Escape into the wilderness near Delhi by exploring the rich biodiversity of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, and Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan are renowned for their tiger populations and diverse ecosystems. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan, also known as Keoladeo National Park, offers a paradise for birdwatchers with its migratory bird species. For a closer-to-home experience, Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in Delhi and Surajpur Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh provide serene retreats amidst natural landscapes, making them perfect weekend getaways for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Here’s a list of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks near Delhi that are ideal for a weekend trip:
Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand:
Distance from Delhi: Approximately 235 km.
Highlights: India’s oldest national park, known for its tiger population and diverse flora and fauna.
Activities: Jeep safaris, elephant safaris, birdwatching, nature walks.
Where to Stay: Forest rest houses, resorts, and luxury hotels within and around the park.
Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan:
Distance from Delhi: Approximately 200 km.
Highlights: Home to the majestic Bengal tiger, along with leopards, hyenas, and various bird species.
Activities: Tiger safaris, birdwatching, visiting historical sites like Sariska Palace and Kankwari Fort.
Where to Stay: Forest lodges, resorts, and hotels in nearby Alwar.
Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan:
Distance from Delhi: Approximately 360 km.
Highlights: Known for its large population of Bengal tigers and diverse wildlife, including leopards, sloth bears, and marsh crocodiles.
Activities: Tiger safaris, birdwatching, visiting Ranthambore Fort.
Where to Stay: Luxury resorts, wildlife lodges, and hotels in nearby Sawai Madhopur.
Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary), Rajasthan:
Distance from Delhi: Approximately 190 km.
Highlights: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its rich avian diversity, including migratory birds like Siberian cranes.
Activities: Birdwatching, boat safaris, cycling trails.
Where to Stay: Hotels and lodges in Bharatpur town.
Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, Delhi:
Distance from Delhi: Located within Delhi, near Tughlakabad.
Highlights: Home to various species of birds, mammals, and reptiles, including the Indian leopard and nilgai.
Activities: Nature walks, birdwatching, exploring the natural trails.
Where to Stay: Accommodation options available in nearby areas of Delhi.
Surajpur Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh:
Distance from Delhi: Approximately 30 km.
Highlights: A haven for birdwatchers, with over 100 bird species including migratory birds like Siberian cranes and painted storks.
Activities: Birdwatching, nature walks, photography.
Where to Stay: Accommodation options available in nearby cities like Noida and Greater Noida.
Dudhwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh:
Distance from Delhi: Approximately 430 km.
Highlights: Known for its dense sal forests and diverse wildlife, including tigers, leopards, elephants, and swamp deer.
Activities: Jeep safaris, elephant safaris, birdwatching, visiting Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.
Where to Stay: Forest lodges, wildlife resorts, and budget hotels in nearby areas like Palia Kalan.
Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh:
Distance from Delhi: Approximately 320 km.
Highlights: A protected area along the Chambal River, known for its population of critically endangered gharials, mugger crocodiles, and river dolphins.
Activities: Boat safaris, birdwatching, exploring ravines.
Where to Stay: Limited accommodation options available in nearby towns like Agra and Etawah.
Sultanpur National Park, Haryana:
Distance from Delhi: Approximately 50 km.
Highlights: A popular bird sanctuary, home to over 250 bird species including migratory birds like Siberian cranes and flamingos.
Activities: Birdwatching, nature trails, photography.
Where to Stay: Limited accommodation options available in nearby towns like Gurgaon and Faridabad.
Kalesar National Park, Haryana:
These wildlife sanctuaries and national parks offer a perfect weekend getaway from Delhi, providing opportunities for wildlife encounters, nature walks, and serene experiences amidst natural landscapes.
here’s a list of 10 wildlife sanctuaries and national parks near Delhi for a weekend trip:
Jim Corbett National Park
Location: Ramnagar, Uttarakhand
Distance from Delhi: Approximately 250 km
How to reach: By road via NH9, or by train to Ramnagar Railway Station
Nearest Railway Station: Ramnagar Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Pantnagar Airport
Time taken: Around 5-6 hours by road
Attractions: Bengal tigers, elephants, birdwatching, Dhikala zone
Fact: India’s oldest national park, established in 1936.
