Lal Suhanra National Park National Park

Address: Lal Suhanra National Park, near Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan

Lal Suhanra National Park is a large protected area in southern Punjab, Pakistan, combining desert, thorn forest and wetland habitats. It is recognized for conserving a range of arid-zone and wetland species and for landscape-level conservation.

The park provides safari-style wildlife viewing, nature trails and habitats for species adapted to both dry and wet conditions; visitors use designated tracks and seasonal routes for wildlife observation. Facilities include visitor access points managed by the park authorities.

The area was set aside for protection in the 20th century and later managed as a national park and conservation reserve; it was also designated as a biosphere reserve to promote conservation alongside sustainable use. Management has focused on habitat protection and controlled tourism.

The park is located in the Bahawalpur district of Punjab, Pakistan, on the dry plains of southern Punjab and accessible from the nearby city of Bahawalpur.

• Biosphere reserve status: Designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in the 1970s, it preserves a mix of desert, scrub forest and wetlands in southern Punjab.

Lal Suhanra National Park is in Bahawalpur district, Punjab; the park is reachable by road from the city of Bahawalpur. By car it is on the order of a few dozen kilometres from central Bahawalpur (commonly a 45-60 minute drive depending on route and traffic) - visitors typically drive or hire a taxi from Bahawalpur along the main highways and then on park access roads. Public transport directly into the park is limited, so arrange onward transport or a guided visit from Bahawalpur.

• Plan your visit in the cooler months (roughly November-March) when temperatures are much milder and wildlife viewing is more comfortable than in the intense summer heat.
• Use Bahawalpur as your base and contact the park office in advance to confirm access times, park rules and guided‑safari options - guided drives increase the chance of spotting larger mammals and reduce the risk of getting lost in remote areas.
• Schedule safaris for early morning or late afternoon to coincide with higher animal activity and to avoid the hottest parts of the day; mid‑day in the park can be stifling and less productive for viewing.