Things To Do In National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary
Planning A Trip To National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary? Here's our list of top things to do in National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary
National Chambal Sanctuary is a famous wildlife park that has some of the world’s rarest creatures and birds; apart from that it also has a variety of insects, plants and flowers. The main attraction of this sanctuary is the gangetic dolphin that is rarely seen, only during certain seasons even at this sanctuary. If you are a wildlife enthusiast you will find so many different things to do in National Chambal Sanctuary, which will keep you occupied throughout the trip. The fun of visiting a sanctuary is the rawness of the whole thing, where you live in the sanctuary itself and experience life in the deep jungles and at the same time get to see some of the rarest species of animals in their natural habitat. Below is a list of things to do while you are at the sanctuary, read on to know more.
Go Bird Watching
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The National Chambal Sanctuary is located on the banks of River Yamuna and this is a great place for migratory birds as well as local ones to breed; the wetlands of the sanctuary make a great place for these birds to come settle for a while. Having said that, the sanctuary is a haven for bird lovers and bird watchers. Don’t forget to grab your binoculars so that you can observe these beautiful birds properly in their natural habitat. You can see 262 different species out there, some of them include web footed wading birds, With down- bent bills, Pochards, Eagles, Flamingos, Pallid Harrier and many more different kinds.
Enjoy a Camel Safari
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The ravines of Chambal have many secrets within that are not explored by many; camel rides into those ravines are a perfect way to unfold these secrets. The camel will carry you on its back into those forgotten trails that leads into Ater in Rajasthan. The camel takes you into the ravines, where you are able to see some of the most ancient forts and palaces and neighbouring villages. The camel even takes you past the river where you can see the Gharials roaming about freely. If you are interested in the surrounding places of the sanctuary as well, this is a one of the best things to do.
Go on a Deep Jeep Safari
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If camel rides aren’t for you and you'd rather go on a safari on wheels, then hop on a jeep and go on a jeep safari in National Chambal Sanctuary. On one end of the Chambal River you will find aquatic animals, reptiles and birds on the Chambal River and on the other side you will find different species of mammals roaming the thick forests of Chambal. A good way to see these animals and be safe at the same time is to go on a jeep safari. The sanctuary will provide you and your family with a jeep and a forest guide who will drive you around and show you inside the sanctuary premises at a minimal cost. This is the best way to tour around the sanctuary when you are with your family, especially children.
Watch Aquatic Animals on a Boat Safari
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You can go on boat safari on Chambal River, which is one of the most pristine rivers in India. Around 400 km of the Chambal River is within the area of the sanctuary and you can tour around on this river via a boat. You can find boat safaris with a person who will ride the boat and also guide you around the river, showing you the different species that are present in the water and on the banks as well. This is one of the most unpolluted rivers in India and is home to rare species like the Gangetic Dolphin, Mugger crocodiles, birds that have migrated from Siberia and other diverse range of flora and fauna.
Explore more on a Village Safari
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Once you are done going on a boat and jeep safari, you can say that you have seen most of the species on that piece of land as well as water; now it’s time you explore the area around this sanctuary and experience and feel the villages that are present in and around this sanctuary. The village safari will provide you with an insight into the lives of the people living in those rural villages. Take a stroll through those villages to see the lifestyle of the villagers; you can watch them do pottery, make handicrafts, make different cloths and after you are done, you can stop by at the small stores in the villages that sell sweets, jiggery, locally made handicrafts etc.
Get Adventurous with River Rafting
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Looking to do something adventurous? Well, now you can be adventurous as well as observe and study more about the species in the Chambal River. Hire a river rafting boat on the river and pass through some of the most picturesque points in the sanctuary. Trained guides will take you on the raft and give you a tour of the ravines and the beautiful creatures that you will be able to see throughout the ride. There are a lot of rapids on the Chambal River that make this rafting journey even more fun! Make sure you don’t carry any of your priced belongings to the river as they may get lost if there are heavy rapids.
Rejuvinate at the Damoh Waterfall
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One of the major attractions when you visit National Chambal Sanctuary is the Damoh waterfall in Sarmathura. The streams of water in these falls remain dry throughout the year and the best time to visit these falls is during monsoons when you can actually enjoy the place fully. This is a great place to go with your friends and family and you are also able to notice a wide variety of flora as well as aquatic creatures. Head over to Damoh Waterfall to enjoy a fun filled afternoon under gushing water and cold streams.
Take a Photography Tour
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National Chambal Sanctuary is a haven for wildlife photographers. This is a great place to snap some classy photos of some of the rarest species of birds and animals. There are a few photography tours that are organized by the sanctuary which you can take part in whether you are an amateur or a professional. The guides will instruct and teach you some techniques as to how to photograph these magnificent creatures. This is a good activity to indulge in if you are interested in photography and want to show off later on back home. Catch some of the rarest animals on camera like mugger crocodiles, ghariyals, gangetic dolphins and many more.
Enjoy a Night out Camping
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Want to experience the raw side of National Wildlife Sanctuary? Don’t stay at your hotel for a night and hire a tent that you can camp in. This is the best thing to do if you want to enjoy the pristine beauty of the sanctuary. You can choose to camp out near the villages inside the ravines of Chambal or you can choose to camp next to the many residential lodges. So don’t forget your torch light and marshmallows for your bonfire as you will beneeding them on your camping trip outside. In the night if you peep out of the tent, you may be able to see different animals roaming round at night, dribking water from the river and other such things that is an experience to keep.
Attend the Bateshwar Cattle Fair
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If you want to catch an authentic glimpse of Indian village life, attend the Bateshwar Cattle Fair in Bateshwar that is located at a distance of 50 km from National Chambal Sanctuary. The fair is held in the month of November and the best days to visit are from the 7th to the 14th of November. You can see large numbers of horses, cows, goats, bulls and a variety of cattle at this fair and also several tradesmen selling their cattle, buying some, selling locally made handicrafts, furniture, cosmetics etc. This is one of the biggest fairs in North India and usually begins a few days before the festival of Diwali; make sure you visit this place.