Lesser Florican & Leopard Number One!
This short tour is intended as a pre tour extension to our Snow Leopard Special in Ladakh, and what better way to prepare for this by seeing a different species of Leopard first?! We will visit Jhalana Safari Park in Jaipur, a small park on the edge of the city which is one of the best places to see… This is a birding-focused tour in India.
About this tour
This short tour is intended as a pre tour extension to our Snow Leopard Special in Ladakh, and what better way to prepare for this by seeing a different species of Leopard first?! We will visit Jhalana Safari Park in Jaipur, a small park on the edge of the city which is one of the best places to see Leopards in the wild.
Before that, we will spend two days targeting some special birds associated with the Indian monsoon. The key bird to search for is the rare endemic Lesser Florican, seldom seen due to its very secretive behaviour. Monsoon is when it does its spectacular jumping display, which we will look for mainly in agricultural fields near Sonkhaliya. In the same area of Rajasthan, the similarly secretive Rain Quails will be calling and obvious, and this is the best time of year also for seeing Rock Bush Quail, Painted Francolin, Singing Bushlark and Bristled Grassbird.
This Bubo Birding itinerary is available through BirdWatch.info as a private or custom departure. Current dates, exact routing, accommodation and final price should be confirmed after inquiry.
Birds you can spot
Itinerary ▼
After your arrival in the morning in Delhi we will drive to our base in Ajmer in Rajasthan, with some exploratory birding en-route.
The arable farmland of Sonkhaliya is the stronghold of the severely declining Lesser Florican. Seldom seen at other times of year because of their secretive nature, from July through to September they perform a remarkable jumping display. Our two full days in the area gives us a very good chance of finding them, as well as other monsoon specialities including Rain Quail, Rock Bush Quail, Painted Francolin, Indian Eagle Owl and Singing Bushlark. Autumn passage migration has started by now also and we may find Rosy Starlings, European Rollers, Sykes’s Warblers and even a Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin.
After some final birding at Sonkhaliya , we will drive to Jaipur, arriving in time for an afternoon jeep safari in Jhalana Safari Park. This small park on the edge of the city is remarkable for its relatively large numbers of Leopards, and with our safari today, and another tomorrow morning, we have a good chance of seeing one.
After another jeep safari at Jhalana we will return to the hotel for a late breakfast, and then have time for a quick look at some of Jaipur’s famous monuments before our drive back to Delhi. We will arrive in the evening where we will spend the night at a comfortable hotel near the airport, before we set off on the main tour to Ladakh tomorrow – hopefully for our second Leopard!
Locations & map
- Western India - Gujarat and Rajasthan India (Conditions vary by season and exact route.)
Included
- Experienced local birding guide support - Exact guide assignment to confirm.
- Tour services described in the confirmed itinerary - Final inclusions are set in the operator quotation.
Not included
- International flights - Not included.
- Visa, travel insurance and personal expenses - Traveller responsibility.
Transport & stays
- Private ground transport and domestic connections Exact vehicle, flight and transfer plan to confirm for the chosen itinerary. | Pickup: Airport or hotel pickup where included in the confirmed plan.
Policies & FAQ
Can this tour be arranged privately?
Yes. Bubo Birding states that its published itineraries can be arranged as private trips, with dates and details tailored to the group.
Are the price and itinerary final?
No. Current availability, group assumptions, accommodation, exact routing and the final quotation should be confirmed after sending an inquiry through BirdWatch.info.