing to its duration and scenery, the Zone 2 safari is suitable to adventure enthusiasts, photographers, scientists, and experienced wildlife tourist to experience the wildlife in a slow, close-up way. The very peaceful and undisturbed air of Nishangara provides the real feeling that we are in the middle of the jungle.

Each of these safari areas is unique and is serving a purpose. Zone 1 is ideal to make a comfortable entry into the wildlife and the landscape of Katarniaghat, whereas Zone 2 Nishangara is a more serious, time-laden, and adventurous excursion into the very depths of the forest. Tourists who have time to visit the park are advised to take the two zones in order to enjoy the richness of Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.

By taking the convenient walks of the Zone 1 or venturing into the exciting territories of Zone 2 Nishangara, a jungle safari in Katarniaghat will be an experience that you are bound to keep in mind forever, as well as experience a close encounter with nature and its wilderness instead of the Terai forests.