Sariska Tiger Reserve
Aravalli hills, old forts and temples about four hours from Delhi, where tigers were brought back after being lost.
- Established
- 1955 (sanctuary) · 1978 (tiger reserve) · 1982 (national park)
- Area
- About 881 km² core
- District
- Alwar
- Safari gates
- Sariska · Tehla · Tala
- Season
- October to June (core)
- From Delhi / Jaipur
- About 4 hours / 2.5 hours
How the park came to be
Sariska was the hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Alwar. It became a sanctuary in 1955, a tiger reserve in 1978 and a national park in 1982.
By 2005 poaching had wiped out its tigers. In 2008 Sariska became the first reserve in the world to relocate tigers by air, flying them in from Ranthambore. The population has since grown again.
FloraForest & landscape
Dry deciduous Aravalli forest dominated by dhok, with salar, kadaya and bamboo in the valleys, and open grassy plateaus.
FaunaWildlife you can see
- Bengal tiger
- Leopard
- Striped hyena
- Jungle cat
- Caracal
- Golden jackal
- Sambar
- Chital
- Nilgai
- Chausingha
- Rhesus macaque
- Langur
Birds: Over 200 species, including peafowl, grey partridge, golden-backed woodpecker and crested serpent eagle.
Things to do
Morning and evening drives through the core.
17th-century fort where Aurangzeb is said to have imprisoned his brother Dara Shikoh.
Ruined 6th–10th century temples.
Temple linked to the Pandavas, inside the park.
Famous 'haunted' fort about an hour away.
Travel tips
- Great for a weekend from Delhi
- Pair with Bhangarh and Alwar city
- Book jeep safaris rather than canters for a quieter drive