Best National Parks in Rajasthan For A Wildlife Adventure

Known For : Ranthambore Tiger Reserve Jeep Safari Ranthambore Ranthambhore Fort

One of the best national parks in Rajasthan, Ranthambore National Park is one of the best tiger reserves of the country, known to have "friendly" tigers and the chances of sighting one here are reasonably better than many other tiger reserves of India. Along with this Ranthambore has one of the richest flora and fauna making it an absolute must-visit.

Best Time: October to Apr

20 Ranthambore Attractions

Keoladeo National Park, formerly known as Bharatpur National Park in Rajasthan is a famous bird-watching paradise and is listed among UNESCO's World Heritage sites as well; The 29 km reserve is locally known as Ghana and is a mosaic of dry grasslands, woodlands, woodland swamps, and wetlands. These diverse habitats are home to 366 bird species, 379 floral species, 50 species of fish, 13 species of snakes, 5 species of lizards, 7 amphibian species, 7 turtle species, and a variety of other invertebrates. Every year thousands of migratory waterfowl visit the park for winter breeding.

Situated near the town of Jaisalmer, Desert National Park in Rajasthan is among the largest in the country, encompassing an area of 3162 sq kms. The park covers a huge area extending from Jaisalmer/Barmer all the way to the India-Pakistan border. In spite of being right in the middle of an arid, dry, and sandy desert, the desert national park presents a wonderful opportunity to see wildlife such as camels, desert fox, Bengal fox, chinkara, wolves, desert cat, and the Blackbuck.

Nestled in the Aravali Hills over an area of about 800 sq. Km covering the grasslands, dry deciduous forests, cliffs and rocky landscape, lays the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan. It is now known as The Sariska Tiger Reserve. This area was once a hunting preservation ground of The Maharaja of Alwar. This reserve is one of the most majestic national parks in Rajasthan and is known for its Royal Bengal Tigers. It is the first tiger reserve to relocate the Tigers (from Ranthambore) successfully. As it lies in the lap of Aravali Hills, it holds an abundant amount of mineral resources like copper.

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary of Rajasthan covers a total surface area of 578 sq km and stretches across the Aravalli ranges, encircling parts of Udaipur, Rajsamand, and Pali. The wildlife sanctuary encompasses the historic Kumbhalgarh Fort and is also named after the fort. This hilly dense forest of Kumbhalgarh will definitely prove to be a pleasant surprise for those who consider Rajasthan a desert state. The green tract of the park forms a dividing line between the two different parts of Rajasthan; Mewar and Marwar.

The breathtaking Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan boasts of rich biodiversity which adds it to the list of must-visit places in the tiny hamlet. The sanctuary is one of the oldest parts of the Mount Abu mountain ranges and is the origin of numerous sightseeing points with exquisite views. It was given the status of a wildlife sanctuary in 1960 to preserve flora and fauna of the entire region and is, therefore, an important eco-tourism spot. The sanctuary is a floral beauty with a vibrant vegetative cover of evergreen forests. It is the perfect place if you wish to witness the best of wildlife in Rajasthan in their natural habitat combined with a thrilling experience.

Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan is situated around 56 kms away from Kota near Bundi. The sanctuary boasts of rich wildlife and is home to asiatic elephant, sambar deer, elks etc among several other exotic animal and plant species. The sanctuary is mostly popular for wildlife safaris, treks and sightseeing. Initially, it was used as a hunting ground by the Royal families.

Machia Biological Park in Rajasthan is an essential part of the agenda for nature lovers travelling to Jodhpur. Located about 8.5 km from the city, this biological wonderland is a part of the vast Machia forest block, situated close to the Kaylana Lake. It is a host to varied species of flora and fauna as well as a nature interpretation centre and the Machia Fort. Along with the enclosures for the animals, one can also find a birdwatching point, proof of the site's fantastic biodiversity.

Spread across 719 hectares, Talchappar Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan was declared as a reserve land in 1962. Talchappar has a unique ecosystem, with mostly grass covering the land, it falls on the way of many migratory birds who while flying back to their home, stay on for a while or for an entire season.

Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, barely 5 kilometres away from the Bassi Fort Palace and is an important natural reserve of the state. This wildlife sanctuary in Rajasthan expands over an area of 150 square kilometres on the west border of the Vindhyachal Mountain Ranges and many water channels and lakes that are essential for the vegetation. It is home to a variety of flora and fauna in the region. The forest is dry deciduous and has trees like the Dhok, Churel, Butea along with a variety of medicinal herbs and flowering plants. Tourists can go on a jeep safari arranged by the forest officials. Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary is often visited by nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts to study animals and birds in their natural habitat.