Home » Travel » National Parks In Rajasthan: Top 16 National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries In Rajasthan

National Parks In Rajasthan: Top 16 National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries In Rajasthan

Sukriti Vajpayee

January 4, 2019

Rajasthan is not only known as the largest state of India but is also famous for its rich culture and heritage, along with a diverse variety of flora and fauna. Despite having less forest cover as compared to other Indian states, Rajasthan has some of the greatest National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. You must visit these national parks to discover more about its biodiversity, enrich yourself with more knowledge and give your wildlife photography skills a boost. These parks and sanctuaries are explored a lot by adventure enthusiasts too.

Why Go There? Discover more about wildlife, enhance your knowledge about fauna and flora, to get close to nature, go for a safari, explore the rich heritage of India

Ideal For: Wildlife Photographers | Travel Bloggers| Nature Enthusiasts

Trivia: The Ranthambore National Park is named after a huge fort that towers over the park and it gained the protection of “Project Tiger’ in 1974. It is also known as the tiger country.

Things To Bring Back: Souvenirs | Products from handicraft shops nearby

List Of 16 Most Popular National Parks And Wildlife Sanctuaries In Rajasthan

Complete Guide To The Most Renowned National Parks In Rajasthan

1. Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan

The Ranthambore National Park lies in the lap of the Aravalli and Vindhya mountain ranges. It has diverse wildlife and is spread across an area of 392 square kilometres. This national park has dense deciduous trees and shrubs, big lakes, plenty of small water holes, razor-sharp ridges, deep ravines filled with boulders, narrow valleys and lush greenery. This forest was once the hunting ground for the Royals of Jaipur but was declared as a sanctuary after India gained independence. In 1974, the park was declared as the tiger reserve forest when it was incorporated into the ‘Project Tiger’.

Distance From Jaipur: 154 Km

Things To Do At Ranthambore National Park:

• Tiger safari
• Visit the Ranthambore Fort
• Go to the Trinetra Ganesh temple
• Visit the Museum and Art School
• Buy souvenirs and handicrafts from nearby markets

Now book your trip to Rajasthan to visit Ranthambore National Park at a mind blowing discount through booking.com. All you need is to plan your tickets through booking.com and use Booking.com offers to avail great discounts and make your trip super economical.

2. Sariska National Park in Rajasthan

This is one of the most famous national parks in India. The total area for tiger reserve covers 881 square km along with 274 square km area notified as a national park. It lies within the Aravalli Hills and is home to monkeys, peacocks, sambars, nilgai chital, wild boars and jackals. The landscape of Sariska is dotted with sharp cliffs of hills and valleys. Its dry and deciduous forest gives shelter to various animals. You may see ruins of medieval temples of Garh-Rajor within the park that probably existed in the 10th and 11th centuries. It became a national park in the year 1979.

Distance From Jaipur: 120 km

Things To Do At Sariska Tiger Reserve:

• Visit the Kankwari Fort, built by Jai Singh II in the 16th Century.
• See the Royal Bengal Tigers
• Go to the Neelkanth temple
• Visit the palace built by the princes of Alwar.
• Go to Pandupol, which is said to be one of the places of retreat of the Pandavas.

3. Darrah National Park in Rajasthan

This national park was established in 2004 and consists of three wildlife sanctuaries– Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary, Jawahar Sagar Sanctuary and Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located 56 kilometres south of Kota in Rajasthan and has a hilly terrain. Darrah National Park was declared as a ‘protected area’ in 1955. It is home to many species of birds and animals. Panther, Sloth Bear, Wolf, Leopard, Chinkara, Deer, Wild Boar, Antelopes and Sambar are some of the animals found in the park.

Distance From Kota: 83.5 km

Things To Do At Darrah National Park:

• Visit the Jhalawar Fort
• Explore the bio-diversity of the park
• Go to Jairapatan which has preserved the ruins of the Sun Temple.

4. Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan

The Keoladeo National Park was earlier known as ‘Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary’. It is a popular avifauna sanctuary that provides shelter to thousands of bird species, especially winter migratory birds. This bird sanctuary and also national park has been accorded the status of one of the world’s most important bird breeding and feeding hubs. The park has an area of 29 square kilometres which hosts more than 360 species of birds. This park was declared a protected sanctuary in 1971. In 1982, it was given the status of ‘National Park’ and further listed as a World Heritage Site in 1985.

