Rajasthan is a place that not just exists on the map; it openly breathes, royally lives, and gracefully moves like a story opening twists in a slow version. This vast desert land is not just about heritage discoveries; it is also about hands-on exploration of the wildlife here. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the top Rajasthan wildlife destinations, where raw wilderness meets royal landscapes, offering breathtaking encounters with tigers, migratory birds, rare desert species, and blackbucks.
Let’s begin!
Your Ultimate Rajasthan Wildlife Guide
The Rajasthan wildlife is something to be discovered, especially for nature aficionados and thrill seekers. The vast grasslands here shelter some of the phenomenal and rarely found species, with no dearth of deeply engaging experiences.
Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park is one of the most important wildlife sites, often counted among the four pillars of Rajasthan’s wildlife destination. The highlight of visiting this park is the high chance of spotting a Bengal tiger in its natural habitat. For this, most visitors prefer the Ranthambore safari tours, which operate twice a day and are led by professionals who ensure tourists’ highest safety.
This national park was formerly the royal hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur and now thrives as a vast national park. Wildlife encounters, apart from tigers, include spotting leopards, sloth bears, desert foxes, jackals, hyenas, caracals, marsh crocodiles, and a large number of herbivores such as sambar, chital, nilgai, and wild boar, on Ranthambore safari tours.
Apart from wildlife discoveries, many tourists also visit the 1000-year-old Ranthambore Fort, located in the heart of the national park. This fort is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site that adds a dramatic historic charm to the majestic wilderness.
Location: Near Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan (≈ 140 km from Jaipur)
Entry Fees: Jeep (get a share) and fares depend on the zone and where you’re coming from – sharing a Jeep ticket usually costs anything up from around ₹1,300 to ₹2,000 for an Indian, but can be a lot more for foreigners; a private vehicle is going to charge even more, and you’ve got to book online and upload your ID to obtain the necessary permits.
Timings: There are only two time slots available for safari tours: morning and evening, although the times themselves do change depending on the season. For the morning, the tours operate from 06:00-10:30 am and 2:00-6:00 p.m. Please note that the park opens a half hour after sunrise and closes a half hour before sunset, so visiting early is advisable.
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Keoladeo National Park
The second on our list of the best Rajasthan wildlife destinations is Keoladeo National Park, formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. This national park is considered one of the most incredible avian habitats, with 375 bird species. Keoladeo is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing a mosaic of wetlands, woodlands, marshes, and grasslands. This place becomes intensely alive during winter, when migratory birds flock here, drawing all avian enthusiasts for sightseeing and photography.
Keoladeo holds a prestigious place in the world of conservation and is considered a crown jewel among destinations for a unique style of wildlife safari in India. Available options include cycle-rickshaw safaris, bicycle safaris, walking trails, and eco-friendly e-rickshaws.
Apart from stunning migratory birds spotting, wildlife lovers will also spot mammals, nilgai, jackals, wild boar, mongoose, pythons, turtles, and monitor lizards, amidst its calm, watery landscape.
Location: Bharatpur, Rajasthan (in the Braj region; close to Agra and Jaipur)
Entry Fees: ₹75 for an adult visitor and ₹500 for foreign visitors. Carrying cameras with you will incur extra charges. Prices vary slightly depending on the website you’re booking.
Timings: The best time to visit is from November to March to spot migratory birds. Visiting hours are:
- Summer (April to September): ~ 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM
- Winter (October to March): ~ 06:30 AM to 05:00 PM
Planning a trip to Rajasthan? Explore these 8 offbeat places in Rajasthan you probably haven’t heard of.
Sariska Tiger Reserve
Sariska Tiger Reserve is another of India’s most fascinating wildlife landscapes, offering mind-blowing wildlife encounters alongside temple and nature experiences. The place is renowned for its dense greenery, including dry deciduous forests, scrub-thorn landscapes, rocky cliffs, and expansive grasslands, spread over 880 sq. km.
Sariska Tiger Reserve was also the hunting ground of the Alwar royal family. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955, became a tiger reserve under Project Tiger in 1978, and eventually became a national park.
