Keoladeo Ghana (Bharatpur) National Park

Keoladeo National Park

About the Keoladeo National Park

The Keoladeo National Park is formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and is known as the world’s most important and one of the largest bird breeding and feeding grounds. It has been originated as a royal hunting reserve in the year 1850 and was also popularly known among the Maharajas and the Britishers. It is the same ground where Lord Linlithgow, Viceroy of India from 1936 to 1943, shot over thousands of ducks with his own huntsmen in one single day.

By 1982, Keoladeo has been declared a National Park and by 1985 it was listed as one of the major World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Keoladeo National Park is also known as the breeding ground for the rare and endangered Siberian Crane. Trekking facilities are also generated in the Keoladeo National Park which can be explored via foot, bicycle or rickshaws. The rickshaw pullers in the park are so well trained by the park management as they serve as excellent guides too.

Why Visit Keoladeo National Park

The main attractions of the Keoladeo National Park for the tourists are some of the amazing migratory birds which come across some parts of Siberia and Central Asia to spend some of the most amazing winters in Bharatpur. Some of the migratory birds visiting the Keoladeo National Park include several species of Cranes, Pelicans, Hawks, Shanks, Geese, Ducks, Warblers, Eagles, Stints, Buntings, Wagtails, Flycatchers, Pipits, and Larks.

There are over 380 varieties of migratory birds including the Demoiselle and the Siberian Cranes. The Keoladeo National park is an amazing place to spot some of the most beautiful animals such as the Golden Jackal, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, Sambar, Nilgai, Blackbuck, Fishing Cat and Wild Boar.

Where is Keoladeo National Park Located ?

The Keoladeo National Park is situated in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan.

How to Reach Keoladeo National Park

There are three different ways to reach the Keoladeo Ghana National Park which involves:

  • By Air: The Delhi Airport is nearest and most convenient which will be around 5-6 hours from the National Park.

  • By Railway: Bharatpur is well connected with regular passenger trains with all the major cities of India such as Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Mumbai. The Bharatpur Railway station is however 6 km from the bird sanctuary.

  • By Roadways: Roadways have an excellent network and services to all the major cities of Rajasthan and some of the other states like Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Bharatpur is also well connected via road from Delhi which is 155 km, Agra which is 55 km and Jaipur is almost 176 km.

Best time to visit Keoladeo National Park

As the temperature reaches from a maximum of 48 degree Celsius in summers from the months of May to June and around 5 degree Celsius in winters from December to February, the best time to visit the Keoladeo National Park is during the months of October to March.

Opening and closing hours of Park and Safari Timing

The Keoladeo National Park remains open throughout the year from sunrise to sunset.

Charges of Safari and Other Fee

There are three Safari options of the Keoladeo National Park. Elephant Back Safari, Rickshaw Safari, and Jeep Rides are the variants. The best view of birds can be spotted on elephant back safari and rickshaw safari. But to go deep inside the jungle, the Jeep safari is the most prominent and the best option.

The timings of the Safari start from 6 am in the morning and ends at 6 pm by evening. Safari Fees for Indians is Rs 25 and for Foreign Nationals it is Rs 200. Cameras are allowed for Rs 200 and personal vehicle till Shanti Kutir is Rs 50.

Bicycle rent per day is Rs 100. Rickshaw rent per hour is Rs 100.

Guide Charge is Rs 250

Essential Tips for the Visitors

  • Light and Cotton clothing in summers to be worn and in winters light woolen garments are essential clothing.

  • Carry alongside liters of water, energy drink, and rehydration drink to eliminate exhaustion from the body

  • Follow the Instructions of your guide.

  • Maintain Silence and sincerity inside the National Park.

  • Smoking and any type of fire are not allowed inside the National Park.

  • Don’t litter any wastage inside the National Park.

  • Firearms are strictly prohibited inside the Park.

  • Wearing of precious ornaments and jewelry are strictly prohibited inside the Park.

  • During the Jeep Safari getting out of the vehicle is not allowed except in the designated areas.

  • Cameras are allowed inside the National Park but using of Flashlight is prohibited.

  • Carrying any type of musical instruments or music players inside the National Park is prohibited so as not to disturb the wildlife inside the National Park.

Nearby other Attraction of park

Bharatpur is well known for its Bird Sanctuary and the National Park. Whereas, Jaipur and Agra, are the two most important tourist destinations around Bharatpur. Most of the people who visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary also tend to visit Agra which is the only place in India where one of the seven wonders of the World, Taj Mahal is located.

Jaipur is another major and important tourist destination where several visitors from not only different parts of India but also many foreign tourists come here to visit some of the magnificent forts, palaces and lakes. There are also many tourist attractions in Bharatpur which includes the famous Lohagarh Fort, Kishori Mahal, Mahal Khas, Jawahar Burj and the Fateh Burj.