Sawai Madhopur, National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary, is a fantastic place to visit while exploring Ranthambore. Ranthambore’s Chambal River Safari is a date with nature. Aside from Jungle Safari in Ranthambore, among the finest excursions is the boat Safari or Chambal River excursion at National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary. For spotting crocodiles, gharials, and an amazing variety of birdlife, the Chambal River is a great location in Palighat Ranthambore, where you may have an enjoyable time on a boat ride with the thrill of seeing the crocodiles and gharials up close.
Palighat Village of Sawai Madhopur is home to the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary, which is close to the Ranthambhore on the banks of the Chambal River. Located some 45 kilometers from Ranthambore and roughly an hour’s drive away, is India’s most gorgeous river, the Chambal.
On December 7, 1979, the government formally designated the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary to safeguard the rare freshwater Chambal River gharials and crocodile species in Rajasthan. Gharials are even rarer than tigers in the forest.
Established as a river sanctuary covering almost 425 km, the National Chambal Sanctuary area’s length was set. The Chambal River sanctuary’s two sides span roughly 2–6 km. The Chambal River forms a main state border close to Ranthambore, till Bhind, with Madhya Pradesh on one side and Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh on the other side, covering three states: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Starting from Kota Barrage in Rajasthan, this riverine Sanctuary goes through Sawai Madhopur as the Chambal River flows through the north and south of Rajasthan. The following section of the Chambal River refuge includes Dholpur of Rajasthan and Morena of Madhya Pradesh. Rajasthan’s Total Sanctuary area is around 285 square kilometres.
Ranthambore National Chambal Sanctuary
The gharial and the crocodile are the main draws of the National Chambal Sanctuary. The Chambal River is a great place to explore amphibians and aquatic life in their natural habitat if you love wildlife and are on a Ranthambore tour. The Chambal River is a habitat for the endangered gharial, a kind of crocodile, as well as the National Aquatic Animal Gangetic Dolphin.
For inquisitive bird aficionados, Pali Ghat Chambal River is a heaven. At present Ranthambore’s Chambal River Sanctuary has more than 316 kinds of resident and migratory birds. Chambal River, Ranthambore, Indian skimmers, ruddy shelducks, bar-headed geese, Indian courser, black-bellied terns, black-necked stork, Red-crested pochard, common crane, Ferruginous duck, Sarus crane, bar-headed goose, northern pintail, and common teal are among the bird species found here. Big nested groups of Indian Skimmers, Great stone-curlew, and Lapwing may be found on this site as well. Indian Skimmer breeds at Chambal River Sanctuary. Also found here are the pallid harrier and the smaller flamingo.
Apart from rich avian, Chambal Safari offers other amphibians and aquatic creatures. These include Smooth-coated otter, Gangetic Dolphins, Gharial, Marsh Crocodiles, eight turtle species, and 30 fish species. Among terrestrial mammals are Wild Boar, Blue Bull, Porcupine, Jungle Cat, Indian hare, Indian fox, hyenas and Golden Jackal. From nearby regions, the Indian wolf has been noted.
Among the vegetation seen close to the Chambal river are Palash (flame of the forest, Butea monosperma), khair (Acacia catechu), ber (Indian plum, Ziziphus mauritiana), churel (Indian elm tree, Holoptelia integrifolia), and babul (Egyptian acacia or thorny acacia). The grass patches on both sides of the Chambal River are complemented by the mostly small and prickly flora found around it.
November through March are the ideal months for the Chambal River Safari National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary.
The Chambal River Safari in the Pilighat is the perfect alternative if you are in Ranthambore seeking a unique and memorable experience with the jungle safari. Remember to bring your cameras and binoculars during the Chambal River Safari since they enable you to unravel the enigma of the Pali Ghat. Also, you get to see a beautiful confluence also known as the sangam of rivers Chambal, Parwati at Pali Ghat.