Keoladeo National Park, Jaipur

	Keoladeo National Park, Jaipur
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You also stand a good chance of glimpsing wild boar, mongoose, chital, nilgai and sambar along the paths, and spotting elusive jungle cats, hyenas, jackals, otters and Indian black buck. Languorous rock pythons sun themselves at Python Point, just past Keoladeo temple, and in the dry bush land off the main road close to the entrance barrier. Believe it or not, you might also catch a glimpse of a tiger if you venture into the more remote grassland areas of the park.

In August 2000, villagers spotted a large, three- to four-year-old female who'd wandered into Keoladeo from the Sawai Madhopur/Ranthmabore region. The sighting was confirmed soon after, but at the time of writing the park authorities were in a quandary over what to do about their exotic new resident, whose presence in the Colar Dehar zone makes this key site for ornithologists unsafe to explore on foot or by bike.

Keoladeo is at its most picturesque at dawn and dusk, and fullest between October and March. In summer you miss the migratory flocks, but should catch some busy nesting activity.

A single metal led road passes through the sanctuary; numerous small paths lined with babul trees cut across lakes and marshes and provide excellent cover for bird-watching.

The free map handed out at the park entrance is useful for finding your way around. If you need help identifying the birds, or finding vantage points, you can hire a guide at the gate (Rs35/hr for up to 5 people, who will probably have binoculars.

The best way to get around is by bike, which are also available at the sanctuary gate, or by cycle rickshaw (Rs30/hr) - drivers are very clued up and know the main nesting areas. Tongas (Rs50/hr) carry up to six people. During the winter, gondola-style boats provide a superb opportunity to get really close to the birds in the heart of the wetland. Back