A Wildlife Safari Trail in Rajasthan: Chambal – Bharatpur – Jhalana (6 Nights)
- Shabbir Baldiwala
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
If birding, river safaris, and elusive big cats excite you more than malls and monuments, this trail through Rajasthan and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh is a dream run.
From gharials in the Chambal to migratory birds in Bharatpur and leopards in Jaipur, this circuit offers a rich and varied wildlife experience.
Best Time to Visit
November to March – peak season for migratory birds and pleasant weather.
Arrival: Agra or Delhi
Depending on your starting point, Agra or Delhi can be your destination airport.
Flights to Agra are limited compared to Delhi, but Agra is much closer to the first stop - Dhaulpur.
Day 1: Agra / Delhi → Dhaulpur
Stay options in Dhaulpur are limited. Book in advance but reconfirm bookings since single reservations may be cancelled if group bookings arrive.
Dhaulpur is a small town - best used as an overnight halt before a morning safari. Rest well since a long day lies ahead.
From Dhaulpur (Rajasthan), a 30 min drive takes you to the Chambal River.
Safari bookings are best done in advance, though last-minute slots are sometimes available.
The River Chambal forms a natural boundary — Rajasthan on one bank and Madhya Pradesh on the other.
🚩 Safari from the MP shore is recommended.
⏱ Duration: 2 hours
💰 Cost: approx ₹3600 per boat
Once infamous for dacoits, the Chambal ravines are now a biodiversity haven.
Highlights of National Chambal Sanctuary
National Chambal Sanctuary is one of the best places in India to see:
• Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) – critically endangered, long-snouted crocodile
• Mugger crocodile
• Gangetic dolphin
• Indian Skimmer – These black and white birds with brilliant crimson and yellow beaks have a unique way to catch fish. They skim over the water surface and trap the fish in their distinctly larger lower beak. They breed here between November and March.
• Black-bellied tern
• Egyptian vulture, river lapwing, and great thick-knee
Chambal → Bharatpur
The 2-hour drive to Bharatpur often stretches longer due to irresistible birding stops:
• Open fields: Yellow-wattled lapwing, Indian courser
• Mucky grounds: Greater painted snipe
• Potato fields: Sarus crane (feeds on tubers)
• Marshes: Lesser whistling ducks, woolly-necked stork, ruff
Check into your hotel and unwind for the evening.
Day 3: Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Major Highlight)
A Short History
The Bharatpur lake was created by building a dam to protect the town from floods.
In 1899, it became a duck-shooting reserve under Raja Surajmal.
Thanks to Salim Ali’s efforts, it became a bird sanctuary in 1956 and a protected park in 1971.
It is now:
• A Ramsar Site
• A UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Renamed Keoladeo National Park in 1982 (after the Shiva temple within)
“A rose by any other name will smell just as sweet.”
About the Sanctuary
Wetlands, lakes, marshes, dry grasslands, scrub and woodland coexist here, creating habitats for over 375 bird species and several mammals.
No motor vehicles are allowed.
You can explore by:
• E-rickshaw
• Cycle
• Horse cart
• On foot (highly rewarding)
🌅 Morning Safari
Arrive before sunrise to watch orange skies mirrored in the wetlands.
Trail of Painted Storks
Grey hornbills and coppersmith barbets welcome you.
Silhouettes of ducks form against the rising sun.
Painted storks nest in trees — juveniles look duller than the vibrant adults.
Ducks & Geese You May Spot
• Coot
• Red-crested pochard
• Wigeon
• Spot-billed duck
• Shoveler
• Pintail
• Gadwall, garganey, green-winged teal
• Bar-headed goose
• Cotton pygmy goose
Ibises & Jacanas
• Glossy ibis
• Black-headed ibis
• Red-naped ibis
• Bronze-winged jacana
• Pheasant-tailed jacana
🐍 The Darter Delight
The Darter (snake bird) spreads its wings like Shah Rukh Khan in a romantic pose — but it’s just drying itself.
With a spear-like beak and hinged neck, it impales fish underwater before surfacing to swallow them head-first.
Photographers wait patiently for its dramatic surfacing act.
🌇 Evening Safari
Golden hour transforms the wetlands into a canvas of reflections.
Birds in flight, silhouettes on trees, and shimmering waters create perfect frames.
❤️ The Spectacular Sarus Cranes
The tallest flying birds in the world — and symbols of lifelong love.
They form lifelong pairs and perform elegant dances with loud trumpeting calls.
In Gujarat, newlyweds are traditionally taken to see a pair of Sarus cranes.
They feed on tubers and insects and are often seen in potato fields.
The Sarus crane is the state bird of Uttar Pradesh.
🐍 Other Sightings
Baby python, monitor lizard, owls, imperial eagle, woodpeckers.
🦌 Day 4: Another Day at Bharatpur
Mist, cool air, and magical light greet you again.
Additional sightings:
• Golden jackal
• Nilgai
• Chital
• Rhesus macaque
• Dusky eagle owl
• Spotted owlet
• Scops owl
A comic fight between a parakeet and mynas adds drama.
The Sarus cranes bid a final farewell before exit.
Thankfully, the only shooting here now is photography.
📌 Highly recommended: Hire a local guide.
🚙 Day 5: Bharatpur → Jaipur
Evening Safari at Jhalana Leopard Park
India’s first Leopard Reserve (declared in 2017).
Area: 23 sq km
Leopards: ~36
Safari:
• ₹7500 per jeep (max 6 guests)
• Timings: 6:30–9:00 am | 3:30–6:00 pm
• Advance booking advised
Located within Jaipur city, Jhalana surprises with dry deciduous forests and purple Aravalli hills covered in dhok trees.
Other animals:
• Nilgai
• Sambar
• Hyena
• Fox
• Mongoose
• Wild hare
Bird orchestra: bulbuls, partridges, peacocks, treepies.
Leopards are shy and well-camouflaged.
Once spotted, their fluid gait and velvet-spotted coats are unforgettable.
🐆 Day 6: Morning & Evening Leopard Safaris
Leopard sightings require patience.
Unlike tiger reserves, alarm calls are rare due to fewer prey animals.
Guides rely on deep knowledge of leopard behaviour and territories.
Your job: stay quiet, cooperate, and follow park rules.
The reward?
A fleeting, magical glimpse and sighting of one of India’s most elusive predators.
"Which leopard cub are you?
🧭 Recommendations
Birding Guide (Chambal & Bharatpur):
➡️ Mr Gajendra Singh
Leopard Safari Guide (Jhalana):
➡️ Mr C. P. Saini
Hotel (Dhaulpur):
➡️Hotel RB Palace
Hotel (Bharatpur):
➡️Club Mahindra
Hotel (Jaipur):
➡️Red Fox by Lemon Tree Hotels, Jaipur
🌿 Final Thoughts
From river safaris with gharials…
to misty mornings with cranes…
to thrilling leopard chases in Jaipur…
This trail offers an unforgettable blend of birds, beasts, and breathtaking landscapes — perfect for wildlife lovers and photographers alike.
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