Sariska, a popular tourist destination in Rajasthan, is mainly known for its tiger reserve. It is a great weekend getaway from Delhi. Sariska town is 110 km from Jaipur.
Sariska has varied topography that includes grasslands, dry deciduous forests, cliffs and rocky landscape. The Aravalli mountain ranges surround the park which is covered with thick forests.
In this park you will get to see tigers, langurs, nilgais and a great variety of birds. Sariska is also surrounded by places of historical interest, temples and monuments.
Bhangarh Fort, Ajaibgarh and Pratapgarh close to Sariska are also worth a visit.
The Sariska National Park is larger than other Project Tiger Parks in India. It covers an area of around 850 sq km. In the 20th century, Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur princely state started a campaign to convert the region to a protected area. His movement culminated in Sariska being declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1958. It was later declared a national park in 1979.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ban on mining in the area since 1991, mining of marble has continued which poses a threat to the environment.
Tourists will surely enjoy the group jungle safaris which start from the entrance of the park. The wildlife usually ventures out towards the water holes in the park during early mornings and evenings.
Some of the watering holes also serve as hides (screened places) located around the best spots of animal activities or the most travelled routes.
Some of the wildlife found in the Sariska Tiger Reserve includes the Bengal tiger, leopard, jungle cat, caracal, striped hyena, golden jackal, chital, sambhar, nilgai, chinkara, four-horned antelope ‘chousingha’, wild boar, hare, Rhesus monkeys, and plenty of bird species and reptiles. Several species like Pea fowls, Grey Partridges, Tree Pies and golden backed Woodpeckers can also be found in Sariska.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN SARISKA TIGER RESERVE
Sariska Palace in the park has now been turned into a hotel. There are other luxurious resorts inside the park. But if you are looking for budget accommodations, you can easily find them at Alwar, about an hour away from Sariska. The resorts provide facilities like swimming pool, folk music and dance entertainment at night, gymnasium and sauna, to and fro transport from Delhi, Sawai Madhopur and Jaipur, etc. The hotels and resorts also arrange various leisure activities like Jeep safari, bird watching, nature walks, camel and horse safaris and sightseeing tours to nearby villages. Some lodges in the park also have Ayurvedic health centers where the guests are given specialized massages under expert supervision.
BEST PLACES TO EAT IN SARISKA TIGER RESERVE
Hotels in and around Sariska generally serve multi-cuisine spread including traditional Indian, Continental and Chinese food. Some resorts and hotels have well-stocked bars serving Indian and imported alcohol. In the park there is the Pandupol temple, outside which you will find bhajiyas, kachoris, etc. with traditional Rajasthani kadhi.
BEST TIME TO VISIT SARISKA TIGER RESERVE
The average minimum and maximum temperature of Sariska Tiger Reserve is as given below. The best time to visit Sariska Tiger Reserve is also specified.