The Best Places to See Leopards in Rajasthan

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Leopards are native to India that’s why Best Place to see leopards in Rajasthan and can be found in various regions of the country especially rajasthan, including forests, grasslands, and mountainous regions during Tiger Safari in India. They are considered one of big cats and are known for their beautiful spotted coat and graceful movements.

India has one of the highest populations of leopards in the world, with an estimated 12,000 to 14,000 individuals. They are found in almost all states of India but are most commonly spotted in the western and central parts of the country, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka., 

Leopards of Rajasthan

The leopard is a common predator found in the state of Rajasthan in India. The leopard population in Rajasthan is estimated to be around 1,200 to 1,300 individuals. They are found in various habitats including forests, grasslands, and rocky areas.

In Rajasthan, the leopard is known by various local names such as “baghera” or “tendua”. The leopards of Rajasthan are known for their adaptability and ability to survive in harsh environments. They are also known for their agility, speed, and strength.

However, like many other big cats, the leopard population in Rajasthan is under threat due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. Conservation efforts are being undertaken by the government and non-governmental organizations to protect the leopard population in Rajasthan and ensure their survival for future generations.

Survival of Leopards in a Harsh Environment of Rajasthan

The state of Rajasthan in India is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including leopards. Despite the harsh climatic conditions and human encroachment on their habitat, leopards have managed to adapt and survive in the state. In this blog, we will explore why leopards are found in Rajasthan, their habitat and prey availability, conservation efforts to protect them, and human-leopard conflicts. We will also look at some of the best places to see leopards in Rajasthan, including Jawai Bandh, Bera, Kumbhalgarh wildlife sanctuary, Sariska tiger reserve, Jhalana leopard safari, Ranthambore tiger reserve, and Amagarh leopard reserve.

Why Leopards are Found in Rajasthan

Leopards are found in various habitats, including forests, grasslands, and rocky areas. In Rajasthan, they are found in the Aravalli Hills, which run through the state. These hills provide an ideal habitat for leopards as they offer a mix of forested areas and rocky outcrops. The leopards of Rajasthan are known for their adaptability and ability to survive in harsh environments. They have also learned to coexist with humans and have been found in areas near human settlements.

Habitat and Prey Availability

Leopards are solitary animals that prefer to hunt at night. They are opportunistic predators and can hunt a wide range of prey, including small mammals, birds, and reptiles. In Rajasthan, the leopard’s diet includes chinkara, nilgai, wild boar, and occasionally cattle and goats. Leopards require a large area to roam and hunt, and their habitat must provide them with adequate prey and cover.

Best Place to see leopards in Rajasthan

Best Places to See Leopards in Rajasthan

1. Jawai bandh leopard conservation reserve

Jawai Bandh is a picturesque dam located in the Pali district of Rajasthan. The dam is surrounded by rocky outcrops and forests, which provide an ideal habitat for leopards. The area around Jawai Bandh is known for its high leopard density, and leopard sightings are common.

It was officially designated as a leopard reserve in 2010, but its popularity has increased over the past few years. The coexistence of leopards and humans in this region is the main interest for the visitors. The widespread opportunities of leopard safari, bird watching, cultural interaction with locals, easy connectivity led to the increasing interest of hoteliers and safari tour operators. Leopards have been spotted in the Jawai granite hills, even near the hill temples.  Although there are priests at these temples and a sizable number of tourists, there has never been a single incident of a leopard attack.

Since there is more vegetation around the Jawai dam, herders use this area as a grazing area for their livestock. There has never been a report of attack of leopard on cattle while shepherds are with them. Leopards do occasionally grab some of them, but not when a human is leading them along with a long wooden pole. Leopards primarily prey on dogs and other small animals, but hardly ever on humans. Because of this, Jawai is quickly becoming a popular destination for thrill-seekers, wildlife photographers, and bird watchers. A major attraction for tourists to this area is the enormous diversity of migratory birds, crocodiles, and other wildlife. Visitors can take a leopard safari in open-top jeeps and witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

How to Reach Jawai Bandh leopard conservation reserve

Jawai is very well-connected with all the major cities via airways, roadways, and railways. The easiest way to reach Jawai Bandh is by road.

By Air: The nearest airport to Jawai Bandh is the Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur as well as Jodhpur airport, both airports are located about 140-150 km away. You can take a flight to Udaipur or Jodhpur and then hire a car or taxi to reach Jawai Bandh.

By Train: The nearest railway station to Jawai Bandh is Falna Railway Station, which is located about 30 km away. You can take a train from cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur to Falna Railway Station and then take a taxi or bus to reach Jawai Bandh.

