Jawai
Granite hills where wild leopards live side by side with Rabari herders and village temples.
- Famous for
- Leopards on granite rocks, the Jawai dam, Rabari shepherds in red turbans, and winter birdlife.
- Best time
- October to March; winter for migratory birds
- Suggested stay
- 2 days
- Getting there
- Jawai Bandh railway station; Udaipur and Jodhpur airports, both about 2.5–3 hours by road
The story of Jawai
Jawai lies in Pali district between Jodhpur and Udaipur. Its granite hills are full of caves where a healthy population of leopards lives with almost no conflict with the local Rabari herders, who treat them as part of the land.
The Jawai Bandh dam, built in 1957 under Maharaja Umaid Singh of Jodhpur, is one of the largest in western Rajasthan. Its reservoir draws flamingos, bar-headed geese and other migratory birds in winter, along with resident mugger crocodiles.
Interesting things to see and do
Open-jeep drives at dawn and dusk around the granite hills.
Crocodiles, flamingos and winter migrants.
Meet herding families and see their way of life.
Small cave shrines where leopards are sometimes seen.
About an hour away.
Day-by-day plan
A suggested pace. We adjust it to your dates, hotel and travel style.
Arrival & first safari
- Arrive from Jodhpur or Udaipur (about 2.5–3 hours)
- Lunch at camp
- Evening leopard safari among the granite hills
- Bonfire dinner under the stars
Dam, villages & leopards
- Dawn leopard safari
- Birding and crocodiles at Jawai dam
- Rabari village walk
- Optional half-day to Ranakpur
- Evening safari or sundowner on the rocks