Wildlife Sanctuaries Rajasthan is known as a dry , arid destination with the popular Thar Desert as well. Nevertheless, the largest state of this India is still very rich in biodiversity and is blessed with a range of vegetation and a host of species of animals and birds. In reality, Rajasthan is one of India’s top Tiger Spotting and Birdwatching destinations.
The state has semi-green forests; mountainous terrains; dry grasslands; dry deciduous thorn forest and even wetlands for a flourishing ecosystem of wildlife. There are about 480 plant and trees species which can be found in Rajasthan. It is also home to a host of national parks Wildlife Sanctuaries Rajasthan, wildlife sanctuaries, and bird sanctuaries making it India’s top wildlife vacation destinations.
Rajasthan offers Ranthambore National Park and Sariska National Park for tiger spotting while UNESCO World Heritage Site Keoladeo National Park along with Tal Chhapar, Van Vihar and Jorbeed make the best destinations in the state for bird watching. The Desert National Park is home to Great Indian Bustard, critically endangered species. In addition to these, Rajasthan is home to a large number of leopards, blackbuck, great spotted Indian eagle, and marsh crocodiles Wildlife Sanctuaries Rajasthan.
Top National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries Rajasthan
Wildlife sanctuaries are areas of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural or zoological significance within any reserve forest or territorial waters. The Sanctuary is proclaimed for the protection, propagation or growth of wildlife or its environment. Rajasthan has 25 sanctuaries for wildlife that abide by its special & diversified plant & animal life Wildlife Sanctuaries Rajasthan.
Ranthambore National Park – Sawai Madhopur
When you’re talking about wildlife in Rajasthan, the name appears in your mind is Ranthambore National Park. That’s because it is one of India’s best tiger-seeing destinations. Situated in the district of Sawai Madhopur, this national park has a lot to see for you, it covers an area of 1334 sq. Kilometre. In addition to the tigers, you can also see leopard, board, mugger crocodile, rhesus macaque, gray langur, sloth bear, striped hyena, sambar and several species of birds. Every year, the footfall in this national park rises and it continues to draw nature lovers and wildlife photographers around the globe Wildlife Sanctuaries Rajasthan.
Salient features of the park-
• Rocky terrain with lakes, streams, and tropical dry deciduous forests.
• Closest airport of Jaipur is only 160 km away, road and rail connectivity with major cities.
• Attractions include a temple at high altitude and Aravali ranges.
• Online booking of safari is available.
Best time to visit – From November to March
Sariska Tiger Reserve, Alwar
The tiger reserve that is a part of the ecoregion and Aravalli Range of Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests. Sariska tiger reserve covers an area of 881 km2 and in 1978 became a part of Tiger Project. It became officially a national park in 1990, and boasts of becoming the world’s first sanctuary with successfully relocated tigers. It is abundant both with a great variety of wildlife species in terms of flora and fauna. The park is home to honey badger, rhesus macaque, tiny Indian civet, wild boar, golden jackal, javan mongoose, ruddy mongoose, caracal, jungle cat, Indian hare and a flourishing birddom as well as the Bengal Tiger Wildlife Sanctuaries Rajasthan.
Salient features of the park-
• Temple of Neelkanth and Pandupol Hanumanji Temple is inside the park.
• Bijak ki Pahadi, Sariska Palace, and Kankwadi Fort as well.
• Nearest airport of Jaipur is only 162 km away, buses and trains are also available.
• Comprises of a water body, a large variety of fauna and hills as well.
Best time to visit : November to March
Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur
Also known as the Keoladeo Ghana National Park or Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, this location is a major attraction for worldwide ornithologists. It is home to 366 bird species, and a World Heritage Site as well. Another interesting thing about this park is that in 1971, it is a man-made and man-managed wetland that became officially a protected sanctuary. Wildlife Sanctuaries Rajasthan In addition to the birds there are 7 species of turtles and amphibians, 5 species of lizards, 13 species of snakes and 379 species of flowering plants. Peter Scott, the founder of the World Wildlife Fund, considered Keoladeo one of the world’s best bird-watching destinations.
Salient features of the park-
• Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and Ramsar Wetland site.
• Heaven for bird-watchers and nature lovers
• Closer destination for tourists visiting Jaipur and Agra.
• Good facilities to stay in the vicinity.
• Boating is also available in the rainy season.
Best time to visit – October to February
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumbhalgarh
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in the Rajasthan district, occupies an area of 610,528 km2 (236 sq mi) and spreads across the Aravalli Range as well. It is also a member of the Kathiawar-Gir ecoregion of dry deciduous forests and rises to an elevation of 4,300 ft. This has been one of the locations chosen for the reintroduction of the Asian lion, and many species already live here. Also the tract is very diverse and includes hills, plains, and piedmonts along with a Castle. Wildlife Sanctuaries Rajasthan The animals you can see here include leopard, chausingha, chinkara, sloth bear, golden jackal, red spurfowl, golden oriole, kingfisher with white breasts, etc.
Salient features of the park-
• Safari is available with jeep, horses or on foot as well.
• Chance of visiting the historical Kumbhalgarh fort as well.
