Desert National Park National Park

Address: Desert National Park, near Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Desert National Park is a large protected area in the Thar Desert of western Rajasthan, India, established to conserve desert habitats and species. It covers a substantial area of sand dunes, arid grassland and saline depressions.

The park is important for desert-adapted fauna and birds, and is one of the key protected areas for the Great Indian Bustard and other species adapted to arid environments. Field visits are usually organized from regional towns and require planning because infrastructure inside the park is limited.

The park lies in Jaisalmer district in western Rajasthan and forms part of the wider Thar Desert landscape that stretches across the India-Pakistan border region.

• Wildlife conservation: Important protected area for desert-adapted wildlife including species such as the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard.
• Landscape: Covers a large area of the Thar Desert and includes sand dune seas and saline depressions characteristic of western Rajasthan.

The park is north-west of Jaisalmer and west of Jodhpur. The nearest major town with transport links is Jaisalmer (around 40-80 km depending on the park zone). Visitors typically hire 4x4 vehicles and local guides from Jaisalmer or nearby ranger stations; check local entry points and permissions in advance.

• Plan wildlife drives at dawn or dusk for the best chance to see chinkara, desert foxes and bustards.
• Avoid the park during the peak heat of summer; sandstorms and temperatures over 45°C make travel risky.
• Use local guides for off-road areas; the park is large and navigation can be challenging.