It is renowned for its successful tiger conservation initiatives, the relocation of tigers from Ranthambore, making it one of the best places for tigers in Rajasthan. Today, the reserve has a steadily increasing tiger population, including sub-adults and breeding females, and a healthy prey base.
Other wildlife encounters include Leopards, Hyenas, Jungle cats, Sambar, chital, nilgai, chausingha, caracals (occasionally spotted), Wild boar and langurs, and Jackals and foxes.
Location: Alwar district, Aravalli foothills, nearest major city Alwar/Jaipur.
Entry Fees: Canter (shared) and Jeep fares: sharing a canter will cost around ₹1,300 (Indians) or ₹2,300 (foreigners); sharing a Jeep costs around ₹1,900 (Indians) or ₹4,000 (foreigners). Please note that there may be extra charges for your vehicle, the permit, or a guide.
Timings: There are two time slots for the safari: morning and evening, with the timings all tied up with the seasons. Morning timings are from 06:00 to 10:30 am, and evening timings are around 2:00-6:00 pm. Still, Sariska often closes or restricts access to the park’s main areas during July to September, when it’s monsoon season. It’s crucial to check if it’s open before booking anything.
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
The next one is Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, which is one of the most renowned Rajasthan wildlife destinations. This wildlife sanctuary surrounds the colossal Kumbhalgarh Fort, whose 36 km-long wall is considered the second-longest continuous wall in the world. The park spans 610 sq. km and features the most picturesque and biodiverse forest belts.
Where Rajasthan is associated with desert landscapes, this destination, on the contrary, offers dense greenery, undulating hills, deep valleys, and views of thick vegetation. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary also serves as an ecological corridor between the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges, offering plenty of opportunities to spot diverse wildlife.
Special note: Kumbhalgarh is also one of India’s essential breeding grounds for the great Indian wolf, making it an important conservation site.Location: Near Kumbhalgarh Fort, the Rajsamand district, way out in the Aravalli hills near the Udaipur region
Entry Fees: Entry charges are low, around ₹75-100 for an adult. This varies depending on whether it is a weekday or a weekend (and jeep safaris are extra, run by local operators for around 3 to 5k rupees per jeep)
Timings: The place is open from around 07:00 to 6:00 pm. The jeep safaris may run at slightly different times, and it’s best to book them through local operators or at one of the sanctuary counters.
Desert National Park
Desert National Park is another of the best and most visited Rajasthan national parks, offering awe-inspiring encounters with unique desert wildlife, rare bird species, and dramatic Thar landscapes that feel untouched by time.
One of the most cherished experiences of visiting this National Park is the Sudashri Enclosure, a protected area where the Great Indian Bustard can be spotted in its natural habitat. Top wildlife encounters include spotting the Desert fox, Blackbuck in pockets, Chinkara (Indian gazelle), Hedgehog, Monitor lizards, Desert cat, Jungle cat, Sandgrouse, eagles, harriers, falcons, and numerous raptors.
It is also a great place to experience a wildlife safari in India, with sweeping dunes, dry plains, and fossil fields. The Desert National Park also boasts a stunning collection of fossils, including 180-million-year-old marine fossils and even dinosaur-era remnants, making it an excellent place for wildlife and history buffs.
Location: Right in the Thar Desert, just near Jaisalmer
Entry Fees: These typically cost around 100 rupees for Indians and 300 rupees for foreigners. There may also be extra fees for vehicles and cameras, and if you want a jeep safari or a guided tour, you have to pay extra (some people are quoting slightly different prices.
Timings: This one is open from morning till evening, roughly between 06:00 and 17:00 or 06:00 and 18:00. To be honest, it’s best to avoid coming during the really hot summer months, but October to March is a good time to visit.
Tal Chhapar Blackbuck Sanctuary
Tal Chhapar Blackbuck Sanctuary is a vast grassland, renowned for its phenomenal population of elegant blackbucks. The sanctuary offers exceptional close-range wildlife sightings, unlike the dense forests found elsewhere in Rajasthan. This place offers the most peaceful and photogenic wildlife safari in India, with sightings of migratory species like harriers, demoiselle cranes, and imperial eagles during winter. This place is best for wildlife enthusiasts who wish to discover other wildlife species besides tigers.