Distance From Bharatpur: 2.9 km

Things To Do At Keoladeo National Park:

• Bird watching
• Splendid sunrise
• Visit Keoladeo Shiva Temple
• Go to the Rope Castle Adventure Park.

5. Mount Abu National Park in Rajasthan

Mount Abu is one of the nine ecologically-sensitive areas situated in the state of Rajasthan. Situated in the middle of the Aravalli Range, the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is a splendid exhibit of the ecological significance of the state. It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1960. Mount Abu is the only hill station in Rajasthan and is considered a perfect spot to get away from the sweltering heat of the Thar Desert.

Royal Bengal Tigers and Asiatic Lions used to be a part of this sanctuary several decades ago. The common wildlife species that can be easily spotted in the park include Sambar, Leopard, Mongoose, Wild Boar, Sloth Bear etc. Apart from these, more than 250 species of birds can also be seen here.

Distance From Mount Abu: 34.1 km

Things To Do At Mount Abu National Park:

• Jeep Safari
• Bird Watching
• Visit the Sunset Point
• Visit the Nakki Lake
• Visit the Achalgarh Fort

6. Sambhar Lake Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan

Sambhar is India’s largest saline lake covering an area of 190 square kilometres. It lies 60 km west of Jaipur and stretches in length for about 22.5 kilometres, with its width varying between 3 km to 11 km. The lake hosts a large variety of avifauna, especially flamingoes, Northern Shoveller and black-headed gull. Over 45 species of aquatic birds are found here, of which ducks, geese and shorebirds form some of the species.

Distance From Jaipur: 71.6 km

Things To Do At Sambhar Lake Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Bird watching
• Visit Vinay-Vilas Palace
• Natural retreat

7. Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan 

Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as a protected area in 1979 and has an area of 422.95 square kilometres. It is thickly forested and spreads over the Aravalli range and the Malva plateau. Seasonal rivers like Jakham, Karmoi, Sitamata, Buddha, and Tankiya flow through the forest. It is located about 45 km from Pratapgarh. An area of 423 square kilometres is mainly dry deciduous vegetation with exceptionally rich flora and fauna. The sanctuary includes a large variety of trees such as Salar, Tendu, Peepal, Babool, Gulmohar, Amaltas, Bakayan, Ashok, Mahua, Semal, Goondi, Khejadi, Kumta, Amla, Bamboo, Chironjee, Rudraksha and Bel trees.

Distance From Udaipur: 110 Km

Things To Do At Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Visit the Valmiki Ashram
• Go to the Hanuman Mandir
• Visit Lakhiya Bhata, where drawings of prehistoric animals are engraved on rocks.

8. Sawai Mansingh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan

The Balas Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary in Ranthambore is known to be the most beautiful bio-diversity system in the city. The sanctuary is spread over an area of 127.76 square kilometres. It was formed in the year 1984. There are two eco-tourism sites inside the park, Balas and Kundal. You will find examples of steep cliffs, slopes, flat terrains, rocky regions with fertile soil and enriched bio-diversity inside the park. You can sight some amazing, fauna and avifauna inside this sanctuary in Ranthambore including Salar, Butea, Dhok, Zuliflora, Cheela, Tendu, Gurjan, Hyena, Sloth Bear, Chinkara, Jackal, Nilgai and Sambhar along with birds like Peacock, Quails, Vultures, Tits, Sparrow, Parakeets and more.

Distance From Jaipur: 155 km

Things To Do At Sawai Mansingh Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Wildlife photography
• Jungle Safari
• Visit the Ranthambore National Park nearby

9. Jamwa Ramgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan

Before being declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1982, Ramgarh was known as the hunting place for Maharajas. It was also known for its artificial lake of 15.5 kilometres which used to provide water to Jaipur city. The thick forests of Ramgarh are home to a wide range of animals including ruddy mongoose, antelopes, jackals, chitals, nilgai, leopards, lions, rhesus macaque, langurs, etc. If you are a bird lover then you can also spot peafowl, minivet, crested bunting, finch-larks, common babbler, spotted dove, grey tit, silver-bill, black shouldered kite etc., here.

