About Jawai

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Land of Leopards, or Jawai National Park, is a prominent wildlife sanctuary known for its leopard population in the desert state of India-Rajasthan. Situated in Pali district, learning about Jawai National Park is worth it as it grabs the attention of nature and adventure enthusiasts looking for an immersive wilderness experience. Jawai Park is not just famous for being the best place for sighting leopards. It is also known for the Rabari tribe whose bond with leopards is distinctive.

Apart from these elusive cats, the park is home to other animals like sloth bears, hyenas, jackals, and more. The variety of migratory birds here will also impress you thoroughly. Also known as Jawai Bandh, even with so many wildlife sanctuaries present in Rajasthan, people from all over the globe are drawn to Jawai National Park, and the entire credit goes to Jawai National Park Leopards Safari. Want to learn more about the park, the best time to visit, and more? Let’s have a look below.

History of Jawai National Park

Jawai National Park in Pali, Rajasthan, is one of the newest wildlife sanctuaries situated between Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary and Aravalli Hills. The park spans across 650 square kilometers and is known for rich biodiversity, specifically for leopards. The highest density of leopards is found in Jawai National Park, so learning about the history of Jawai National Park is immensely important. Jawai Bandh was built by Maharaja Umaid Singh, ruler of Jodhpur at that time, before the government turned it into a wildlife conservation area.

The Jawai region was inhabited for centuries with historical significance as it is near the Jawai Dam constructed in 1957. The dam over the Jawai River is a known feature providing water to the nearby regions. The surrounding rocky terrain and natural landscape support wildlife, including the wild cats and leopards, who have a unique bond with the locals here.

Jawai was not initially a leopard conservation area, but due to protecting the endangered species of leopard here, the Rajasthan state government recognized the importance of preserving the ecosystem, including crocodiles, wild boar, and the many bird species.
Jawai National Park continues to be a model of conservation, blending wildlife protection with sustainable tourism, and remains an important area for leopard conservation.

Wildlife in Jawai National Park

Jawai Leopard Safari

Leopard’s density in this region is the highest, and the bond they share with the locals here is famous. To see these elusive creatures roam in their natural habitat, a Jawai Leopard safari is a perfect option. The leopard safari exposes you to these shy cats playing hide & seek with their family or hunting their prey. Jawai is known for leopards roaming freely in the region, so spotting them is pretty easy. Leopard safari is famous due to the bond the locals have here with these elusive creatures. People spend hours here spotting leopards playing, hunting, interacting with the locals, and more.

Jawai Crocodile Reserve

The Jawai River, flowing 96 km in the north-west direction, is home for spotting the crocodiles in their natural habitat. The stunning water of Jawai is the best place for breeding of Indian Mugger Crocodiles, which is why it is the known crocodile reserve of Jawai. At the crocodile reserve, you will see the reptiles basking and hunting on the river banks. This is an integral attraction for the wildlife enthusiast here. More than 250 crocodiles here make it an adventure sight. Head here during the winter season for enjoying the reptiles soaking in the sun or laying around the dam.

Birding in Jawai

For an avid birdwatcher, wildlife at Jawai holds many species of birds, adding to the beauty here. Birdwatching, especially between October and March, is an activity you should not miss, specifically for migratory birds. The bird species you will see here include raptor families, migratory birds, and the local birds of Jawai, enhancing your birding experience. The major bird species you will find here include the Painted Store, Pelican, Eurasian Roller, Ruddy Shelduck, Purple Heron, Little Cormorant, and more.

Key Attractions

Jawai Bandh

The Jawai River, a tributary of Luni, is an exotic place for capturing the beautiful views of Jawai. It was built in 1946 and was completed in 11 years. It is the biggest dam in the Western Rajasthan region, covering acres of land and offering beautiful views of sunset and sunrise. The dam is known for the beautiful sightings of birds and crocodiles, letting you experience the wildlife at Jawai from here too. The immersive views here will keep you on your toes.

Tribal Tour in Jawai

Rebari tribe in Jawai, natives here rearing cattle and engaging in farming most of their lives, is the heart of this place. The region has been inhabited by the tribe for centuries, guarding the nature and the wildlife here. They are fluent in English and modern technologies but choose to stay here to enjoy the bond between the leopards and the humans here.

