The Jhalana Leopard Safari now has around 40 leopards and 5 cubs! Aside from leopards, you can see striped hyenas, Indian civets, desert cats, jungle cats, desert foxes, jackals, porcupines, jungle rats, monitor lizards, mongooses, Sambar deer, spotted deer (chital), Blue Bull (Nilgai), and a variety of snakes. You can also explore Shikaar Audi, the three-story hunting lodge of Jaipur’s royal family. It is directly in the center of the leopard reserve! It features an animal-spotting platform from which you can view the sunrise and sunset.
Safari in Jhalana first opened its doors to visitors in 2016. Jhalana Safari Park has a large and robust leopard population, making it the finest spot to see. Sometimes it occurs within 5 minutes of visiting the park. Leopards can be observed in the daytime because they do not fear jeeps or humans in their native habitat. Jhalana Safari Park quickly gained popularity among wildlife lovers and now maintains a key position in global wildlife tourism. Nestled quietly in the foothills of the spectacular hilly terrain of Aravali, the park is an excellent starting point for an adventure-filled holiday amidst raw nature, complete with unforgettable sightings of unique wild animals.
Where is Jhalana Leopard Safari Park?
The Jhalana Leopard Safari Park also called Jhalana Leopard Reserve is situated in the heart of Rajasthan’s capital city of Jaipur. It is unique because it is located near such a large and densely populated city. Jaipur is believed to have a population of approximately 4.3 million people; technically you can see the bustle of Jaipur from Jhalana.
They are known as the first leopard reserve in the country, formed in 2017. Since then, this 23 sq km park has subsequently become one of the premier places for viewing wild leopards in all of India. It will only take you between 15 to 30 min drive from.central Jaipur city.
What Makes Jhalana Leopard Safari Unique?
Jhalana Leopard Safari stands out for several reasons, making it a must-visit destination for wildlife lovers:
Leopard Density: So far, over 30 big cats including leopards have been recorded to inhabit the Jhalana. And due to the pocket size density of the park, people have very high chances of sighting leopards during mini adventurous jeep safari rides. This makes Jhalana as one of the premier Leopard spotting destinations in India along with offering other exciting wildlife viewing.
Proximity to Jaipur: Whereas most other wildlife sanctuaries are usually very distant after one has to endure a car ride, Jhalana is just 10 Km from the heart of Jaipur city. Because of that it is easier to classify the place as a tourist attraction where a person can go for a full one-day trip not only for the citizens of the country but also for foreigners as well.
Rich Biodiversity: Apart from leopards, Jhalana has other animals such as spotted deer, the derives or blue bull, hyenas, desert fox, jackals and beautiful birds.
Conservation Success: Jhalana has emerged as one of its kind when it comes to the conservation of wildlife especially leopards. Through a delicate mix of utilizing the park revenues to support the conservation of the leopards alongside putting other wildlife species in safe confines, the sanctuary today is home to enough leopards and many other species.
Safari Experience at Jhalana
Jhalana presents an opportunity to enjoy a close encounter with wildlife. Currently, the park is split into two areas; Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas which can both be explored using a jeep. These can take about 2. 5 to 3 hours, which means that one is able to considerably spend time in the park observing the wildlife.
What can you expect during your Jhalana Leopard Safari?
Here’s what to expect during your Jhalana Leopard Safari is given in brief:
Jeep Safaris
The big pride of the safari is that it takes places in the open 4-wheel drive vehicles which make the observation more thrilling and intimate with wildlife. Each jeep is guided by professional naturalists and experienced trackers who explain all the prospective sights; about the flora and fauna of the park and the leopards.
Morning and Evening Safaris
Jhalana offers two safari slots: morning and evening. Each slot has its own appeal; however, evening safaris are also popular when searching for leopards because such large cats are most active in the early morning and in the evening.
- Morning Safari: This takes 3 and half hours, the time-varying with the season, from 0630 hours to 0930 hours.
- Evening Safari: 3.30 PM to 6.30 PM depending on the season.
Leopard Spotting
Like to expand on the fact that looking for the leopard is the most exciting part of the Jhalana safari. There evidently is no certainty but the guides are very experienced with the movement patterns of the leopards and therefore the possibility of seeing one is much higher than in other places. Handy tips that come in handy when photographing leopards in Jhalana include these; Leopards at Jhalana are best photographed while sitting on trees or when lying in grasslands or when walking on dirt tracks.
Birdwatching
Bird watchers are particularly guaranteed a good time due to the huge densities of various bird species present in Jhalana. Due to its many bog features, the park bustles in the monsoon season when it receives many migrant birds. The visitor can distinguish birds of prey, including eagles and owls as well as the Indian national bird, the peacock.
Best Time to Visit Jhalana Leopard Safari
The Jhalana Leopard Reserve (India’s first leopard reserve) is open for safari trips year-round, including the monsoon season, which goes from January 1st to December 31st, depending on entry hours. During the monsoon season, the majority of the country’s protected areas are closed, however, there is something to compensate for this.
Though the Jhalana Leopard Safari and the view of the majestic Leopard can be enjoyed at any time, November to April is considered the best time to visit the reserve because the weather is pleasant and nature is in full bloom, enhancing the beauty of the forest.
Conclusion
Jhalana Leopard Safari is an amazing place to visit for people to enjoy wildlife and understand the beauty of nature in this proximity to the city. Having a huge population of leopards and offering a rich bio-diversity and easy accessibility, Jhalana is still an emerging tourist spot. For wildlife lovers, photographers, and nature lovers, Jhalana is sure to make an imprint in your memory and further make you realize the importance of India.