Distance From Jaipur: 38.7 km

Things To Do at Jamwa Ramgarh Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Birdwatching
• Visit the Ramgarh Lake for boating
• Go to the Jamwa Mata Temple

10. Bhainsrodgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan

The Bhainsrodgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is a popular tourist attraction nestled in the lap of the Aravalli ranges. The sanctuary is situated near the impermeable Bhainsrodgarh fort and is an exquisite place rich in both natural beauty and history. The Chambal and Brahmani rivers flow nearby and the entire area has a stillness and calm that cannot be found at many places. This sanctuary is home to boars, four horned antelopes, deer, jackals, panthers, foxes, chinkaras and hyenas. Many migratory birds can also be found here. Several small waterfalls add to the beauty of the sanctuary.

Distance From Chittorgarh: 124 km

Things To Do At Bhainsrorgarh Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Exploring wildlife
• Visiting the historical fort

11. Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan

The Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary located near the Shergarh town in Baran District is spread across an area of 98 square kilometres. The sanctuary is a natural habitat of animals, such as tiger, sloth bear, hyena, wild boar, endemic deer, leopard, sambar, chinkara and chital. It is a great place for animal lovers as they can find a variety of species here.

Distance From Kota: 129 km

Things To Do At Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Wildlife photography
• Visit Shergarh Fort
• Explore Shahabad Fort
• Seek blessings at the Brahamani Mata Temple

12. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan

This sanctuary surrounds the Kumbhalgarh Fortress and covers an area of 610.5 square kilometres. The sanctuary extends across the Aravalli Range, covering parts of Rajsamand, Udaipur, and Pali districts. It is home to a variety of wildlife, some of which are also endangered species. Indian wolf, Indian leopard, sloth bear, striped hyena, Golden jackal, jungle cat, sambhar, nilgai, chausingha (the four-horned antelope), chinkara and Indian hare can be found here. Birds such as junglefowl, peacocks, doves, red spurfowl, parakeet, golden oriole, grey pigeon, bulbul, dove and white-breasted kingfisher can be sighted at the Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary.

Distance From Udaipur: 112 km

Things To Do At Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Jeep Safari
• Birdwatching
• Visit the Kumbhalgarh Fort

13. National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan

The National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary is a 5,400 square kilometres tri-state area developed for the protection of the critically-endangered ‘gharial’ crocodiles, the red-crowned roof turtle and the endangered Ganges river dolphin. It is located on the Chambal River near the tripoint of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It was first declared in Madhya Pradesh in 1978, and now constitutes a long narrow eco-reserve co-administered by the three states.

Distance From Aligarh: 65.7 km

Things To Do At National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Explore Wildlife
• Visit the Ater Fort
• Go to the Bateshwar Temple

14. Bund Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan

This wildlife reserve was created for the maharajas of Bharatpur. The wildlife sanctuary of Bandh Baretha houses some rare species of animals. Endangered animals like Sambhur, Cheetal, Blue Bull, Hyena and Wild Boar are found in this wildlife resort. Apart from the endangered animals, the animal reserve houses more than 200 species of native and migratory birds. Bird watchers from all across the globe visit this wildlife reserve.

Distance From Bharatpur: 35.1 km

Things To Do At Bund Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Bird watching

15. Jawahar Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan

Jawahar Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is located near the Jawahar Sagar Dam in Kota district of Rajasthan. It is spread over 100 square kilometres of area and the vegetation consists of dry deciduous forest. The sanctuary is a habitat of gavial, crocodile, sambar deer, chital, wild boar, sloth bear, leopard and fish. Jawahar Sagar Dam is constructed over the Chambal River and the completion of the dam was done in 1972.

Distance From Kota: 37 km

Things To Do At Jawahar Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Go for walks on the dam
• Wildlife photography
• Enrich yourself with knowledge about wildlife

16. Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan

This sanctuary is spread across an area of 15,290 hectares and was established in 1988. It is located on the western border of the Vindhyachal ranges and includes the Bassi and Orai dams as part of the sanctuary. Antelope, wild boar, panther, mongoose and migratory birds are some of the species that inhabit the sanctuary.

Distance From Chittorgarh: 29.6 km

Things To Do At Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Explore biodiversity at the park
• Visit the Chittorgarh Fort