10 Best Offbeat Wildlife Places In Rajasthan Are you a wildlife enthusiast or someone planning a thrilling holiday trip in Rajasthan? If yes, then the exotic wildlife of Rajasthan calls you for an unforgettable journey and holiday experience. With over plethora of wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan has made it the best place to plan holidays with family or friends. From the beautiful dry grasslands of the desert to the deciduous forests of Aravali Hills, the varied topography attracts many migratory birds.
Witness the rich flora and fauna species while getting around on a jungle safari in a wildlife reserve. When traveling in Rajasthan, one must visit to enjoy a great time amidst the lush greenery and wildlife. Explore these Top 10 Wildlife Sanctuaries in Rajasthan where you can enjoy the wilderness of this beautiful state.
Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary – Bikaner
Bikaner is famous for its heritage and culture city and forms a major connection between the Golden Triangle. However, the place has also given home to vivid flora and fauna in the form of Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary, which is one of the many places to visit in Bikaner. The sanctuary was formerly a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Bikaner. The sanctuary attracts nature enthusiasts who want to explore the desert wildlife. Slowly but steadily, the sanctuary is gaining popularity with fauna like black buck, wildfowl, antelope, nilgai, deer, chinkara and desert fox.
Ideal for: Nature photographers, wildlife enthusiasts
Ideal trip duration: 2-3 hours
Location: Gajner, Bikaner, Rajasthan 3343
Best time to visit: November to February
How to reach: You may hire a cab or auto from any part of the city or take an adventurous camel ride to reach the sanctuary.
Staying Options: Gajner Palace, Sai Hotel
Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary – Kota
For wildlife lovers, the Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary is a perfect excuse for an excursion.The beauty of the forests and wildlife will impress you very much. The wildlife sanctuary was declared a protected reserve in the year 1955. In earlier times, the land where the sanctuary rests was a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Kota. With an uncountable number of tigers, rhinos and deers and widespread forest area, this was heaven. Presently, you can still find tigers, leopards, antelopes, nilgai and sloth bears.
Ideal for: Nature lovers, families
Ideal trip duration: 3 hours
Location: Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary
Best time to visit: October to March
How to reach: Being just 50 km from Kota, the sanctuary is easily accessible by bus and taxi.
Staying Options: Bhainsrorgarh Fort Hotel, Royal Heritage Hotel, Country Inn & Suites
Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary – Karauli
The Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan and an extension to the Ranthambore National Park. When Ranthambore was declared as a national park in 1980, the adjacent vast grasslands were by default converted into sanctuaries that they are today. The sanctuary serves as an example among environmentalists for forest protection resolutions. The sanctuary has a dry deciduous vegetation throughout except those near the Chambal ravines.
Ideal for: Wildlife enthusiasts, friends
Ideal trip duration: 2 hours
Location: Chaube Ki Guwari, Rajasthan 322243
Best time to visit: September to March
How to reach: Since the sanctuary is close to Jaipur, a bus or taxi from any part of the city is highly recommended to reach.
Staying Options: Bhanwar Vilas Palace, Ramathra Fort, Hotel Prakash
National Chambal Sanctuary – Kota
The National Chambal Sanctuary is a 2,100 square mile tri-state protected area specially built to protect the red-crowned roof turtle, the endangered Ganges river dolphin and the gharial. The beautiful Chambal river cuts through the sanctuary and runs at a point where the three states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh combine. The majority of the sanctuary is limited to the waters and therefore the fauna too. Smooth-coated otters, tortoises, fish, mugger crocodile, Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle and other water mammals are found in majority.
Ideal for: Family, friends
Ideal trip duration: 2 hours
Location: Dholpur, Rajasthan 328001; the sanctuary also runs through Morena in Madhya Pradesh and Agra in Uttar Pradesh
Best time to visit: October to March
How to reach: A bus from Agra is the best and most convenient option to reach the sanctuary.
Staying Options: Fateh’s Retreat, Ranthambhore Regency, Hotel Tiger Haveli
Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary – Bundi
The Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary is located just 15 km from Bundi and is home to a variety of flora and fauna. The sanctuary acts as a buffer zone for the Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary houses many wild predators including panthers, tigers, hyenas, antelopes and wild boars. The sanctuary also has widespread vegetation including mango, dhok, salar and khair trees. For visiting the sanctuary, you need to take a special permission from the forest department 10 Best Offbeat Wildlife Places In Rajasthan.
Ideal for: Friends, nature lovers
Ideal trip duration: 2 hours
Location: Bherupura Antri, Rajasthan 323001
Best time to visit: September to May
How to reach: With just 15 km from Bundi city, a bus or private taxi will easily ferry you to the sanctuary.
