3 Places You Must Visit for Best Wildlife in Rajasthan
Read on to know the best places to visit in order to see the flora and fauna in all their glory.
Rajasthan, the land that’s known for its golden sand dunes and large swathes of desert is also abundant with lush green forests and incredible wildlife. Rajasthan’s wildlife harbours a range of rare, endangered and exotic animals and birds. Imagine yourself taking a ride in a jeep and coming face-to-face with a tiger or a panther, this and much more is what you can expect to see while on your encounter with the wild in Rajasthan.
Listed below are some national parks and sanctuaries of Rajasthan, which you should visit if you want to see jungle royalty at its best!
Ranthambore National Park –
Deriving its name from the historic fort located in its environs, Ranthambore was declared a national park in 1980. Later, the surrounding sanctuaries of Sawai Man Singh and Kaldevi were merged to make the area larger with its main focus on preservation of tigers. The most well-known national park in India is the abode of the Bengal tiger, leopards, hyenas, sambar and sloth bears to name a few. The place pulls the attention of every photographer, adventure seeker and nature lover. The park serves you with the best of Rajasthan’s wildlife. Get ready for some “oohhh look”…and some “oh wwoooww”…hair-raising moments as you will be enthralled watching the wild cats in their natural habitat at Ranthambore.
How to reach:
By Air: The nearest airport to the park is located at Jaipur with a distance of about 150 km.
By Rail: The nearest railway station to the park is at Sawai Madhopur with a distance of approximately 11 km.
Best time to visit: 1st October to 30th June every year. The hotter the weather, the better the chances you get to spot wildlife.
Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary –
The sanctuary encompassing the famous Kumbhalgarh fort through which it got its name, was once a royal ground for hunting and was later converted to the wildlife sanctuary as we know it today.
A perfect synonym for Rajasthan’s wildlife, the Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary is among the best wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan. From wild ferocious panthers and jungle cats, to the gentle four-horned antelopes, and flying squirrels, all like to call the sanctuary their home. A treat for wildlife lovers, the Kumbhalgarh sanctuary, is most famous for its wolf sightings as they are often seen strolling near water holes as well as on the green tracts in the sanctuary.
How to reach:
By Air: The nearest airport to the sanctuary is located at Udaipur with a distance of about 105 km.
By Rail: The nearest railway station to the sanctuary is at Falna with a distance of about 50 km.
Best time to visit: 1st October to 31st March. The winter season is the best time to visit the Kumbhalgarh wildlife Sanctuary.
Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur –
A bird paradise, the Keoladeo Ghana national park in Bharatpur was previously known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. The park is called ‘Ghana’ meaning dense in Hindi, due to the foliage and rich vegetation found within the park. It is one of the best bird sanctuaries in Asia and a walk in this park is sure to rejuvenate your mind. The national park is a dwelling place to more than 400 species of both permanent as well as migratory birds. Apart from the resident birds like cranes, storks, pelicans, eagles, hawks, shanks and a plethora of other birds, the park is a migratory home to some of the most exotic and rare birds like the Siberian crane, black-tailed godwit, spotted redshank and the red crested pochard to name a few. The Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur is the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature.
How to reach:
By Air: The nearest airport to the park is located at Agra with a distance of about 45 km.
By Rail: The nearest railway station to the park is located at Bharatpur with a distance of around 5 km.
Best time to visit: August to November is the best time to see the resident birds whereas, October to February is the best time to see migratory birds.
A wildlife tour in Rajasthan is unbeatable and like none other. What are you waiting for? Come visit one of the many national parks or wildlife sanctuaries that Rajasthan has to offer.
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