Ranthambore National Park
Location: Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan
Distance from Delhi: Approximately 370 km
How to reach: By road via NH48, or by train to Sawai Madhopur Railway Station
Nearest Railway Station: Sawai Madhopur Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Jaipur International Airport
Time taken: Around 6-7 hours by road
Attractions: Royal Bengal tigers, historical Ranthambore Fort, diverse flora and fauna
Fact: Home to one of India’s largest banyan trees.
Sariska Tiger Reserve
Location: Alwar, Rajasthan
Distance from Delhi: Approximately 200 km
How to reach: By road via NH48, or by train to Alwar Railway Station
Nearest Railway Station: Alwar Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Jaipur International Airport
Time taken: Around 4-5 hours by road
Attractions: Bengal tigers, leopards, Sambar deer, historic Kankwadi Fort
Fact: Once the hunting ground of the royal family of Alwar.
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo Ghana National Park)
Location: Bharatpur, Rajasthan
Distance from Delhi: Approximately 190 km
How to reach: By road via NH19, or by train to Bharatpur Junction Railway Station
Nearest Railway Station: Bharatpur Junction Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Agra Airport
Time taken: Around 3-4 hours by road
Attractions: Migratory birds, especially during winters, birdwatching, boat rides
Fact: Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sultanpur National Park
Location: Gurgaon, Haryana
Distance from Delhi: Approximately 50 km
How to reach: By road via NH48, or by train to Gurgaon Railway Station
Nearest Railway Station: Gurgaon Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi
Time taken: Around 1-2 hours by road
Attractions: Birdwatching, migratory birds, walking trails
Fact: Once the hunting ground of the Sultan of Farrukhnagar.
Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary
Location: Delhi-Faridabad-Gurgaon border
Distance from Delhi: Approximately 20 km
How to reach: By road via Surajkund-Badkhal Road
Nearest Railway Station: Faridabad Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi
Time taken: Around 1 hour by road
Attractions: Aravalli hills, butterfly park, birdwatching, hiking trails
Fact: One of the few wildlife sanctuaries located within a metro city.
Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary
Location: Morena, Madhya Pradesh
Distance from Delhi: Approximately 380 km
How to reach: By road via NH19, or by train to Morena Railway Station
Nearest Railway Station: Morena Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Gwalior Airport
Time taken: Around 6-7 hours by road
Attractions: Gharial and mugger crocodiles, Gangetic dolphins, birdwatching
Fact: Known for its population of critically endangered gharials.
Dudhwa National Park
Location: Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh
Distance from Delhi: Approximately 430 km
How to reach: By road via NH9, or by train to Dudhwa Railway Station
Nearest Railway Station: Dudhwa Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Lucknow Airport
Time taken: Around 8-9 hours by road
Attractions: Royal Bengal tigers, Indian one-horned rhinoceros, swamp deer
Fact: Part of the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion.
Great Himalayan National Park
Location: Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Distance from Delhi: Approximately 500 km
How to reach: By road via NH3, or by train to Joginder Nagar Railway Station
Nearest Railway Station: Joginder Nagar Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Bhuntar Airport
Time taken: Around 10-11 hours by road
Attractions: Himalayan flora and fauna, trekking trails, alpine meadows
Fact: UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the elusive snow leopard.
Pench National Park
Location: Seoni and Chhindwara districts, Madhya Pradesh
Distance from Delhi: Approximately 850 km
How to reach: By road via NH44, or by train to Pench Railway Station
Nearest Railway Station: Pench Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Nagpur Airport
Time taken: Around 14-15 hours by road
Attractions: Bengal tigers, leopards, Indian wild dog, diverse flora and fauna
Fact: Believed to be the setting for Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book”.