By Car/Taxi: You can hire a car or taxi from nearby cities like Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaipur to reach Jawai Bandh. The town is located on the Udaipur-Jodhpur highway and is easily accessible by road.

2. Bera, Pali district

Best Place to see leopards in Rajasthan

Bera in Pali district Bera is a small village situated in the Pali district of Rajasthan, which is fast becoming a popular destination for leopard sightings. The area is surrounded by rocky hills and caves, which provide the perfect habitat for leopards. Visitors can take a leopard safari in open-top jeeps and witness these elusive creatures in their natural habitat. Apart from leopards, one can also spot other wildlife species like hyenas, jackals, and desert foxes.

The hamlet of Bera is frequently referred to as “Leopard Country.” Although often elusive, leopards can frequently be seen roaming and resting in crevices along the hillocks of the Aravali range, earning this region widespread recognition as having one of the world’s largest density of leopards. If that weren’t fascinating enough, it’s remarkable that the locals here, who are primarily from the Rabari community and graze sheep and goats, have lived peacefully alongside leopards for so long.

How to reach Bera

By Air: The Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur is the closest airport to Bera. To reach Bera, you can fly to Udaipur and then hire a car or a taxi.

By Train: Falna Railway Station, which is around 30 kilometres from Bera, is the closest train station. From cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur, you may take a train to Falna Railway Station, where you can then take a taxi or a bus to get to Bera.

By Car/Taxi: To get to Bera, hire a car or a cab from one of the nearby cities, such as Udaipur, Jodhpur, or Jaipur. The town is conveniently accessible by road as it is located on the Udaipur-Jodhpur highway.

3. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajsamand district

The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan, is known for its diverse wildlife, including leopards. The sanctuary is spread over an area of 578 sq km and is surrounded by the Aravalli Hills. Visitors can take a leopard safari in open-top jeeps and witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Apart from leopards, this location features a lot of flora and animals that serves as a habitat for a wide range of species. It stretches through a significant area of the Aravalli range and also enters the Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion. Hyena, golden jackal, sloth bear, Indian wolf, jungle cat, chausingha, nilgai, sambhar, Indian hare, and chinkara can all be seen in this area in addition to the leopard. White-breasted kingfishers, doves, bulbuls, grey pigeons, golden orioles, parakeets, red spurfowl, peacocks, and grey junglefowl can all be spotted in this region. In accordance with an order from the Supreme Court of India, this sanctuary has also been selected for the Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project.

This region is a famous tourist attraction because of Kumbhalgarh fort and Ranakpur Jain temple. Because of the diverse terrain and greenery, this place is not only popular for leopard safari, but as well as for trekking, horse riding and cycling tours. The most popular jeep safari in the sanctuary is the 15-kilometer trip from Kumbhalgarh to Thandi Beri. If you’re lucky, you might encounter leopards, bears, and sambar during the 3.5 hours it takes to go to and from Thandi Beri. At one end of the sanctuary are the well-known Ranakpur Jain temples from the fifteenth century.

How to reach Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary:

By air: The nearest airport is the Udaipur airport, which is around 85 km away from Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary.

By train: The closest railway station is the Falna railway station, which is well-connected to major cities like Udaipur and Jaipur.

By road: Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is well-connected by road, and buses and taxis are readily available from major cities in Rajasthan.

4. Sariska Tiger Reserve, Alwar district

Sariska Tiger Reserve, situated in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, is known for its thriving population of leopards. The reserve is spread over an area of 881 sq km and is surrounded by the Aravalli Hills. Known for its rich biodiversity, the terrain is rugged with hills, valleys, and forests, making it an ideal habitat for leopards.

Besides leopards, the reserve is also home to tigers, striped hyenas, wild boars, sambars, and many other species. Visitors can take a wildlife safari in open-top jeeps and witness these elusive creatures in their natural habitat. Sariska Tiger Reserve may have specific entry requirements and permits for visitors, so it’s advisable to check and comply with the rules and regulations of the reserve before visiting.

How to reach Sariska Tiger Reserve

By Air: The nearest airport to Sariska Tiger Reserve is Jaipur International Airport, which is approximately 123 kilometers away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Sariska Tiger Reserve.

By Train: The nearest railway station to Sariska Tiger Reserve is Alwar Railway Station, which is approximately 37 kilometers away. From the railway station, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the reserve.

By Road: Sariska Tiger Reserve is well-connected by road. You can reach Sariska by hiring a taxi or taking a bus from nearby cities like Jaipur, Delhi, Alwar, or other major towns in Rajasthan. The reserve is approximately 200 kilometers from Delhi and 107 kilometers from Jaipur.

