Wildlife Parks in Jaisalmer

Deserts too have the capacity to support different and unique wildlife species and the delicate ecosystem of the Thar Desert just proves it right. In the midst of the Thar, which is a vast ocean of sands, lies the well-known Desert National Park, a perfect example of the Thar Desert’s ecosystem as well as its assorted wildlife. Meanwhile, another famous park, the Akal Wood Fossil Park is home to the rarest kinds of fossils. These two very famous wildlife reserves of Jaisalmer have their own unique charm and will leave tourists mesmerized in various ways.

These two reserves of Jaisalmer open up to its visitors a whole new world that is filled with diverse wildlife amidst scrub forests. Tourists will be left enthralled with the picturesque view of these two places, with a completely new idea of desert wildlife.

The Desert National Park

The Desert National Park is 45 kilometers west of the Jaisalmer city and situated very close to the India-Pakistan border. Enclosing an area of more than 3150 square kilometers, it is one of the largest national parks in India. Sand dunes cover almost 20% of the park’s total area. The Desert National Park’s landscape is mostly dominated by rocky terrain and fixed sand dunes that support wildlife like black bucks and chinkara. The Desert National Park sanctuary has three main lakes, Padam Talao Lake, Milak Talao Lake and Rajbaugh Lake that serve as water holes for the park’s inhabitants.


There is also a forest post in the park – Sudashri, the best place for tourists to take snapshots. The diverse flora and fauna of the park can also be viewed from this place. Near the Sudarshi water hole, bustards can be seen flocking together.

Majority of the park’s vegetation lies on the edges primarily as it is a desert area. The Desert National Park is home to trees including Ronj, Dhok, Salai and Palm. The flora is diverse with the terrain mostly having high sand dunes, craggy rocks and compact salt lakes.

The park is a paradise for bird-watchers. The Great Indian Bustard is the key attraction of the sanctuary and is one of the heaviest birds that can fly. In addition to this endangered species, the Desert National Park also gives shelter to falcons, eagles, spotted eagles, tawny, kites, vultures, grouse, kestrels, bee-eaters, green bee-eaters drongos, Indian rollers and bush quail.

The Park Trip

The park can be toured on a jeep safari, while the option of camping is also available for one’s who want to experience wildlife more vividly. However, security has been increased owing the park’s proximity to the Pakistan border, and foreign tourists have to take prior permissions from administrative authorities before entering the park.

Entry Requirements
Entry Fee: All visitors have to pay Rs.100 per head.
Jeep/Car Fee: Rs 100
Coach Fee: Rs 200

How to Reach

The Desert National Park is on the Bikaner- Jodhpur- Jaisalmer circuit, with Jiasalmer being in the nearest vicinity. One can reach Jiasalmer by air, train or road and then take a taxi/cab to the park.

Best Time to Visit

The Desert National Park is open from October to April and remains closed for the remaining part of the year.

Know more about the Desert National Park in Jaisalmer

Akal Wood Fossil Park

The Akal Wood Fossil Park are fossilized remains of forests as old as 180 million years located in Akal, 18 kilometers southeast of Jaisalmer on National Highway- 15. The park spreads over an area of 21 hectares and is one of the natural wonders in India.


The park is preserved and protected primarily owing to its archaeological value, while more fossils are believed to be lying deep down with excavation undergoing in the region. Huge fossilized tree trunks and sea shells that are centuries old are major specimens of Indian desert’s geological history. The biggest fossil specimen obtained in the region is 7 meters by 1.5 meters in size.

There are also 25 petrified trunks that mark the life of luxuriant forests that existed in a warm and humid climate, bordering the sea millions of years back. Apart from these, there are approximately a dozen fossil wood logs that lie horizontally in a random manner. The fossils are of equisetitis, ptyllophyllum and petrophyllum species as well as of dicotyledonous wood and gastropod shells of the lower Jurassic era. The Akal Wood Fossil Park is a complete paradise for archaeological and geological enthusiasts.

Entry Fee:

Indians: Rs.5 per person
Foreign nationals: Rs.20 per person
Car parking: Rs.10

Duration of visit:

1 to 2 hours.