The tribal tour in Jawai takes you through the villages, offering an insight into the rural lifestyle of the people here. This ethereal experience where you pass the mud houses allowing everyone to witness their lives is simply amazing. You can also head for a cattle drive with them for an impressive ending to your tour here.

Jawai Hills

Jawai Hills are gigantic granite hills surrounding the village. These were formed naturally years ago and as per the story due to some geological activity. It is now home to many wild animals, offering a great trekking experience for all adventure lovers. Wandering near the rocks is one of the best activities to undertake. Moreover, near the caves, you can also spot reptiles like cobra, python, bats, and other species.

Places to Visit Near Bera Jawai National Park

Dev Giri Temple

Learning about Jawai National Park also includes knowing about the nearby places to Bera Jawai National Park. The first place that stands out is Dev Giri Temple. It is a cave in a sanctuary protecting the goddess. The cave is known as ‘Devgiri’ or ‘God’s own hill.’ Situated amidst granite hills, the carving of the temple is of the stones where leopards and priests have an unsaid bond. The unique bond ensures locals and leopards in the same region without harming each other.

Kambeshwar Mahadev Temple

Kambeshwar Mahadev Temple is another place to visit Bera Jawai National Park. 11 km away from Jawai, it is ideal for the wanderers and religious people. The temple built in the hill center is known for its ascent and height. Head here in November to also enjoy the annual fair, making it a memorable journey.

Abhinav Mahaveer Dham

8 km from Jawai National Park, Abhinav Mahaveer Dham’s architecture is impressive, to say the least. Ideal for tourists requiring solitude, it is one of the most visited places by Jain people.

Ranakpur Jain Temple

Ranakpur Jain Temple was constructed by Darna Shah, who created this temple to realize a dream he had. The temple is constructed on land given by King Rana Kumbha of Mewar in the 14th and 15th centuries. It is one of the five temples considered sacred by Jainis.

Flora and Fauna of Jawai

Jawai National Park is famous for its leopards, true. But the biodiversity of Jawai is wide due to the unique geography and diverse habitat supporting multiple varieties of wildlife. The Flora of Jawai includes other fascinating creatures (not just the wildcats) like the striped hyena, Indian wolf, panther, nilgai, Indian fox, desert fox, Indian eagle owl, mongoose, blackbuck, and the elusive wolf and the hyena.

Jawai is also a haven for birdwatchers as it is home to many migratory birds like pelicans, terns, gulls, lapwings, bush chats, flycatchers, bee-eaters, and more. The Jawai reservoir is also home to flamingos, a rare sight in the desert state.

About Jawai National Park’s flora, one can find plants, shrubs, and trees, including

Acacia species like Babul adapted to the arid condition of the region.
A cacti-like shrub is iconic to the landscape of Jawai.
Kikar, a flowering tree relying on animals to spread the seeds.
Palash trees, Zizyphus, Senna, and others with other medicinal plants.

Conservation Efforts

Leopards are an elusive but beautiful animal; the majestic cats are also endangered due to the conflict between humans and the predatory cats. The Jawai Bandh region has been home to leopards for decades. In order to preserve these wild cats, the government gave the bandh the status of ‘Jawai Leopard Conservation Reserve’ on February 23, 2010.

Conservation efforts by the forest department of Rajasthan include turning the area near the bandh into the Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve. The government keeps adding new villages to the wildlife area, ensuring the preservation of these cats, with the recent addition happening in 2018.

The government also declared 645.36 hectares and 47771.00 hectares of land for preserving these elusive cats.

Best Time to Visit Jawai National Park

The best time to visit Jawai National Park is between the months of October and early April. The park is open from early September to mid-May annually, and you can head here anytime, but here are a few reasons why these months are ideal for visiting Jawai National Park.

Pleasant weather: The park is situated in Pali, Rajasthan, and the state is known for scorching summers. Thus, the winter months from October to April are ideal as the weather is cool and pleasant. This makes the months ideal for outdoor activities and wildlife sightings.
Leopard spotting: It is the dry season improving visibility, making it ideal for spotting leopards near the rocky areas and water bodies.
Bird photography: The winter months are also ideal for bird photography, as you will witness the migratory birds like pelicans and flamingos.

How to Reach Jawai National Park?

For exploring the park and taking the Jawai leopard safari, knowing how to reach Jawai using one of the multiple transportation options available is necessary. Here is a guide on the same.