• Chance to see a large variety of flora and fauna
• High probability of spotting the Indian leopard
Best time to visit – October to March
Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary, Kota
It is part of Darrah National Park which consists of three wildlife sanctuaries, the other two of which are Jawahar Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary. Like many other wildlife zones in Rajasthan, this one is also part of the ecoregion of Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests. Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary, along with a few other sanctuaries in the State The reintroduction of Asian lions was also considered. Spread over 278 km, this sanctuary provides habitat for a wide range of species including nilgai, sloth bear, porcupine, jungle cat, Bengal fox, golden jackal, striped hyena, Indian leopard, pangoline, wild boar, caracal, spotted deer, and four-cornered antelope.
Salient features of the park-
• Amazing jungle safari to see several species
• Chance to witness a large variety of birds as well
• Facility of trekking is also available here
• A large variety of flora for nature lovers
Best time to visit – October to March
Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, Mount Abu
It is one of the world’s wildlife sanctuaries at high altitudes, spanning a total area of 6 km (3.7 mi) in width and 19 km (12 mi ) in length. One of the notable characteristics is that it stretches out into a plateau and reaches an altitude of 5,650 ft (1,722 m), the highest point in the Aravali Range called Guru Shikhar. In addition to being part of the Kathiawar-Gir ecoregion of dry deciduous forests, Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is habitat for 157 species of monocots, 663 species of dicots along with a rich fauna. The species includes Indian crested porcupine, Indian hedgehog, black mongoose, pangolin, langur, mouse, jackal, wolf, jungle cat, sambar, leopard, and so on Wildlife Sanctuaries Rajasthan.
Salient features of the park-
• A great variety of flora and fauna is available
• One of the oldest sanctuaries in Aravalli with high altitude
• The rocks here are igneous with large cavities on them
• Camping and trekking also possible here
Best time to visit – November to February; April to June
Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary, Pratapgarh
Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 422,95 square kilometers and stretches over three distinct geographical locations: the Aravali Range, the Vindhyachal Hills and the Malwa Plateau. It became officially a protected area in 1979, and is situated between Chittaurgarh and Pratapgarh districts. Wildlife Sanctuaries Rajasthan The sanctuary receives 756 mm of rainfall per annum and is 600 meters above sea level. As well as fauna and other mammals, it is mainly known for being home to a huge variety of birds. It is also part of the Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Initiative, and includes an eminent spot named Lakhiya Bhata where you can see prehistoric drawings etched on rocks.
Salient features of the park-
• Comprises of Valmiki Ashram, temples of Hanuman and Sitamata
• Sighting of prehistoric engravings at Lakhiya Bhata
• Chance to see a huge variety of birds
• Easy to reach from many cities of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh
Best time to visit – October to March
Kaila Devi Wildlife Sanctuary, Karauli
Kaila Devi Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of Ranthambore and falls in Rajasthan’s Karauli district, covering an area of 674 sq km. Inside the sanctuary there are two rivers flowing, from the west it is River Banas and to the southeast it is Chambal. Wildlife Sanctuaries Rajasthan It was named for the local deity temple “Kailadevi” in a village with the same name. You can also spot, sambar, Indian wolf along with a great number of birds. Sloth bear, striped hyena, panther, wild boar, Bengal tiger, chinkara, jackal, etc. It officially became a sanctuary in 1983, and has since been a potential attraction for both domestic and international tourists.
Salient features of the park-
• Breathtaking view of both Chambal and Banas rivers
• Giving you a glimpse of Ramthambore’s wildlife
• Providing suitable habitat to diverse flora and fauna
• Enjoy an adventurous safari on jeep or canter
Best time to visit – September to March
National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, Kota
A protected tri-state area with an area of 5,400 km2 (21,00 sq mi), National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at the Chambal River Tripoint which also touches Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It is home to critically endangered species such as the dolphin on the river Ganges, red-crowned roof tortoise, and gharial. All three governments announced their Separate parts of the river in various years as protected areas. This was done by Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh in 1979, and it was done by Madhya Pradesh under the 1972 Wildlife Conservation Act. Wildlife Sanctuaries Rajasthan Besides the centered animals, you can also see all the major mammal and bird animals that can be found in the other wildlife areas of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
Salient features of the park-
• Boating is available from various entry points.
• Chance to spot endangered species like Gangetic dolphin, gharial, and turtles.
• Other attractions include Ater Fort built in the 17th century.
• A large variety of birds and mammals are also there
Best time to visit – September to June
Jaisamand Sanctuary, Udaipur
Also known as Lake Dhebar or Lake Jaisamand due to the proximity of the body of water to the sanctuary. Obviously the most remarkable fact about the Jaisamand Sanctuary is the water body which is the second-largest artificial lake in India. The sanctuary stretches 162 km and offers you the chance to see Rajasthan ‘s wildlife at close range. The beauty and characteristics of the lake make this place more appealing, it also includes 3 islands with 10 to 40 acres (160,000 m2) of area each. Being a part of dry deciduous forests of Kathiawar-Gir, it is habitat for a large number of migratory birds along with mongoose, four-horned antelope, deer , wild boar, panther, etc.
Salient features of the park-
• Chance to see the second-largest artificial lake in India
• Enjoy boating and wildlife safari both
• Connected to all the major cities through air, road and railways
• Comprises of a large variety of flora and fauna
Best time to visit – November to April
