Leopard Hills · Rajasthan city guide

Jawai, land of the leopards

Granite hills, a great reservoir and Rabari herding villages, where wild leopards live close to people in a way seen almost nowhere else.

Things to do Good to pack Getting there Good to know

Ideal stay2 nights

Best timeOctober – March

Nearest railJawai Bandh

From UdaipurAbout 150 km

About Jawai

Why visit.

Jawai lies in Pali district, between Udaipur and Jodhpur, around the Jawai Dam that Maharaja Umaid Singh of Jodhpur built in the mid-20th century. Rough granite hills rise from farmland, scrub and the shores of the reservoir.

The hills are full of caves, and they are home to one of the densest populations of leopards in India. Leopards here share the land with the Rabari herders, who have lived alongside them for generations, and are often seen resting on the rocks near hilltop temples.

Jawai is not a national park. Safaris are run by the local lodges in open jeeps, at dawn and in the late afternoon, when the leopards are most active.

01 / Things to do

Top things to do in Jawai.

Leopard safariEarly morning and evening drives through the granite hills, looking for leopards on the rocks.
Jawai DamA vast reservoir with mugger crocodiles and, in winter, migratory birds such as cranes and geese.
Rabari villagesMeet the herders in their red turbans and see their way of life, with a local guide.
BirdwatchingWetland and scrub birds around the lake, at their best from November to February.
Sunset in the hillsTea on a granite outcrop as the light fades over the plain.
Ranakpur & KumbhalgarhThe great marble temple and the walled hill fort, both within about 2 hours.

Our tip: Book at least two nights, so you have three or four safaris. Leopards are most active at dawn and dusk.

02 / Good to pack

Ready for the hills.

Lodge diningMost visitors eat at their camp or lodge, often Rajasthani meals under the stars.
Neutral coloursWear khaki, olive and beige clothes on safari.
Warm layersMornings in an open jeep are cold in winter. Bring a jacket, hat and gloves.
Binoculars & zoom lensLeopards are often seen on the rocks at a distance.

03 / Getting there

How to reach Jawai.

By airUdaipur and Jodhpur airports are each about 3 hours away by road.
By railJawai Bandh and Falna stations are on the Ahmedabad–Jodhpur and Delhi lines.
By roadAbout 3 hours from Udaipur or Jodhpur, and an easy stop between them.

04 / Good to know