Bird Sanctuary: A Day at Keoladeo National Park

Our journey to India has been sprinkled with numerous memorable visits, yet our recent trip in December 2023 still provided us with surprises.

It was Christmas Eve Day, 24th Dec 2023 when we found ourselves at the Keoladeo National Park, formerly known as Bharatpur Bird Park.

We were on our way to Ranthambore to spend Christmas Day on an exciting safari in search of Bengal tigers (you can read about our tiger adventure here), when what seemed like an ordinary visit to a bird park turned into an unexpected delight, something wonderful and surprising.

Location: National Highway 21, Bharatpur, Rajasthan 321001, India

Keoladeo National Park: Tourist Information

What’s particularly impressive is that the park management has trained auto drivers to double as expert birding guides. So we were treated to probably the most scenic auto ride plus the company of an expert guide who spotted a myriad of wildlife and was able to tell us the names of all the birds and interesting details such as feeding, migratory habits etc.

We were completely absorbed! Our attention was fixed as we watched and listened intently, mostly with gasps and mouths agape… and camera ready.

This blog post has basically become a treasure trove of photos because everywhere you turned, there were captivating birds striking poses, birds tending to their young, and we even had the delight of spotting a pair of adorable owls… stunning! Not to mention, we also caught glimpses of bats, deer, and more…

Firstly, let me tell you about our arrival.

So before our visit to the sanctuary and after a while of searching, we finally found somewhere for lunch. It took some time because it was Sunday and many places were closed. Luckily, with the help of some locals, our driver found a good cafeteria. But there was a twist – to reach it, he had to make a U-turn on a busy road called National Highway 21. This road has a long barrier in the middle, about 100 kilometers long according to our driver.

You can probably guess how we felt when instead of going the full 100 kilometers to make a safe U-turn, our driver decided to drive in the opposite direction, right into the traffic! He assured us, “Don’t worry. I’m an Indian driver. I’m used to this!”

Despite our nerves, we eventually made it to the cafeteria safely, had a hearty lunch of fresh puris and dhal and then we were delivered to the bird park. Whew!

Keoladeo National Park has gained global recognition as a hotspot for bird breeding and feeding. Its history dates back to the 1850s when it was a favourite hunting ground for Maharajas and British elites seeking leisurely pursuits. An interesting fact: Lord Linlithgow, Viceroy of India from 1936 to 1943, once led a legendary duck hunting expedition here, bagging thousands of birds in a single day!?!!

In 1982, the park earned the title of a national park, followed by UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1985. It is home to a diverse array of wildlife. Keoladeo boasts over 370 bird species, alongside creatures like basking pythons, painted storks, deer, and nilgai. The park owes much of its establishment to the efforts of renowned ornithologist Salim Ali, and it’s also known for being a key breeding ground for the elusive Siberian crane.

Exploring Keoladeo is a treat for nature lovers, with well-marked trails accessible by foot, bicycle, or auto rickshaw.

All too soon it was time to leave and our wonderful driver was waiting for us at the gate to take us, luggage and all to the Bharatpur railway station to catch the train to Ranthambore.

Here we found ourselves waiting at the railway station for the train to take us to Ranthambore. Yes, the trains whizzing past were noisy, but somehow, they added to the charm, and then our train arrived and whisked us off into the late afternoon and on into the night… delivering us ready for our safari on Christmas Day.

If you ever find yourself in Bharatpur, remember to savour these moments—the rural setting, the noisy trains, and the anticipation of new adventures.

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Thanks for joining us on the road through India – more adventures coming soon ♡ Janet