Wildlife - Tour in Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur)

Location : Bharatpur. Area : 232sq.km.

Best Time to Visit : The best time of the to visit the park is between October - February.

Climate : SummerTemperature from April - June varies from 38°C to 45°C Monsoon Temperature is about 27°C. Winter Temperature of the park falls below 10°C.

Access : Bharatpur is well connected by road from Agra (56 km, 5 hours), Delhi (176 km, 5 hours) and Jaipur (176 km, 6 hours), all of which have airports. The Bharatpur railway station is 6 km from the park.

Introduction : On 10th March 1982 this area, was declared as a National Park and in December 1985 it was accepted as a World Heritage site. Keoladeo National Park welcomes more than 415 species of birds every year to nestle in it''''s 29 sq km, out of which 11 sq km are marshes and the rest is scrubland and grassland. This bird sanctuary also known as Keoladeo Ghana even houses sambar, chital, nilgai and boar. Most of the parks of the ancient times were developed from the hunting preserves of the princes. But this park''''s uniqueness is that it was the only animal house created by a king (Maharaja) for hunting. Keoladeo is an ancient Hindu temple devoted to Lord Shiva situated in the centre of this park and Ghana means dense, which are in context to the thick area forests which covered this area. This is how Bharatpur National Park gets it''''s name Keoladeo National Park.

Wildlife Species : This spectacular harmony also houses a range of mammals and reptiles, nilgai, sambar, chital, leopard and the wild bear are some of them. Large rock pythons can also be spotted here. Keoladeo National Park is open throughout the year, the best season to visit the park is between October - February.

Bird Species : The most popular amongst all the migrating birds at Keoladeo National Park is the Siberian crane or the great white crane. It migrates every year during the winters, covering a distance of almost half the globe. The journey to this sanctuary is 6400 km from their breeding grounds in Siberia. There stay lasts from December-March. Many species of cranes, geese, eagles, wheatears, wagtails etc. and other migrating birds are found here. The heronry of Keoladeo is one of the finest in the world. This heronry is a breeding ground for 17 species of birds namely grey heron, purple heron, night heron, large egret, median egret, little egret, cattle egret, large cormorant etc.

Park particulars : Keoladeo National Park is open all year from dawn to dusk. Cycle-rickshaws can be hired to go around the park and the rickshaw pullers are well trained by the park management in bird watching areas. Entrance and camera fees (both nominal) are paid at the gate and checked inside at the barrier. Freelance naturalist guides are also available. Bicycles are available on hire at the gate or lodge where you stay and can be used to tour the Sanctuary.