Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary

The Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary is probably the main tourist destination for wildlife and wildlife lovers visiting Rajasthan. Travelers love visiting the sanctuary as it offers great views of the wildlife in their natural habitat. The place has immense historical significance for the people of Rajasthan in general and Bikaner in particular.

Location and history

Located about 32 kilometers from Bikaner in the state of Rajasthan, the Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary is a favorite tourist destination for wildlife lovers. The sanctuary is home to a large number of wild animal species, but the unique factor that draws tourists to this place is that they can see these species in their natural element and environment. The experience is very different from observing wild animals in a zoo with their movements severely restricted by the cages.

This is the same place that the Bikaner Maharaja used as a hunting ground. There was an abundance of wildlife in the forest here which were used as game hunting by the former rulers of the place. Today, the Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary is used to conserve a variety of wildlife and educate visitors about their habitat and lifestyle.

Flora and fauna

The sanctuary extends over vast wooded areas covered with dense vegetation, tall trees and countless shrubs and plants. The sanctuary also has a beautiful lake. It is home to numerous common and rare animals, including wild birds, desert foxes, hares, deer, antelope, blue bulls, black bucks, chinkaras, and many more. Visitors can also see a wide variety of migratory birds, especially during the winter season. They are generally visible near the lake area of ​​the sanctuary.

What to expect

On your lucky day, it is possible to catch a glimpse of rare birds such as the Imperial Sandgrouse that hail from faraway Siberia. The place also has a significant population of waterfowl, Indian bustard and Moiselle cranes. The Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary is considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the region offering an abundance of stunning natural beauty. The presence of a lake, a palace, lush vegetation, a dense forest and a garden in the same place make it a destination not to be missed on your itinerary. The lake in particular is a place of amazing scenery as it attracts thousands of water birds. You can see stunning images of large herds of deer grazing freely. The management of the Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary offers a choice of camel safaris or jeep safaris to travel through the sanctuary. You can also opt for a sightseeing tour and a nature walk to get a personal view of the incredible landscapes the sanctuary has to offer. You can take beautiful photos for your travel album if you choose the nature walk option.

The best time to visit

The Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary is open to visitors all year round. However, the best time to visit for the best views of nature, wildlife and birds is from November to April. There is an entrance fee of INR 100 per person.