Sariska National Park

Sariska National Park, known as the Sariska Tiger Reserve, is located in the Aravali Hills and has an area of around 800 square kilometers, which includes grasslands, dry deciduous forests, cliffs, and rocky scenery. The protected park area is a part of the Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion and the Aravali Range. The Sariska National Park surrounds “Siliserh Lake” and “Jai Samand Lake,” and numerous crocodiles, water snakes, and other land and water species call it home. Also, there are a few tourist attractions near Sariska, and it offers a remote retreat. For visitors, it evokes a sense of absolute tranquility and endless expanses of botanical diversity.

Quick Fact

The Sariska National Park region is regarded as one of the most important locations in Hindu culture and has a rich history. Locals firmly believe that Pandavas have been to the location. During the pivotal 13th year of their exile, they remained. There are ample stories you can still hear from locals about the presence of the Pandavas.

History of Sariska National Park

The history of “Sariska National Park” dates back to the period before independence. Previously, the Kings or other regal individuals used this area as a private hunting retreat. Following independence, the circumstances changed, and the kings lost their royal authority. Common people started taking part in wild animal hunting for food and clearing land for farming. As a result, due to government indifference and ongoing hunting, the number of wild animals in this area has been steadily declining. However, in 1973, the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary was not one of the nine reserves designated for the Tiger Project. The Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary was officially incorporated in 1979 as part of the Tiger Initiative.

Flora and Fauna of Sariska National Park

The Sariska National Park’s forests are dry deciduous, with Dhok as the prevailing tree type, with delicate to direct inclines constituting more than 90% of the tree shelter. The edges bolster Salar on steep, dry slants. Khair and Cheela happen in valley beds. Bamboo only grows to a limited extent in damp and colder areas. Aam, Jamun, Arjun, and Bahera grow in clammy despair and grow to enormous sizes on the nallah’s (water body) banks. The forests are rich green during the rainy season but completely dry in late spring.

The wildlife in the national park is abundant. The forest’s carnivores include the jaguar, hyena, jackal, and jungle cats. Rare sightings of caracals and wild dogs are common. Sambhar, Chital, Nilgai, wild boar, hare, porcupine, and other creatures are among the prey populations. The variety of animals in Sariska National Park is unique. Regarding the bird species, there are 225 varieties, including the gray partridge, sand grouse, crested serpent eagle, woodpecker, horned owl, tree pie, bush quail, and many others.

Places to Visit Near Sariska National Park

Sariska Tiger Reserve has several tourist attractions, including historic sites, mysterious forts, temple ruins, and picturesque lakes. In addition, you can drive to Alwar, which has its monuments and museum collections, while you are at Sariska Tiger Reserve. Some of the best places are:

Kankwari Fort

The Kankwari Fort is situated around 25 km from the reserve’s entrance. Dara Shikoh, the youngest son of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, was imprisoned here by his disobedient brother Aurangzeb in the 17th century. From October through July, the fort is open for business. From the fort’s vantage point, the jungle panorama is stunning.

Pandupol Hanuman Temple

The Pandavas are said to have spent their final year of exile in a location that can only be the present-day Sariska, according to the Mahabharata. Thus, the reserve has its share of historical temples. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, a continuous stream of people visits the Pandupol Hanuman Temple.

Neelkanth Temple

On a solitary hill in a buffer zone is the Neelkanth Temple for Lord Shiva. Amid the 300 temples that were thought to have been at this location at one time, the temple, built around the 10th century, stands regal in its architectural splendor. The temple is accessible through a sloping path and is open every day except Sunday.

Siliserh Lake

The artificial Siliserh Lake is a beautiful sight against the ancient Aravalli Mountains, and the Sariska Palace is located on its banks. Crocodiles, migrating birds, and other wildlife abound in the lake. Most of the nation’s crocodiles are found in Siliserh Lake, and as you stroll along the river’s banks, you can see them lounging on the grass.

Safari in Sariska National Park

Jeep Safari in Sariska

The Sariska jungle can be explored on a Jeep Safari for around 3:30 hours. A small party of six persons can explore the jungle and wild creatures in their natural habitat by taking a Jeep Safari.

Despite the fact that any six people can go on a Jeep safari, it is especially recommended for wildlife photographers since they can easily catch the exceptional moments of the Royal Tiger and other wild animals with their camera.

Winter timings

  • Morning: 07:00 a.m. To 10:00 a.m.
  • Evening: 02:00 p.m. To 05:00 p.m.

Summer Timings

  • Morning: 06:00 a.m. To 09:00 a.m.
  • Evening: 01:00 p.m. To 04:00 p.m.

