Wildlife Sancturies around Delhi

Whether you are a tourist visiting India, or a native wanting to see some of India's fauna, flora and amazing wildlife. Delhi and some of the surrounding areas have something to offer as well as wildlife sanctuaries near Delhi.

Najafgarh Drain Bird Sanctuary

This  is a wetland and wildlife bird sanctuary. Part of Sahibi River, Najafgarh jheel Lake and a tribute of the Yumana River this sanctuary is situated near Keshopur Bus Depot, Tilak Nagar and Vikaspuri.  There is a long inspection road along which you can view the wildlife  from the comfort of your car or by foot.

Delhi National Zoological Park

This park boasts a very successful breeding program for Asiatic Lions, Indian Rhino and the Bengal Tiger etc. 

The park covers over 170 acres and is easily found situated next to The Old Fort of Delhi.

Housing over 1350 animals of more than 125 different species, this well kept and well laid out zoo is very popular. For those too tired to walk in the searing heat of Delhi, there is also an electric vehicle which can be booked to take you round the sites.

Know more about it here

Address: Mathura Rd, New Delhi, DL 110003
Area: 71 ha
Opened: 1959

Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary

This sanctuary  is only 25 km from Indira Gandhi Airport, near Tughlaqabad Fort. Near Sanjay Colony, Bhatti Mines, this bird sanctuary is home to around 200 species of bird, both native and migratory. Also to be seen are Blue Bulls (Nilgai), mammals, cats (Civet, Jungle Cat etc), Jackals and so on. 

Over 1700 troublesome Rhesus Macaque monkeys which have been over running Delhi, have been re homed in a sanctuary here.

Address:
Near Tuglaqabad Fort, on the way of Surajkund Mela
25 km (16 mi) from Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi

Jim Corbett National Park

This is probably one of the most famous national parks in India. Named after the late,  great,  hunter/naturalist/photographer Jim Corbett, here you can enjoy a jeep safari or elephant safari with the backdrop of the Himalayas. 

Ramnagar Town is nearby and Corbett Park is easily reached by car, bus, train etc. This was the first established tiger reserve and is home to elephants, leopards, tigers and over 600 species of birds.

Address: Ramnagar, Nainital, Uttaranchal, 244715

Sariska

A little closer to Delhi (at only 4 hours drive and 200 km away), is Sariska. Whilst here, you can also visit the beautiful Siliserh Lake in Alwar in the state of Rajasthan. 

This 866 km park is the first park to successfully relocate tigers. Here you can also see the Chousingha (a four horned antelope), the Crested Serpent, leopards, tigers and other native species.

Address: Alwar, RJ 301001
Area: 866 km²

Bharatpur, Rajasthan

This place is a world heritage site. Only 4 hours from Delhi and 180 km away, this bird sanctuary is definitely worth a visit. You can make a detour and visit the beautiful Fatepur Sikri.

Panna National Park

Another tiger reserve worth visiting is the award winning Panna National Park in Madhya Pradesh.  Slightly further from Delhi at 575 km away, it is still accessible by car, bus etc. 

Sitting in the foothills of the Himalayas, this 820 km park covers Uttarakand's Haridwar, Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal.

Having won the award for the best maintained national park in India. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, residents of this park are, to name a few, Sloth Bear, tigers, parakeets, vultures, wolves and so on.  

From a boat tour on the Ken River, you can also, if lucky, spot gharials and crocodiles. If going, you will definitely have to schedule time to visit the nearby Khajuraho Jain Temples with their erotic sculptures.

Address: Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh 471405