Staying Options: Hadoti Palace Bundi, Ishwari Niwas Palace Bundi, Hotel Bundi Haveli
Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary – Chittoragarh
The Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary is stretched over the western border of Vindhyachal mountains covering a total area of 15,290 hectares. The picturesque grasslands and vivid landscape of the sanctuary is a delight for nature lovers. You can find a variety of wildlife including panthers, jackals, hyenas, cheetah, antelopes, mongoose and wild boars. The Bassi and Orai dam are also some important attractions of the sanctuary 10 Best Offbeat Wildlife Places In Rajasthan.
Ideal for: Friends, families, nature lovers
Ideal trip duration: 3 hours
Location: Bassi, Rajasthan 312022
Best time to visit: October to February
How to reach: The sanctuary is well accessible from Chittorgarh so a hired taxi or bus is very much recommended to travel.
Staying Options: Bassi Fort Palace, Chittorgarh Fort Haveli, Lake Nahargarh Palace
Jaisamand Sanctuary – Udaipur
The picturesque city of hills, valleys and lakes welcomes you to one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan. The sanctuary is located on the banks of Dhebar or Jaisamand lake, which is the second largest artificial lake in Asia. The entire sanctuary of 52 square kilometer roams around the lake and consists of a variety of fauna and flora. The shores are covered with teak forests while the fauna is widespread including chital, langur, crocodiles, turtles and fishes.
Ideal for: Friends, family
Ideal trip duration: 3-4 hours
Location: Jaisamand , Rajasthan 313905
Best time to visit: July and August
How to reach: The sanctuary is very easily accessible by road from Udaipur so hire a taxi or take the local bus.
Staying Options: Jaisamand Island Resort, Karni Mahal, The Royal Retreat Resort & Spa
Tal Chhapar Sanctuary – Churu
Do you want to surprise yourself with grasslands in the heart of the Thar? Then the Tal Chhapar Sanctuary is the best bet for you. Located in the Shekhawati region of Churu district, the sanctuary is an important resting ground for the endangered blackbuck. Though small in size, the sanctuary has rich biodiversity where you can spot several other animals including desert cats, chinkara and migratory birds from Siberia. It is one of the finest weekend getaways from Jaipur, located just 200 km away 10 Best Offbeat Wildlife Places In Rajasthan.
Ideal for: Wildlife enthusiasts, family, friends
Ideal trip duration: 3 hours
Location: Beer Chhapar Rural, Churu, Rajasthan 331502
Best time to visit: November to February
How to reach: With Jaipur being the closest city, a bus or hired taxi would be the best way to reach the sanctuary
Staying Options: Tal Chhapar Forest Rest House, Manu Homestay, Hotel Chandan Palace
Desert National Sanctuary – Jaisalmer
Situated close to Jaisalmer, this is another major Sanctuary of Rajasthan. It spreads across 3162 sq kilometers or area forming the largest national park in India. The sanctuary provides an instance of a brilliant desert ecosystem. The landscape is also unique. Despite its landscape, the sanctuary is filled with birdlife. The most common birds found here include the Great Indian Bustard, kestrels, sand grouse, laggard falcons, tawny eagles, spotted eagles, vultures, falcons, harrier, short-toed eagles, buzzards, and eagles.
You will also find a great collection of animal and plant fossils about 180 million years old. The most common animals you will see in the national park include blackbucks, chinkara, hedgehogs, desert cats, wolves, and Bengal foxes. However, the Great Indian Bustard happens to be the main attraction of the park 10 Best Offbeat Wildlife Places In Rajasthan.
Ideal for: Family, friends
Ideal trip duration: 2 hours
Location: Myajlar Road, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan 345001
Best time to visit: October to mid-March
How to reach: Jaisalmer railhead is the nearest railhead to Desert National Park
Staying Options: Damodra Desert Camp, Winds Desert Camp, Mehar Safari Camp
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary – Kumbhalgarh
The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places to visit in Kumbhalgarh. It is located in the district of Rajsamand in Rajasthan. It covers an area of about 578 sq km while surrounding the borders of the Kumbhalgarh Fort. In this sanctuary, you will find a wide variety of animals, out of which many of them are endangered species. The animals you will get to see in the sanctuary in abundance include chinkaras, hares, four-horned antelopes, sambhar, nilgai, jungle cats, sloth bears, hyenas, wolves, and leopards.
The sanctuary is also the home of a large variety of birds including grey jungle fowl, doves, bulbuls, peacocks, white-breasted kingfisher, golden oriole, pigeons, and parakeets. The natural beauty of the sanctuary is what attracts visitors from all over the world to this place 10 Best Offbeat Wildlife Places In Rajasthan.
Ideal for: Family, friends
Ideal trip duration: 2 hours
Location: Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan 313325
Best time to visit: October to march
How to reach: people can reach Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary by road via the NH-76 from Udaipur.
Staying Options: Ramada Resort, The Kumbha Residency, Royal Kumbhalgarh Villas