Wildlife as an Upcoming Trend in Rajasthan tourism
Rajasthan has a unique flora and fauna on account of its diverse topography. The cultural practices of the people, adhering to compassion and ahimsa has also contributed to the conservation of wildlife. A huge part of Rajasthan is occupied by Wildlife sanctuaries and National parks. Rajasthan has over 2000 plant species, 87 species of mammals, 114 species of fish, over 500 species of birds and about 81 species of reptiles. Some of the endangered species of wildlife like Tiger, leopard, Great Indian Bustard, and Sloth bear is found here. What makes wildlife as an inevitable part of Rajasthan tour packages is its flourishing biodiversity.
Here we have discussed the most popular wildlife hotspots in Rajasthan
Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore situated in the Sawai Madhopur district is the largest National park in Rajasthan. If you want to get a closer look at the wildlife you can book a jungle safari into any one of the 10 zones (Some zones are restricted) permitted for the general public. You can either book a canter (20seater) or a jeep(6seater). Apart from Tiger, the other animals found in the National park are sloth bears, chitals, hyenas, wild boars, sambars, nilgai, and leopards to name a few. The closest airport and railway station is Jaipur International Airport (153 km) and Sawai Madhopur Junction (10 km).
You can book an outstation tour to Ranthambore that forms part of the Jaipur tour packages.
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Kumbhalgarh wildlife sanctuary is a green stretch of land around the Kumbhalgarh fort lying in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. Kumbhalgarh wildlife sanctuary houses many species like chinkaras, hares, four-horned antelopes, sambhar, nilgai, jungle cats, sloth bears, hyenas, leopards, and wolves. You can either go on trekking into any of the zones of the sanctuary. Else you can also book a jungle safari that takes you through the abandoned road from Kumbhalgarh Fort to Ghanerao, giving an opportunity to see lions and cheetahs. What makes a safari to this sanctuary thrilling is that it houses the relocated Asiatic lions and Cheetahs. Kumbhalgarh wildlife sanctuary forms part of an outstation Udaipur tour package.
The closest airport is Maharana Pratap Airport at Dabok in Udaipur and Falna Railway Station is the nearest railway station (84 km) to Kumbhalgarh.
Sariska Tiger Reserve
Sariska lies in the Alwar district, situated at a distance of 107km from Jaipur. Sariska has a dry deciduous forest type of vegetation conducive for many animals apart from the Royal Bengal tiger. You can see animals like hanuman langurs, wild boars, leopards, four-horned antelope, rhesus monkeys, hares, chinkara, chausingha, nilgai, golden jackals, sambar, striped hyenas, and caracal. Sariska is also good for bird watching housing some of the rare bird species like crested serpent eagle, tree pie, sandgrouse, golden-backed woodpecker, and bush quail.
The nearest airport Jaipur International Airport/Sanganer Airport (110 Km) and Alwar Railway Station (36 km)
Desert National Park
Spanning over an area of 3162 sq km, Desert National park happens to be the largest national park in the country. You can see the most beautiful examples of desert ecology like sand dunes, uneven rock formations, and salt lake bottoms. Wildlife safari gives you an opportunity to witness the wildlife unique to the desert ecology like the Great Indian Bustard, kestrels, sandgrouse, laggar falcons, vultures, harriers and various species of eagles. It also has an impressive collection of other species like chinkara, hedgehogs, blackbucks, wolves, Bengal foxes, desert cats, and desert foxes. Customize your Jaisalmer tour package to include the Desert National park in your itinerary.
The most convenient way to travel to Desert National Park is via railway, Jaisalmer railway station is located at a distance of 40 km.
Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary
Located in the Bharatpur district Keoladeo Ghana bird sanctuary serves as the home to 379 floral and 366 bird species as well as several exotic animals. Keoladeo Ghana also finds a place in the list of world heritage sites owing to its 250 years old existence.
The closest airport to this bird sanctuary is located in Agra about 54 km away and the nearest railway station is Bharatpur Junction located at a distance of 5 km from Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary.
Darrah National Park
Darrah National Park is located at a distance of 80km from Kota in Rajasthan. It is a combination of three wildlife sanctuaries viz. Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary, Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, and Jaswant Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. Book a jeep safari that takes you around the dense forests of the National park. You can also visit the historical places like the Jenana Khana of the fort and Sun Temple in Jhalrapatan.
The closest airport and railway station is located in Kota itself
Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary
Mount Abu lies at a distance of 163km from Udaipur city. There are many things that add up to enhance the beauty of the only hill station of Rajasthan, one of them is definitely the wildlife sanctuary of Mount Abu. Book a safari where you can see hedgehogs, Indian hares, porcupines, mongoose, tigers, pangolin, leopards, bears, langurs, foxes, wild boars, etc. This sanctuary alone has about 250 species of birds and a large collection of orchids and bamboo plants along with other rare plant species. Mount Abu has a unique rock formation on account of weather conditions.
The most convenient way to reach Mount Abu is via rail and Abu Road is the nearest railway station (28 km). You can book for taxi rental services or car rental services from Udaipur to Mount Abu.
Rajasthan has so much to keep you occupied that hours become days inconspicuously. If you are a nature lover, these wildlife reserves give you every reason to visit it atleast once. Book an outstation tour package for all the major cities namely Udaipur, Jaipur, and Jaisalmer. You can also book for vehicle rental services and hotel stay through the Padharo platform.