Canter Safari in Sariska

Canter Safari is undoubtedly one of the pocket-friendly methods to experience Sariska National Park’s glory. It is a 20-seat open bus that departs from Sariska Gate (Gate 1) of the Sariska Tiger Reserve and is available for morning and evening sessions. When a large group of guests arrives, a canter is advised rather than making reservations for two or three jeeps. Sariska National Park’s Canter Safari should be reserved in advance because last-minute internet safari reservations are impossible. After providing the necessary information and ID documents, canters are rented online 90 days in advance.

Winter timings

  • Morning: 07:00 a.m. To 10:30 a.m.
  • Evening: 02:00 p.m. To 05:30 p.m.

Summer Timings

  • Morning: 06:00 a.m. To 09:30 a.m.
  • Evening: 03:00 p.m. To 06:30 p.m.

Night Safari in Sariska

The Sariska Tiger Reserve’s forest authorities offer Night Safari in the Sariska buffer zone. The second-largest cat in the world, the leopard, lives in the Alwar buffer zone of the Sariska Tiger Reserve. Because leopards are nocturnal (they travel at night), it is common to see them there, sometimes on the fort wall and other times on safari trails. The Sariska Tiger Reserve’s buffer zone tour will take visitors to Siliserh, Bala Quila, and the Dadikar forest area, among others. The officials claim that tourists are already interested in investigating the buffer zones and fauna.

  • Winter timings: 05:30 p.m. – 07:30 p.m.
  • Summer Timings: 06:00 p.m. – 08:00 p.m.

Hot Air Balloon Safari in Sariska

Sariska’s hot air balloon ride provides a spectacular journey above the Sariska Tiger Reserve and Bhangarh Village. The Sariska Tiger Reserve’s farthest village, Bhangarh, is where the hot air balloon flight takes off from. The Bhangarh Fort is said to be one of India’s most haunted locations, and this village is also well-known for its historical ruins.

The natural woodland environment and Bhangarh Village may be seen in stunning detail from the hot air balloon flight. The duration of the balloon flights, which generally last an hour in the morning (about 6 a.m.) and evening (around 4 p.m.), depends on the weather. Up to 8 to 11 people can ride in a hot air balloon at once. They are recommended for adventurous, first-time, and domestic travelers.

  • Winter timings: 06:00 a.m. – 05:00 p.m.

Sariska Zones & Gates

This park has two gates to offer a wildlife experience, allowing you to access its four zones. These zones are denoted as Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, and Zone 4. From all these zones, Zone 1 to Zone 3 is highly recommended for enjoying tiger sightings. Zone 4 has a slightly low chance of spotting tigers but is equally suitable for wildlife exploration. In addition, the gates also play a significant role in exploring the zones of Sariska National Park. The Sariska Gate has access to the three zones (Zone 1, Zone 2, & Zone 3). The second gate, Telha, is 80 km away from Sariska. These zones will follow the designated paths to cover, and the chances of spotting animals only depend on your luck. However, these zones are covered with vehicles that can make any difference in the wildlife experience. But they will both have to follow the same route the forest department has assigned.

Zone 1: This zone is one of the most visited by wildlife lovers as the chances of spotting animals are high. You will also have the option to choose both types of safari – Jeep and Canter.

Details of Route: Sariska – Ghanka tiraya – Tarunda – Brahmanath – Kalighati – Pandupol- Sariska

ZONE 2: This zone is not highly famous, but the chances are still high to spot wild species of animals. In addition, both safaris are available for this zone.

Details of Route: Sariska gate – Bharthari Tibara – Karnakabas – Jalebi Chowk – Algual – Naya pani – Geru ka tirya – Kalighati – Pandupole – Sariska

ZONE 3: This zone is also known as Zone 1 and is popular among wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers. You will get a better chance to spot birds here with both safari options.

Details of Route: Sariska gate – Bharthari Tibara – Karnakabas – Jalebi Chowk – Algual – Naya pani – Geru ka tirya – Kalighati – Pandupole –Sariska

ZONE 4: It is the least popular zone among all the zones of Sariska National Park and is located far away from the other zones. As per the reports, the sightings are also low, making it the least visited area of Sariska National Park.

Details of Route: Tehla gate – Chamari ka bera – Kalighati – Pandupole – Tehla

Resorts at Sariska National Park

Sariska National Park, situated in Rajasthan, offers a unique wildlife and natural experience. Here’s a list of resorts that provide a variety of accommodations, from eco-friendly to luxury, to cater to the diverse needs and interests of visitors seeking to explore Sariska National Park.

