Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary

Location: Between Agra and Jaipur. Area: 28.7 sq km Established: Acknowledged a bird sanctuary in 1956 and a National   Park in 1981. (165 kms) Accessibility: Nearest Airport: Jaipur Best time to visit: November to March.

Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary in Rajasthan is one of the most visited wildlife sanctuaries in India. Known for its wide variety of birds and animals, it is a wonderful retreat for nature lovers. The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 578 square km and its altitude ranges from 500 to 1300 meters.

This sanctuary is a natural abode for an array of wildlife comprising jungle cat, wolf, neelgai, hare, sloth bear, four horned antelope, etc, and the birds in the sanctuary include bulbul, red owls, white breasted kingfishers, parakeets, golden oriole, doves, peacocks and many others. From amongst the natural beauty and the wilderness of the forest one can see the famous Kumbhalgarh Fort situated on a hilltop of Aravalli range, it is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan. Rana Kumbha built this fort in 1458, and this is where the Kumbhalgarh wildlife sanctuary derived its name. One gets a pleasing view of the sanctuary from the terrace of the fort.

The sanctuary is just 60 km away from the city of Udaipur, and hence is a wonderful retreat from the city’s scorching sun. In summers one can easily spot a wolf or other birds drinking water from small water bodies, which is a welcome sight. The usual safari in the forest takes you from the entry to Ghanerao and then to an old abandoned road. With pleasant weather all year round, this place is a paradise for those who love being in the lap of Mother Nature and admire its beauty.