A Unique Wilderness Adventure

Setting off on a road trip feels like spreading your wings. Granting the liberty to discover and gather remarkable tales along the way. Our recent adventure led us to the captivating Jawai Leopard Safari in Rajasthan. Now, it’s possible to reach the area by catching a flight to Udaipur or Jodhpur. And and then embarking on a short road journey for a few hours. But we opted to drive the entire distance from New Delhi for a more immersive and enriching experience.

Highly recommending the addition of a Jawai Leopard Safari to your itinerary. As it’s just 147 kilometres from Jodhpur and 153 kilometres from Udaipur, making it easily accessible and worth the visit.

OUR JOURNEY TOWADS JAWAI LEOPARD SAFARI

We embarked on our journey from Delhi bright and early in the morning. Ready for the 728-kilometer road trip through the Delhi Mumbai Expressway. Knowing that this drive would span over 11 hours, we strategically planned a stopover to break up the journey. Our chosen stop was the picturesque Taj Gateway Pushkar, conveniently located on the Ajmer bypass. It took us a total of 7 hours from Delhi to reach Pushkar.  Where we immersed ourselves in the rich culture, captivating beauty, and tasty cuisine of Rajasthan.

Let’s Advance Our Journey

After having breakfast at 7:30 a.m., we proceeded on our expedition towards the Jawai Leopard Safari. Our journey led us to the Welcome Heritage Cheetahgarh Resort & Spa, where we arrived around 1:30 p.m., ready to settle into our accommodations. We savoured a delicious lunch of Dal Batti Churma and Lal Maas are quintessential Rajasthan dish.

Throughout our journey, the roads remained in excellent condition, enhancing the thrill of driving and allowing us to enjoy the scenic surroundings at every turn.

Exploring the Rich Legacy of Jawai Leopard Safari

Jawai Bandh, nestled within the Sumerpur Tehsil of Pali district, Rajasthan, stands as a testament to natural beauty. Situated approximately 130 kilometres south of Jodhpur, this quaint village boasts of its Wildlife Sanctuary and Jawai Bandh dam. Where wild leopards roam freely. The visionary Maharaja Umaid Singh of Jodhpur spearheaded the construction of this dam.

Recognizing its ecological significance, the government accorded a special status to an area spanning 19.79 square kilometres near Jawai Bandh as Jawai Leopard Conservation Reserve on February 23, 2010. The captivating sight of leopards gracefully traversing rocky slopes at Jawai Leopard Safari offers visitors a unique wildlife experience, renowned for its beauty.

Nestled in the rugged and picturesque landscapes of Rajasthan, Jawai Leopard Safari captivates wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists alike. Its unique leopard population provides a rare insight into the world of these elusive big cats, coexisting harmoniously with humans.

Witness Cave-Dwelling in Jawai Leopard Safari

In most other leopard reserves across the country, these magnificent creatures tend to seek refuge amidst the trees and bushes. And the Jawai Leopard Safari distinguishes itself as a truly distinctive and exceptional destination . Caves and granite hills dominate the landscape, providing the primary habitat for leopards. These natural formations define the environment, offering shelter and hunting grounds for the majestic predators.

The striking granite hills of the region, and intertwined with vibrant greenery, create an enchanting backdrop where leopards . What sets this place apart is the enduring relationship between the local Rabari tribe and the leopards. Characterized by a remarkable level of mutual respect between animal and human, rarely found elsewhere. This harmonious coexistence has allowed the leopards to adapt seamlessly to their environment, adopting nocturnal hunting habits and utilizing the rocky terrain as natural defence.

For adventure enthusiasts, bird lovers, and wildlife photographers alike, Jawai Leopard Safari Experience becomes an irresistible haven. Its allure lies in the unique experiences it offers, promising excitement and awe-inspiring encounters with nature’s most elusive and majestic creatures.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Jawai Leopard Safari extends your opportunities beyond mere months. Irrespective of the season or climate, encountering these majestic creatures is possible at any time. Additionally, as is the case in other forest reserves it is advisable to visit during winters. During this time, big cats are more inclined to venture into the open. Jawai Leopard Safari provides year-round opportunities.

Here in this unique region, leopards and other wildlife inhabit caves nestled in granite hills. Therefore during summer, these granite hills become quite hot. Hence makes it challenging for leopards to stay inside during the day. However, sightings are still common during this season.

If you’re wondering about the ideal time for a visit to the Jawai Leopard Safari , we highly recommend planning your trip between October and March. Since its being a desert state, Rajasthan experiences scorching heat and high temperatures. But during these months, you can enjoy cooler and pleasant weather without enduring extreme heat.

Thriving Birdwatcher’s Paradise

Bird enthusiasts and landscape lovers will find Jawai Band Dam Area to be a paradise waiting to be explored. The region is home to numerous species of migratory and resident birds, making it an ideal spot for bird watching.

As a part of our Jawai Leopard Safari Experience Jawai Band Dam Area is a paradise waiting to be explored. It has the title of the biggest dam in Western Rajasthan. Aim of building dam was to create a reservoir that could be used for agriculture, drinking and electricity. Surrounded by massive lava rock formations.

Birds we spotted were Black Drango, Pied Kingfisher, Indian Sparrow, Common Kingfisher, Yellow Wagtail, Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egret and also crocodile showed presence .

Transitioning to Sustainable Conservation

Community engagement stands as a pivotal pillar for the success of conservation efforts at Jawai Leopard Safari. By actively involving local tribes and villagers in various conservation initiatives, a profound sense of shared responsibility and ownership towards the region’s wildlife is cultivated.

In the event of leopard predation on cattle, villagers often perceive it as a divine offering to God. Moreover when cattle perish due to natural causes, their carcasses are left in the jungle, serving as offerings for these elusive cats.

In addition initiatives such as eco-tourism and educational outreach not only empower the community but also provide alternative sources of income.

During our afternoon safari we had very different scene . Moreover, I was captivated by the sight of buffaloes grazing peacefully, alongside Rabari tribe member. Next a leopard family lurked nearby. Moreover I was equipped with only a telephoto lens, and couldn’t capture the beauty of this captivating scene.

Leopards completely blend into their surroundings among the hills and camouflaging themselves. As depicted in the accompanying image collage.

Furthermore, the establishment of protected areas within Jawai’s landscape plays a crucial role in preserving vital habitats for leopards and their prey. These designated zones serve as sanctuaries, allowing leopards to thrive without the interference of human activities.

Hidden Gem worth Discovering

Jawai Leopard Safari Experience with combination of diverse wildlife, rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes leaves a lasting impression. As you traverse this remarkable region, you’ll find yourself enchanted by its beauty and rhythm, leaving you with cherished memories to treasure forever. Finally next time you plan your visit to Rajasthan, make sure to include the captivating Jawai Leopard Safari Experience on your itinerary.

Wildlife is something which man cannot construct. Once it is gone, it is gone forever

Joy Adamson