  • Sariska Safari Lodge
  • Sariska Palace
  • Alwar Bagh Sariska by Aamod
  • Vanaashrya
  • Sterling Sariska
  • The Tiger Den Resort
  • Sariska Tiger Camp
  • Siliserh Lake Palace
  • Sariska – A Sterling Holidays Resort
  • Sariska Heritage

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    BEST TIME TO VISIT SARISKA NATIONAL PARK

    SUMMER SEASON

    (March – June)

    Summer is the ideal time for wildlife sightings in Sariska National Park, as all the zones are accessible. Between April and June, Sariska National Park sees the least tourist influx. It is due to the high temperatures that make safari difficult. Days get extremely hot, and nights are cold. However, there is a higher chance of spotting the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger in and around the water bodies of the national park.

    MONSOON SEASON

    (July – September)

    Monsoon season is usually not considered the best time for wildlife tours in India. However, if you are visiting Sariska National Park, you have great luck as it remains open even during monsoons. You can enjoy a jungle safari, open for tourists in the BalaQuila buffer zone. The forest authorities aim to promote eco-tourism in this region and focus on tourists enjoying the richness in biodiversity of the forest rather than looking for tigers in the buffer zone.

    WINTER SEASON

    (October – March)

    During this Season, the weather remains pleasant and calm, offering wildlife buffs a comfortable safari experience. Winter is the best time to visit Sariska National Park due to the lower temperatures. All zones of the Sariska National Park are open during this time of the year, which increases your chances of spotting the Royal Bengal Tiger wandering in the jungle. The surroundings look beautiful, so not just the jungle safari but leisure time, relaxing on your room’s balcony will be quite memorable.

    HOW TO REACH SARISKA NATIONAL PARK

     
    By Flight
    By Train
    By Road
    The Jaipur International Airport is the closest airport to Sariska National park and is located around 110 km. This airport is well connected with the rest of the major cities of India, and internationally, flights to Sharjah, Dubai, London, Dublin, and Muscat are also available. The airport is situated in the Sanganer region of Jaipur and offers excellent facilities of transport like taxis, buses, and cabs to reach the park. 
    You can also reach there easily by choosing the rail connectivity for Sariska National Park. Alwar Junction is the nearest railway station to the national park and is located at a distance of around 38 km. Many regular and direct trains halt at Alwar Junction from major cities of India. You can arrive by train from Jaipur, Gwalior, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Delhi, Mumbai, and other towns in India. On top of that, this railway junction is a Royal heritage railway station where you can get a vibe of history. 
    The road is one of the ideal ways to reach Sariska National Park for people coming from nearby cities like Delhi and Jaipur. This tiger reserve is well connected by road with all the major cities of India. Moreover, you can pick up a state or private bus service or take your personal vehicle to Sariska by road. You can easily reach this park from cities like Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Kota. 

    TIPS FOR SARISKA NATIONAL PARK

    • Familiarize yourself with the wildlife species you may encounter. Understanding their behavior and habits can enhance your experience.
    • Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, so be patient and enjoy the natural beauty of the park even if you don’t spot certain animals.
    • Do not litter in the park. Dispose of your trash responsibly to maintain the park’s cleanliness.
    • Keep a safe distance between yourself and the animals and cars, and only park in designated parking spaces and road shoulders.
    • Watch out for your kids. Keep them close to you, especially during safaris.

    FAQs

    Is Sariska worth visiting?

    Yes, the sheer variety of species that call Sariska National Park home makes a trip there worthwhile. Even though tigers are the park’s most famous residents, you may also see jaguars, hyenas, wild boars, nilgai, four-horned antelopes, sambars, and many other animals there. In addition, a great range of birds, including the crested serpent eagle, tree pie, golden back woodpecker, and many others, can be found in the forests of Sariska.

    which animals are found in Sariska National Park?

    Hyenas, jackals, tigers, and jungle cats are just a few of the carnivores that can be found in the National Park. Here, you can also see langurs, wild boars, nilgais, and sambals. Rhesus monkeys, which are abundant in Sariska, are another well-known animal.

    Is Sariska better or Ranthambore?

    Both parks offer fantastic opportunities to see wildlife, depending on the season. Sariska is superior to Ranthambore for tiger sightings, though. Ranthambore is particularly well-known for its tigers, but it also offers a sizable area where visitors may enjoy seeing other wildlife.

    Why is Sariska National Park famous?

    Tigers and other wild cats, including jaguars, leopards, jungle cats, hyenas, jackals, and civets, are well-known in Sariska National Park. It’s a beautiful location for seeing the wonder of nature up close and going on exciting animal-spotting excursions.