By air: Udaipur airport is the nearest airport, 150 km from Jawai, and the alternative airport is Jodhpur airport, 170-kilometers away. Renting a cab to reach Jawai is one of the best ways to head to Pali to enjoy the wilderness here.
By road: The Jawai region is well connected to other parts of Rajasthan by road. The routes to Jaipur include these two routes:

Ahmedabad-Udaipur-Ranakpur-Jawai
Ahmedabad-Abu Road-Sumperpur-Jawai
You can also pick a few other routes from Jaipur, Jodhpur, and other nearby cities.

By train: Train connects Jawai to other cities through Jawai Bandh (JWB), 5 km from the region, and Falna (FA), 30 km away. Falna is a great stop for multiple trains, including Rajdhani and Shatabdi.

FAQ’s About Jawai (Jawai National Park)

What is Jawai National Park famous for?

Jawai National Park situated in Rajasthan’s heart between Udaipur and Jodhpur in Pali district. Jawai Bandh, as it is popularly known as, is the perfect place for witnessing leopards and the diverse flora and fauna. Known best for leopard sightings, you will also be able to see other impressive animals here like the majestic cats, Sloth bears, migratory bird species and more.

Where is Jawai National Park located?

Jawai leopard sanctuary or park is located within the Pali district, Rajasthan, India. Paili is situated between Jodhpur and Udaipur and is best known for its leopard sightings. The other animals you will find here include desert cats, chinkaras, sloth bears, and striped hyenas.

How do I book a Leopard Safari?

To book a Jawai leopard safari, head to https://jawaileopardsafari.org/ or call 9983359900. The booking procedure is simple, click on the site or call, fill in the form with details about the safari, passengers, arrival date and more. A sales representative will call you and book your safari as per your needs. Remember these things:

Leopard safari is best year-round as the chances of spotting the tigers are 95%-99%.
Evening safari is usually run between 5 pm- 8 pm but it can vary as per the climatic condition.

What animals can be spotted in Jawai National Park?

Jawai national park is known for leopard safari. Moreover, you will also spot over 100-species of migratory birds here like ospreys, egrets, pond herons, owls and more. Other animals you can spot here include chinkara, Indian wolf, sloth bear, jackal, jungle cat, blue bulls and more.

What is the best time for a leopard safari in Jawai?

Jawai leopard safari runs throughout the year and it is the perfect time for exploring the wilderness here. Yet, if looking for a specific season, the months between September to February are ideal for heading to a leopard safari. The summer timings are between 5 am to 8 am (Mornings) and 5 pm to 8 pm (evenings).

Is the Jawai Leopard Safari safe?

Jawai leopard safari, Rajasthan is considered safe and there are a number of reasons for the same. For instance:

The leopards here are friendly and cool with people, not engaging or fighting with humans. They attack only the wild animals for food.
Resorts also have extreme security measures protecting guests from wild animals.

Are there any temples to visit near Jawai?

Yes, there are a few temples near Jawai for you to visit. These include:

Dev Giri Temple: Devigiri temple or ‘God’s own hill’ is a cave protecting the goddess also known as Jawai Devgiri cave temple. Carved with stones, the leopards and priests here have a beautiful bond, with the latter roaming here without harming the humans.

Kambeshwar Mahadev Temple: Kambeshwar Mahadev temple near Bera Jawai, 11 km from the park is an ideal place for curious souls and tourists. The temple built in the center is known for its ascent and height.

Ranakpur Jain Temple: The temple was built on land by King Rana Kumbha (King of Mewar) in the 14th and 15th centuries. It is one of the five temples Jains consider sacred and is also known as Chaturmkha Dharna Vihara devoted to Tirthankara Rishabhanatha.

What is unique about the Rabari tribe in Jawai?

The Rabari tribe is known for their unique elegant attire and red turbans have coexisted with these impressive creatures for decades. These are semi-nomadic herders who migrated from Iran through Afghanistan years ago. They settled in the peaks and plains of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Rabaris see the leopards as an integral part of their cultural heritage believing them to be their protectors. Thus, there exists a harmonious relationship between leopards and humans, a unique phenomenon for all.

Are children allowed on safaris in Jawai?

Yes, children are permitted on Jawai leopard safari but you have to follow some rules. For instance, children below 2-years of age and infants are not allowed in the safari. You will have to pay for the child too in the safari. Moreover, keep an eye on your children even though the Leopards are friendly and do not hurt humans, being vigilante is best.