Desert National Park

Desert National Park in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, a state in India is known for providing a similar ecosystem as the Thar Desert. This National park is located a few kilometres from Jaisalmer and is surrounded by Sand dunes, rocks and salt lakes. Various types of birdlife species can be found in this park, even the endangered Great Indian Bustard bird species are being protected in this national park. It is one of the largest National Parks in India with a variety of fossils discovered over a period of time, even few dinosaur fossils which were around 6 million years old were found in the same national park along with the fossils of other animals and plants.

Gadsisar Lake in the Desert National Park is the only lake where you will be able to find migratory birds. You will be able to view most of the migratory birds during the month of November to January, including the endangered Great Indian Bustard bird species. To enter the Desert National Park, one can choose the Jeep Safari services provided by the government and private tourism companies. With the help of Safari, you will be able to discover and take pictures of the rare bird species present in the National Park. It will also help you cover most of the area of the Desert National Park within minutes or hours (depending upon the time spent by the tourist inside the park). Various types of eagles, vultures, falcons and more can be spotted in this Park.

Flora and Fauna at Desert National Park
Animals: The wildlife found at the park includes the spiny-tail lizard, desert monitors, sandfish, deadly vipers and Krait. Desert and Bengal Foxes are a common feature in the park and can be seen near the karir trees while relishing on berries. Apart from that Blackbuck Antelope, cervicapra Rajputana chinkara (mountain gazelle), Gazeella gazelle, Indian fox Vulpes, Bengalensis and desert cat Felis libyes can also be found.

Birds: Desert national park is a haven for bird watchers. The birds truly are the star species of the park that houses over 120 species of resident as well as migratory birds within its parameters. The endangered Great Indian Bustard can be easily spotted at the here in huge numbers. Apart from that other common birds such as Patridges, Falcons, Eagles, Vultures, Bee-Eaters, Shrikes, Larks, Demoiselle Crane, Macqueen’s Bustard, Sandgrouse, Long-Legged and Honey Buzzards etc. can also be seen. Vultures soaring high in the sky and makes up for a magnificent sight. Larks and wheatears can be spotted in abundant numbers near the waterholes and ponds.

Reptiles: Several members of the reptiles category are found in the park. Some of them are the spiny-tailed lizard, monitor lizard, saw-scaled viper, Russell's viper, common krait.

Vegetation: Vegetation here is sparse and limits itself to patches of sewan grass, aak shrub and cacti. The landscape comprises of craggy rocks, compact salt lake bottom and lots of fixed and shifting dunes.

Best Time To Visit Desert National Park
The best time to visit the park is from October to March. Given the climate, it is not advisable to travel to the region in summers. The daytime temperature remains very high and usually touches around 42 degrees in summer. Nights are relatively cooler, typical of the arid desert climate. Winters in Jaisalmer are comparatively cooler with day temperatures remaining pleasant at around 24 degrees Celcius and the nights are chilly with the temperature falling as low as 7 to 8 degrees Celcius. As Jaisalmer is situated in the middle of Thar Desert, the monsoon is almost negligible. Jaisalmer remains dry for most parts of the year.

How to reach Desert National Park
Air: Though Jaisalmer is not directly connected to Airways, Jodhpur airport which is 300 Km away is the nearest airport. From Jodhpur you can hire Cabs or take a train journey to reach Jaisalmer.
Rail: Jaisalmer railhead is the nearest railhead to Desert National Park. You can also travel to Jaisalmer byë_the exotic Palace on Wheels.
Road: Jaisalmer is well connected to the rest of state by roads. Deluxe & Ordinary buses of Rajasthan Roadways & Private companies run from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bikaner, Barmer, Mount Abu, Jalore, Ahemdabad etc., Roadways main bus stand opposite Railway station & Golden bus terminal near State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, Shiv road, Jaisalmer are the two main bus stands.