If there’s one place where you are most likely to spot a leopard, it’s Jhalana Leopard Sanctuary. And it’s right inside the City of Jaipur.
Jaipur is a beautiful city to travel to in its own right. With fabulous havelis, palaces, shopping opportunities, food, culture and plenty of heritage. In the middle of all of this is a 24 square kilometer area reserved as part of Project Leopard. This area, a beautiful forested hill of Aravalli, is situated right inside the city, has its own safari and you are almost guaranteed to spot a leopard here. Or two.
Jhalana Leopard Reserve was created to offer these beautiful animals some breathing space and respite from an ever encroaching human footprint. The landscape is a gorgeous dry deciduous cover on the slopes of the Aravallis, filled with many a dhonk tree.
The safari was very convenient and we took one in the afternoon. We were whisked away in a Gypsy and the moment we entered we saw plenty of India Grey Langurs and Nilgai. A little ahead we caught a glimpse of a Lepoard who promptly shied away into the curves of the Aravallis. With the alarm calls of the Nilgais we waited for a bit but the Leopard didn’t show himself. So we took a mutual decision to explore the rest of the forest and not keep waiting.
The forest itself is very beautiful for exploring. One part is a fairly high hill and while climbing I had new found respect for the Gypsy as a worthy 4X4 vehicle as well as the driver. Safaris for us are not for the big cats alone but also the explore and see the forests, hear its sounds, smell its fragrances… note: one is not allowed to get down from the safari vehicle once inside the park.
Jhalana has a lot to offer. As of now it’s still not too crowded. We would definitely want to go again…
How to reach Jhalana Leopard Reserve: Being right in the middle of Jaipur City, one can reach by road, train or flight. Jaipur is very well connected to all major train routes and flights.
Booking A Safari: There are many websites that come up when you search for Jhalana Safari Booking. I guess you can look at those or just send us a message via comments and we can connect you to some nice people.
fabulous wild life post sharing thank u very much
Amazing clicks 🙂 Paramvir
The picture have made me fall in love with this sanctuary. Beautiful work!
I know Jaipur is a beautiful city with a lot of ornately-decorated buildings, but I was completely oblivious about the existence of this leopard sanctuary, right in the city no less! It’s amazing how Jaipur takes a different approach in using its land area. As opposed to turning green spaces into commercial centers or residential areas like what most other cities do, a vast plot of land was instead dedicated for a wildlife sanctuary. This is something other cities around the globe can learn to replicate.
You are so right. In fact even Mumbai has the Sanjay Gandhi National Park bang in the middle of the city. The real deal is how we are able to protect these areas and keep that protection for ever…
You are right, the locals of Jaipur come here less, they do not even know. It has not been talked about in any paper or discussion .. I have gone 2 times in it .. It is better to see the wildlife rather than sit in a cafe
A fruitful trip, eh!
Grrreat photographs from Jhalna. Nice to know about the sanctuary and this project to protect the leopard.
beautiful places amazing destination good photography tours
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i have visited jhalana 2 times. one is last time… situated in the middle of Jaipur I like it very much
Jaipur is one of the best place to visit as a tourist. Got to know more about the city through your blog. Thanks. By the way all photos are excellent.
Such an incredible and instructive post thanks for sharing your perspectives about Jhalana the Leopard Sanctuary inside Jaipur. I visited jaipur once however I didn’t think about this leopard Sanctuary and I think it is smarter to see the untamed life as opposed to sit in a bistro. After read your blog I put Leopard Sanctuary in my basin bucket list and I need to visit this spot at the earliest opportunity with my loved once