The Terrain

A fragile ecosystem with thorny brush, shrub, and indigenous tree cover, Sariska is a lesser known pocket of wildlife in the Aravalli mountains in eastern Rajasthan. Acacia, Ficus and Bamboo are among the more commonly found flora which flourish here, and the park is home to a diverse array of animals including feline predators, herbivores, and a vast array of birds. Sariska came into the spotlight when the authorities learned that the entire tiger population had been poached to extinction. Over the last ten years, several relocation efforts from nearby Ranthambore have given the tigers a new lease on life in Sariska and a new generation has been born. Tigers compete for territory with leopards and several other species, to create a fascinating pool of biodiversity.

A Bygone Era…

  • Sariska is the erstwhile hunting ground of the royal family of Alwar and the Sariska palace which is still in existence, was used as their hunting lodge.
  • The forest is ancient and has been recorded in myth and legend for centuries. Some people believe that the Pandavas (the heroes of the Mahabharata epic in Hindu mythology) used Sariska as a place of refuge.
  • The Neelkanth Temple, worshiped by Shaivites, is situated on a hillock adjacent to the park and dates back to the 6th Century. It is also adjacent to the ruins of Bhangarh that dates back to the 1500s, which many locals believe is a very holy place, haunted by ancient spirits.
  • The 16th century fortress at Kankwadi is another vestige of Sariska’s royal heritage.

Quick Facts

Sariska is in east Rajasthan, between Jaipur and Delhi.

Topography: Nestled amid the peaks of the Aravalli mountain range, the forest is full of scrub, shrubs and indigenous trees.

In Season: Sariska is open from 1st October till 30th June.

Tigris trivia

Wildlife isn’t Sariska’s only draw. It’s also home to a couple of temples, a fortress and a palace, that make for intriguing excursions.

Saving a species…

Sariska is the first park in the world to have successfully relocated the tiger. Today a new generation of tiger cubs exist and conservationists believe that it will kick-start a new population.

CARNIVORES

While the tiger has been Sariska’s poster child, several other carnivores inhabit the forest, including leopards, which can be found in larger numbers. Mongooses, jackals, hyenas and foxes are quite commonly found. Birds of prey, particularly fish-eating owls and eagles, are drawn to the piscine prey-base that can be found around Siliserh Lake, within the park. Sariska is also one of the few parks where one can see the rare Asiatic Cariacal. This unusual species of feline is extremely elusive and only sighted infrequently. Sariska is also home to several birds of prey such as owls, falcons and eagles.

HERBIVORES

Sariska is home to a large prey-base of Sambhar and Chital (spotted deer), as well as Nilgai (Blue bull) and less often, the chaurasingha (four horned antelope). Other herbivores include porcupines, monitor lizards, and wild boar.

AVIFAUNA

Sariska is home to several beautiful and rare birds. Siliserh Lake, situated inside the park, is the perfect wetland habitat for several waterfowl and wild resident and migratory birds. While babblers, parakeets, and grouse are common and plentiful, rarer species of crane, owl, and goose are spotted here – particularly in the winter months.

Getting there

The nearest airport is at:

  • Jaipur: 130 kilometers (3 hours drive)
  • New Delhi: 190 kilometers (4 hour drive)

The nearest railway stations are at:

  • Alwar: 37 kilometers (45 minute drive)

Wake up on the wild side

Game Drives – Shared or private jeep game drives are available

Boat Safaris – boat rides on Lake Siliserh are a great way to explore the wetland wildlife.

When to visit…

While Sariska is open year round, the best time to visit are October to April. Migratory birds are best viewed during December, January and February.

Weather Vane…

Like much of north India, Sariska experiences extremes in climate. Winters can get as cold as 5 degrees centigrade (in the 20s in Fahrenheit) while summers can get as hot as 45-50 degrees centigrade (over 100 degrees in Fahrenheit). The rains are not heavy in Sariska, which make it accessible even during the monsoon season.

Your forest hideaway…

High End

Amanbagh:

what we love… what’s not to love about this haven? Amanbagh is an absolute oasis of peace, tranquility and sanctity situated within easy reach of this beautiful forest.

Deluxe

Vanashraya :

what we love…accommodations in deluxe tents give it a great blend of rustic charm and comfort.

Standard

Tiger Heaven :

what we love…it’s proximity to the park entrance.

Tiger Tips

Tiger sightings are not as good as Ranthambhore, but one can see the rest of the wildlife and do birding as well. There is a temple inside the forest which attracts pilgrims on Tuesdays, so the parks is best avoided on this day.

Must Pack

Clothing

  • Winters (November to February) – warm clothes, jackets, gloves, mufflers, hats.
  • Summers (March to June) – light coloured loose cotton clothing, a cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
  • Wear shades of beige, brown, green that help you to remain camouflaged against the forest foliage.
  • We recommend carrying sturdy walking shoes and socks.

Insect Repellant:

  • We recommend carrying insect repellant to keep bugs and mosquitoes at bay. This is also usually provided to you by your lodge and can be obtained locally.

Gear & Equipment

  • Binoculars and cameras are a tremendous advantage in the forest.
  • We also recommend carrying a global adapter and your own chargers for any electronic devices that you might have and need to charge.
  • An extra set of digital camera batteries and a memory stick is advisable. **Please remember that Internet access in parks is limited and you may not be able to upload your images or videos to the web immediately.