Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary Voyage Tips and guide

The Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, otherwise known as the Keoladeo Ghana National Park and originally called Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is one of the world's most renowned bird feeding and breeding grounds. The park is over 29 km² and has 364 species of birds, including some threatened migratory birds from central Asia.

It is also a major tourist centre with scores of ornithologists arriving here in the hibernal season. It was declared a protected sanctuary in 1971. It has also been declared as a World Heritage Site.

The sanctuary was created 250 years ago and is named after a Keoladeo (Shiva) temple within its boundaries. It was a natural depression, and was flooded after the Ajan Bund was constructed by Maharaja Suraj Mal, the then ruler of the princely state of Bharatpur, between 1726 and 1763. The bund was created at the confluence of two rivers, the Gambhir and Banganga.

The park was a hunting ground for the maharajas of Bharatpur, a tradition dating back to 1850, and duck shoots were organised yearly in honour of the British viceroys. In one shoot alone in 1938, over 4,273 birds such as mallards and teals were killed by Lord Linlithgow, the then Governor-General of India. After India's independence, the rulers of the princely states were allowed shooting rights until 1972. In 1982, grazing was banned in the park, leading to violent clashes between the local farmer and Gujjar communities and the government.

In 1985, the sanctuary was a declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overall 350 species of birds, mostly aquatic, congregate within the small wetlands within the national park. The sanctuary hosts a small wintering population of the rare Siberian Cranes as well as the threatened greater spotted eagle and imperial eagle. Other species include the ruddy shelducks, gulls, northern shovelers, northern pintails, coots, garganey, tufted ducks and common pochard.

In addition, there many species of deer, jackals and reptiles, in particular pythons, found throughout the sanctuary.

The best time to go to the park is from October to February when there are a lot of migratory birds, otherwise it can be relatively bird free. These are the post-monsoon cooler months when the rains fill the wetlands and turn the sanctuary green, which attracts the migratory birds. The best times for bird spotting is in the early evening or morning.

Including taxes, the entry fee is about ₹90 for locals, ₹30 for local students and ₹570 for foreign tourists. The ticket is for the whole day and single entry only so you cannot enter and stay in the park for a few hours, leave and then return later in the day using the same ticket.

An optional cycle rickshaw driver is ₹100 an hour, and an optional guide is ₹150 an hour. Another way to see the park is to hire a bike (bicycle) at your hotel or at the entrance of the Sanctuary (costs approx ₹40/five hours). Most cycle rickshaw drivers are also trained as bird guides and you may not need to hire another guide if you are taking a cycle rickshaw.

• 27.165177.52511 Keoladeo Shiv Temple. The sanctuary is named after this 300-year-old Shiva temple, which is within the national park. It has a peaceful and serene atmosphere. (updated Dec 2025)

Prices fluctuate through the seasons, and air conditioning generally costs up to ₹50 more.

• Jungle Lodge, ☏ +91 5644225622. ₹150-₹300. 
• Kiran Guest House, ☏ +91 5644223845. Short walk from the park. Single, shared bathroom. ₹80 double, private bathroom ₹150-₹300. 
• Rainbow Lodge, ☏ +91 5644220253. Dm/r ₹100/₹300. 

• The Grand Barso - A Luxury Heritage, N.H. 21, Agra-Jaipur Rd (near Barso village), ☏ +91 94608 02000. Spacious rooms. Has a swimming pool. From ₹4,700. (updated Dec 2025)

Mosquitoes can become common during certain seasons, so it's wise to carry a DEET-based insect repellent with you. Likewise, during the particular months the midday sun can be quite strong. Bring some sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and take other sun-protective measures.