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Activities · India

Leopard Safari in Jaipur’s Jhalana Reserve

Look for leopards without leaving Jaipur — a seat in a shared Gypsy, a park-approved naturalist, all permits, and private hotel pickup. From $65. Book today.

  • Duration3 Hours
  • Tour typeSmall-group — shared with other travelers
  • PickupYour hotel, residence, or airport
  • GuideLicensed local guide — 9 languages, no extra cost
  • CancellationFree up to 24 hours before

About this activity

You don’t have to leave Jaipur to go looking for leopards. Jhalana Leopard Reserve lies within the city — roughly 20 square kilometers of rocky ridge and dry forest, with more leopards to the square kilometer than almost anywhere else in India.

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We pick you up at your hotel and drive you to the reserve, where you head out in an open-topped Gypsy jeep alongside a naturalist the park has approved. You go early in the morning or late in the afternoon — the hours when the cats are up and about — and permits, park fees, and the ride back are all taken care of.

Itinerary

  1. Hotel Pickup in Jaipur

    A private car and driver meet you at your Jaipur hotel for the short run out to Jhalana — from most neighborhoods, it’s a 10- to 20-minute drive.

  2. At the Reserve Entrance

    We handle the permit formalities on arrival. Then you climb into a shared, open-topped Gypsy (a 4x4 jeep), joined by a naturalist approved by the park, who briefs you on the leopards living here and the spots they’ve favored over the past few days.

  3. Through the Forest and Ridges

    The Gypsy follows dirt trails over rocky ridgeline and through dry, deciduous woodland. Leopards are the main draw, but Jhalana is also home to striped hyenas, desert foxes, jackals, and nilgai — and more than 100 kinds of birds.

  4. On the Leopards’ Trail

    Your naturalist listens for the warning cries other animals give when a predator is near and checks the dust for fresh paw prints, piecing together where the cats might be. Leopards are seen often here compared with most reserves in India — still, a sighting is never certain.

  5. Drop-off at Your Hotel

    When the drive ends at the reserve entrance, your driver is waiting to bring you straight back to your hotel.

What's included

  • A seat in a shared open-topped Gypsy, guided by a naturalist the park has approved
  • Jhalana entry permit and every park fee
  • Private car to the reserve and back, starting and ending at your Jaipur hotel
  • Bottled water
  • Applicable taxes

What's not included

  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal expenses

Before you go

Important notes for this tour.

  • There are two safaris a day — one early in the morning and one late in the afternoon. The morning slot is cooler, while the afternoon slot often sees more animals on the move.
  • We can’t promise you’ll see a leopard, or any particular animal. The cats are plentiful here and spotted often, but they live wild and roam where they please.
  • Safari permits are made out in each traveler’s name, so everyone should bring valid photo identification. A clear phone photo of the ID also works.
  • You ride in an open vehicle on dusty trails — pack something warm for winter, plus a sun hat and shades for the hotter months.
  • Jhalana closes to visitors on certain public holidays, and when the monsoon brings very heavy rain. We’ll check that your date is open when you book.
  • For your safety, stay inside the Gypsy for the whole safari and do as your naturalist asks.

Questions travelers ask

  1. 01

    Is pickup from my hotel part of the price?

    Yes. A private car picks you up at your hotel in Jaipur, drives you out to the reserve, and brings you back once the safari is over.

  2. 02

    Can you promise we’ll see a leopard?

    We can’t. Few places in India have as many leopards per square kilometer as Jhalana, and they’re seen often — but the cats are wild and go where they choose.

  3. 03

    Do we get our own Gypsy?

    As standard, you share an open Gypsy and its naturalist with other travelers. If you’d like a vehicle just for your group, we can arrange a private Gypsy for an extra charge — ask us for a price.

  4. 04

    Which slot should we choose — early morning or late afternoon?

    You can’t go wrong with either. The morning safari is cooler and calmer, while the afternoon one often catches the leopards as they start moving. Just say which one suits you when you book.

  5. 05

    How much time does the whole thing take?

    Plan on about three hours from pickup to drop-off. Around two of those are spent inside the reserve; the rest covers the drive to and from the entrance and the permit paperwork.

  6. 06

    Is Jhalana open every day?

    Safaris go out daily in two slots, but the reserve shuts on certain public holidays and when the monsoon brings very heavy rain. We’ll confirm your date is open when you book.

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