Rajasthan has several world famous Sanctuaries and National Parks
and a number of other sanctuaries. Some of the most famous sanctuaries and national parks
are Ranthambhore National Park and Sariska Tiger Reserve. These reserves are the original,
hunting reserves of the Maharajas. Other parks and sanctuaries in western Rajasthan, such
as Desert National Park and sanctuary have been established to protect and preserve the
unique plants and animals found in the dry zone.
This is India’s best known bird sanctuary. This sanctuary is usually called Bharatpur. This park features large number of breeding water birds and thousands of migratory birds, including some from Siberia and China. This National Park has been built with cross roads and tracks, which increases opportunities to see the birds, deer and other wildlife. The rikshaw-wallas trained in bird identification, wait outside the park gates to guide visitors through this beautiful park. There is accommodation to suit all budgets, both near the park entrance and in Bharatpur, which is only 5 kms away from the sanctuary. The best time to visit this place is from Oct. to March and from July to August.
This sanctuary is situated in Southern Rajasthan. It is a 62 sq. km. long sanctuary. This sanctuary was established in 1957 adjacent to the artificial Jaisamand Lake. Maharaja Jai Singh built this lake in 17th century. Not only the wide range of wildlife, which can be seen here, but also the lake itself, is worth visiting. It has got beautiful "Chhatries" or cenotaphs around its perimeter. The lake encourages a wide variety of birds, both resident as well as migratory and also crocodiles inhabit it, while the dry forest is home to the Chitah, Leopard, Chinkara and Wild boar. This sanctuary is 48 kms southeast of Udaipur. The best time to visit this sanctuary is from Nov. to June.
Darrah
Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary surrounds 250 sq. km. of dry curcial forest.
This place is 50 km. away from Kota. Here you will find Spotted Deer, Wild boars, Bears,
Sambars, Leopards, Panthers and Antelopes. This sanctuary is open daily from sunrise to
sunset. But is closed during monsoons from early July to mid-September. For visiting this
place you need to take permission from the local forest ranger or contact the District
Forest Office in Kota. The best time to visit this place is from Feb. to May.
National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary
This is another sanctuary in Kota, which is 549-sq. km.
long, and extends in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh. Chambal river, Rajasthan's only enduring
river, surrounds this place. This sanctuary was mainly established to protect the rare
Gharial, a fish eating crocodile, which inhabits the Chambal river. Other wildlife that
can be seen in this sanctuary are Wolves, Chinkaras, Blackbuck, Wild boars and the rarely
seen Caracal. The best time to visit this place is from Oct. to March.
Kumbhalagarh
Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary is nearby the historic fort of Kumbhalgarh, which is at a distance of 84 kms north of Udaipur. It surrounds 560-sq. km. of area in the Aravalli range. This sanctuary is well known for its Wolves, which roam in groups of upto 40 animals. This sanctuary also provides environment to rare Chowsingha, or four-horned Antelope, and also harbors populations of Sloth Bears, Nilgais, Wild boars, Leopards, Panthers, Sambars and jackals. It is one of the few reserves that allow people to enter on horseback. The best time to visit this sanctuary is from Oct. to June.