5. Jhalana Leopard Safari in Jaipur

 Jhalana Leopard Reserve is located in the heart of Jaipur city and is a must-visit destination for wildlife enthusiasts. The safari covers an area of 23 sq km and is home to a large number of leopards. Visitors can take a jeep safari or a walking tour to spot these elusive big cats.

Of course, the leopards are the main attraction of Jhalana leopard reserve, and their population has been growing recently. This elusive animal can be seen here preying on other animals both during the day and at night. Like many other wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan, this one is also home to a wide diversity of birds. You also have the opportunity to see a variety of other animal species, some of which may completely wow you with their characteristics and appearance. The places surrounding the human settlements are frequently where locals can see nilgai and various deers. Nevertheless, to see the leopards, you must take a safari and travel a bit further into the deep into the jungle.

With around 40 leopards living there, Jhalana is considered to be the most densely populated leopard reserve in the world, covering an area of 23 square kilometres. Almost two leopards per square kilometre can be found. Because of this, visitors can nearly always count on spoting at least one leopard, though the typical visitor will generally see more of them on a good day.

How to reach Jhalana Leopard Safari

By Air: The nearest airport is Jaipur International Airport, which is about 12 km away from the reserve. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the reserve.

By Train: Jaipur Junction railway station is the nearest railway station to Jhalana Leopard Reserve, located at a distance of around 10 km. You can hire a taxi or take a bus from the railway station to reach the reserve.

By Bus: Jaipur is well-connected to all major cities in Rajasthan by road. There are regular bus services available from the Jaipur bus stand to the reserve. You can also hire a private taxi or cab to reach the reserve.

Once you reach Jaipur, you can take a taxi or hire a car to reach Jhalana Leopard Reserve. The reserve is located near the Jawahar Circle area in Jaipur.

6. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

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Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, located in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan, is one of the largest and most popular national parks in India. The reserve covers an area of 1334 sq km and is known for its rich biodiversity and its diverse terrain of dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and rocky hills. Besides tigers, the reserve is also home to leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, and many other species.

The park is home to a significant population of tigers, making it one of the best places in India to spot these majestic big cats in the wild. The park is also known for its tiger conservation efforts and has been successful in increasing the tiger population over the years. Apart from tigers, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is also known to have a population of leopards. Although leopards are not as commonly spotted as tigers in Ranthambore, there have been sightings of leopards in the park. Leopards are elusive and shy by nature, making spotting them a thrilling and rare experience.

Visitors to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve can go on safari drives, either in jeeps or canter (open safari vehicles), accompanied by trained naturalists and guides, to explore the park and have a chance to spot tigers, leopards, and other wildlife in their natural habitat. It’s important to follow park regulations and guidelines for wildlife viewing to ensure the safety of both visitors and the animals.

How to reach Ranthambore tiger reserve

By Air: The nearest airport to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is Jaipur International Airport, which is located approximately 180 kilometers away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Ranthambore. The travel time from Jaipur to Ranthambore by road is approximately 3-4 hours.

By Train: The nearest railway station to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is Sawai Madhopur Railway Station, which is well-connected to major cities in India. Sawai Madhopur Railway Station is located approximately 10 kilometers away from the reserve. From the railway station, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Ranthambore.

By Road: Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is well-connected by road, and there are regular bus services available from nearby cities like Jaipur, Delhi, and Agra. You can also hire a taxi or drive your own vehicle to reach Ranthambore. The reserve is located approximately 10 kilometers away from the town of Sawai Madhopur.

7. Amagarh Leopard Reserve in Jaipur

Amagarh is the third leopard safari set up in the state of Rajasthan after Jhalana and Jawai leopard reserves. The Amargarh Leopard Safari is located in the Aravalli Highlands, only 30 minutes from Jaipur. With a total area of 1,524 hectares, the safari is home to 250 different bird species and 16 leopards. There are numerous watering holes placed up for leopards so that tourists can spot them.

The reserve is known for its rocky terrain, which is an ideal habitat for leopards. Visitors can take a jeep safari or a walking tour to spot these elusive big cats.

How to reach Amagarh Leopard Reserve

By Air: The nearest airport to Amagarh is Jaipur International Airport, which is located approximately 18 kilometers away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or bus to reach Amagarh leopard reserve. The travel time from the airport to Amagarh is approximately 30-40 minutes by road.

By Train: The nearest railway station to Amagarh is Jaipur Railway Station, which is well-connected to major cities in India. Jaipur Railway Station is located approximately 13 kilometers away from Amagarh. From the railway station, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Galta temple. Amagarh leopard reserve is situated near Galta.

By Road: Galta is well-connected by road, and you can hire a taxi or take a bus from Jaipur or other nearby cities to reach Galta or Amagarh. The distance between Jaipur and Galta is approximately 10 kilometers, and the travel time by road is around 30 minutes.

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