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On May 22, 2022, on World Biodiversity Day, the Amagarh Leopard Reserve opened in the Pink City of India - Jaipur, Rajasthan. With this establishment, Jaipur becomes home to two Leopard Safari. The combination of this newly announced Amagarh Leopard Reserve and the Jhalana Leopard Reserve has made Jaipur the very first city in World to have two leopard reserves.
Image by Mirza Yawar Baig, Unsplash
Jhalana Leopard Safari of Jaipur
In 2017, Jhalana became the first place in India where visitors can enjoy a jungle safari to see a leopard in its natural habitat. Spread over
nearly 25 square km, the Jahalana Safari Park lies in the heart of the Aravalli Hills. This park is situated in the Malviya Industrial Area in the city of Jaipur.
The Jhalana Safari Park is home to a wide variety of animals and plants, including the elusive leopard. There are approximately 30 to 35 leopards and five cubs in this reserve. Sighting hunts are common in this safari park. In the heart of the reserve, there is a royal hunting lodge, the three-story Shikaar Audhi. It's also a great spot to watch the sunrise and sunset. Many from nearby cities come to visit for a one-day trip.
Jhalana Leopard Reserve's Flora and Fauna
Due to its deciduous nature, Jhalana's forest remains largely arid for the majority of the year. During the dry season, most of the leaves turn brown and fall off the trees. The park is dominated by juliflora and khejri. Flowers like Dhak, Dhonk, Kumta, and Salar are also common in this region.
Leopards aren't the only animals in this park. Desert foxes, jackals, Blue Bull (Nilgai), Hyena, monitor lizards, mongooses, spotted deer, and jungle cats are also available in this park. Leopards can even be seen during the daytime as they have become habituated to the presence of jeeps and humans.
As a birdwatcher's paradise, Jhalana National Park is a must-visit place for photographers and bird enthusiasts. The park is home to a variety of bird species, including the Dusky Eagle, Spotted Owlet, Indian Pitta, and Owl.
Best Time to visit The Jhalana Leopard Reserve of Jaipur
Because of its exotic beauty and commitment to conservation tourists visit this place all year round. The Jhalana Leopard Reserve is open throughout the year. From November through April, the weather is pleasant, and the months of March through May are ideal for viewing the Jhalana Leopard in its natural habitat.
Jhalana Safari of Jaipur
In the morning and the evening, safaris are available. You can hire a six-passenger jeep. For Photographers, a half-day safari can also be arranged. One needs to pay permit charges, the entrance fee, guide fee vehicle fee and additional fees for the professional guide and drive facility. An online booking facility is available, these bookings are non-transferable and the booking cannot be cancelled. Id proof submitted at the time of booking is the same passenger is asked for proof at the park.
Reaching Jhalana, Jaipur Leopard Reserve
Jhalana Leopard Reserve can be accessed by rail, road, or air.
Jhalana Leopard Reserve is around 6 km from Jaipur International Airport.
The Jhalana Leopard Reserve is a distance of 12 km from the Jaipur Junction Railway. The Jhalana Leopard Reserve contains highways that connect to important towns like Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kota, Udaipur etc.
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Amagarh Leopard Reserve of Jaipur
The Amagarh Leopard Reserve covers an area of 16 square kilometres in east Jaipur and is located in the Aravalli mountain range. The reserve is currently home to around 15 to 20 leopards, along with many other wild animals, birds and plant species. Besides all these attractions, tourists can also enjoy the sight of Amagarh fort, Amabamata temple, Galta temple, and Raghunath fort, which are also part of the park.
Amagarh Leopard Reserve's Flora and Fauna
The Amagarh forest region is classified as a tropical mixed or monsoon forest type. The common plants which grow in the park include Dhonk, Goya Khair, Kumtha, Salar, Totalis, etc. They are mainly spotted on the steep slopes of the Khejri hill in the plain, sandy areas of the park. Although the Amagarh Reserve is mainly popular for its leopards, there are also a lot of other carnivorous as well as herbivorous animals dwelling in the shelters of the reserve. The list includes Asian deer, hyenas, jackals, wild cats, foxes, civet cats, monkeys, rabbits, sambhar, nilgai, etc. The Amagarh Leopard Reserve Park has around 250 different bird species. Tourists will be able to spot bulbuls, babblers, doves, mynas, peacocks, parakeets, partridges, robins, shikra, woodpeckers, and other birds. Besides these, migratory birds such as the Eurasian cuckoos, golden orioles, northern goshawks, Orient scops owls, Pallid scops owls, pittas, pied cuckoos, and paradise flycatchers can be seen occasionally in this forest reserve.
Best Time to visit The Amagarh Leopard Reserve of Jaipur
Leopard sightings are common throughout the year in both Jaipur's reserve parks, Jhalana and Amagarh. However, the months of November to April are considered to be the best for visiting these leopard reserve parks. The winter months, from November to February, are ideal for birdwatchers and photographers due to the pleasantly cool weather.
Amagarh Safari of Jaipur
Safari drives are available in two main shifts: the morning shift and the evening shift. The morning shift is from 5.30 a.m. to 8 a.m. and the evening shift is from 4.45 p.m. to 7.15 p.m. Two major and one minor safari track have been created within the forest area to provide the best leopard safari experience in Amagarh Park. Around ten safari jeeps with a capacity of 120 passengers will be available daily. Tourists will enter and exit the park through a gate near Galata's Vipassana core zone.
Reaching Amagarh, Jaipur Leopard Reserve
The Amagarh Leopard Reserve can be reached by car, taxi, or bus from Jaipur (25 to 30 min from city). You can also take a train to Amagarh station. You can also use airports Jaipur airport (18 Km), which have direct flights to all major Indian cities.