Location: Sujangarh / Churu district
Entry Fees: The entry fee is small, about 20 rupees per person, and if you want to go on a jeep safari and the like, you can get packages for around 3,500 rupees per jeep. Prices will vary depending on the operator.
Timings: Generally, they’re open from morning till evening, roughly from 05:30 or 06:00 am to 5:30 or 6:00 pm. November to February are the best months to visit.
Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary
Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary offers a refreshing escape from the desert heat. This place in the Aravalli Hills offers visitors a cool climate, dense evergreen forests, and rich biodiversity. Plant lovers and botanists will also have a great time spotting the 800 plant species. There are high chances of spotting leopards, sambars, pangolins, Indian civets, langurs, and an incredible variety of birds, including rare species such as grey jungle fowl and green avadavat.
Location: Mount Abu (the Aravalli’s highest hill station) in the Sirohi district
Entry Fees: There is no fixed entry fee. Although some places are listing a small fee of 50 rupees, jeep safaris and guided activities are chargeable (jeep safaris start at around 300 rupees and go up from there). It’s always a good idea to check at the entrance before you go.
Timings: Visiting hours are from 09:00 in the morning to 5:30 p.m., and once it gets dark, they close up shop. Safaris and the like only happen during daylight hours.
Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve
Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve is a promising wildlife destination, which is less crowded and highly rewarding. Apart from incredible wildlife encounters, this tiger reserve also offers visitors an undisturbed forest experience, with dense dry deciduous forests, gushing rivulets, and steep hills creating a dramatic landscape. This is another of the best places for a wildlife safari in India, with a chance to spot the wildlife, including leopards, hyenas, sloth bears, chitals, sambars, and an increasing tiger population under India’s rewilding initiative.
Location: You can find this place in the Mukundra/Darrah area on the eastern side of Kota-Jhalawar district, not too far from Kota.
Entry Fees: The entry fee is around 137 rupees per person, while a jeep safari costs around 615 rupees per person. Keep in mind that booking here is still a bit new and limited – expect to book online and have some restrictions in place, especially since Indianpanorama started promoting the place recently.
Timings: The best hours to visit are from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The park is often closed during the monsoon season (July – Sept). It’s a good idea to plan your trip between October and June.
Safety Tips for Visiting Rajasthan National Parks
Here are specific safety tips to keep in mind before going to the Rajasthan national parks to ensure a worry-free experience:
- It is essential to follow all the given safari rules and stay inside your vehicles.
- Strictly avoid wearing any bright colors or strong fragrances, as they can attract insects and even cause discomfort to certain animals.
- Animals, including tigers, leopards, and blackbucks, can behave unpredictably. It’s best to maintain a safe distance to ensure your safety and protect their privacy.
- Book safaris in advance to avoid any last-minute cancellations and book only through certified operators to ensure a responsible wildlife experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions
You can book the Ranthambore safari from the online Rajasthan forest portal or registered operators like JustWravel. Both morning and evening slots are available, each offering a different set of wildlife activities. The morning safaris are from 6.30 am to 10 am, and evening safaris are from 2.30 pm to 6 pm.
Sariska Tiger Reserve is special for its combination of wildlife, ancient temples, and dramatic Aravalli landscapes. Along with ferocious wildlife encounters, the wildlife reserve also features several historic sites, such as the Kankwari Fort, within its protected area.
Ranthambore, Sariska, Desert National Park, and Keoladeo are among the most important national parks, also regarded as the four pillars of Rajasthan’s wildlife landscape.
For tiger sightseeing, Ranthambore National Park is considered the top choice, known for its high tiger density and accessible viewing zones. Sariska Tiger Reserve is another of the best places to spot tigers, followed by the newly opened Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve.
Yes, many national parks charge extra for carrying professional cameras. Just check their official website before booking tickets.
