Keoladeo National Park Agra (Timings, History, Entry Fee, Images, Best time to Visit & Information)

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Keoladeo National Park (or Keoladeo Ghana National Park) is a breathtaking wilderness in the heart of India. It was earlier known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, and it’s an enchanting, lush green paradise near Agra.

This UNESCO Heritage and Ramsar Site offers a rich biodiversity with snakes, mammals and hundreds of bird species. It has around 370 bird species recorded.

Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary/National Park is a mosaic of dry grasslands, woodlands and wetlands. And what was once a waterfowl hunting ground is now an abode for birds and other wildlife. It’s considered among the richest bird areas in the world.

This bird park houses resident birds as well as visiting migratory birds from Siberia, China and other places. The fresh air, laden with the melodies of birds, invites scores of tourists to explore this fascinating ecosystem. It’s a paradise for bird watchers.

Keoladeo National Park’s vibrant landscapes and dynamic wildlife also attract nature lovers and photography enthusiasts. The guides are well-versed in identifying various colourful birds.

You can explore Keoladeo on a bicycle, enjoy a rickshaw ride, or hop on a golf cart safari. You can also meander through the marked trails on foot.

Where is Keoladeo National Park?

Keoladeo National Park is a famous avifauna sanctuary in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, 55 km away from Agra. It’s popular for bird-watching as it hosts thousands of birds, especially during winter. Bharatpur Keoladeo National Park also offers trekking and boating facilities.

History of Keoladeo National Park

Keoladeo National Park is an artificial wetland built for wildfowl hunting over 250 years ago. Maharajas of Bharatpur used it as a personal hunting ground. They also organised shoots for the British viceroys.

In 1971, hunting was banned, and the area was declared a protected sanctuary. Then, it was made a bird sanctuary in 1976, and a few years later, in 1982, the sanctuary was established as a national park.

And in 1981, Keoladeo Ghana National Park Bharatpur was listed under Ramsar sites. Later, in 1985, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Things to do at Bharatpur Keoladeo National Park

1. Watching all colours of birds – Keoladeo National Park Bharatpur is a paradise for bird lovers. It has around 370 species of birds, and it hosts several migratory birds from different regions. Among the most common birds here are cotton teal, Indian shag and painted stork. White spoonbill, sandpiper and flamingo are among the several other birds you can see here. And during the winter season, you’ll find several thousand foreign birds making Bharatpur Sanctuary their home.

2. Trekking on the jungle tracks – The park features a network of well-marked trails for you to explore its wilderness. You can explore the trails either on foot or a rented bicycle. It allows for a closer encounter with the wildlife species in this national park. Langur, nilgai and chital deer are common animals you’ll find here. The forested area also has blackbuck, wild boar and jungle cats.

3. Going on a deep jungle safari – Safaris are a convenient way to discover the vegetation and wildlife in the Keoladeo National Park area. Rickshaw rides are the prime mode of safari in the sanctuary. It’s the best option to go around bird-watching. The rickshaw pullers take you right through the heart of the forests. And they know a good deal about the birds. Golf cart rides and horse carriage rides are also available.

4. Enjoying a calming boat ride – You can also take a boat ride in Keoladeo National Park Lake. The boat ride, whether early in the morning or in the late evening, offers an unforgettable experience. You discover several more species of diverse flora and fauna and come close to the water birds and fishes of this wildlife sanctuary.

5. Clicking mesmerising photographs – Keoladeo National Park also offers opportunities to capture a diverse variety of wildlife. Apart from clicking photographs of the animals and birds in Keoladeo National Park, you can capture its vibrant landscapes. And if you’ve time, you can also capture photos of the gorgeous sunrise and sunset. Ask your guide for the best vantage point, and they’ll surely help you.

6. Visiting Keoladeo Shiva Temple – The temple is in the middle of the national park, and it’s easily accessible during your excursion. It’s a small but beautiful temple dedicated to Keola Dev (Lord Shiva), after whom the national park is named.

7. Checking out Salim Ali visitor centre – Another attraction of Keoladeo National Park is the Salim Ali visitor centre. It’s like a museum, and its goal is to provide visitors with a deep understanding of the national park. The centre offers comprehensive information about the park’s ecology and the migratory patterns of birds.

Keoladeo National Park Timings and Entry Fees

The usual Keoladeo National Park opening time is from 6 AM to 6 PM. It’s open every day, throughout the year. A slight variation in time due to seasonal changes might be possible.

Keoladeo National Park entry fee is ₹111 per person. And the Keoladeo rickshaw safari (for two people) costs ₹600 for 3 hours. Bicycles are also available at hourly rent. And you can rent binoculars, too, for better bird spotting.

Best time to visit Keoladeo National Park

Winter (November to February) is the best season to visit Keoladeo National Park. Migratory birds flock to the lake during those days, mostly in December and January. The weather is the most suitable for exploring this time. Dawn and dusk are the best time to go on a safari.

You can visit the national park in September and October, too, just after the monsoon. The lake is full during this time, and you’ll find many aquatic birds.

Time to explore Bharatpur Keoladeo National Park

It takes around 3-4 hours to explore Keoladeo Ghana National Park on a rickshaw. But it’s best if you have a day to spare. The light mist and the chirping of birds make for a wonderful stay. You can arrive in the afternoon, stay the night and enjoy an early morning safari.

Things to keep in mind when visiting Keoladeo National Park

• Reach early to wrap up entry formalities.
• Carry a bottle of water during safari.
• Wear comfortable shoes for treks.
• Take your hat and sunglasses.
• Keep binoculars handy.

How to reach Keoladeo National Park from Agra?

Keoladeo National Park is situated in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, 55 km away from Agra. The town has a bus stand and a railway station. The bus stand is 2 km away from the national park, and the Bharatpur station to Keoladeo National Park distance is 5 km. The nearest airport is in Agra, 53 km away. And the nearest international airport is in Delhi (197 km away).

And here are the different ways to reach Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan –

By train – You can take a train from Agra to Bharatpur. Then, from the railway station, you can get auto/cycle rickshaws to the national park.

By bus – Regular buses also run between Agra and Bharatpur. And auto/cycle rickshaws are available from the Bharatpur bus stand to the national park.

By cab/taxi – You can also hire a private cab or taxi directly from Agra to Keoladeo National Park. Full-day or multi-day cabs from the top car rental companies in Agra are available easily. So, you can explore the national park and other tourist places nearby comfortably.

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Location Map for Keoladeo National Park Agra