Formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, the Keoladeo National Park situated 185 Km. from Jaipur and 58 Km. from Agra is recognised as one of the world’s most important bird breeding and feeding grounds. Every year, thousands of migratory birds such as green sandpiper, cranes, etc. visit the park during winter. It was originally a royal hunting reserve and was a game reserve for Maharajas and the British. In 1982, Keoladeo was declared a national park and then later listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.
The park is home to over 370 species of birds including herons, storks, cormorants, warblers, sauras crane, babblers, bee eaters, bulbuls, buntings, Painted francolins, quails, Indian grey hornbill, Marshall's iora, osprey, peregrine, Imperial eagle, spotted eagle and crested serpent eagle, etc. Wildlife in the sanctuary include, Nilgai, Chital , Sambar, Indian Porcupine, Indian Gray Mangoose, Jungle Cat, fishing Cat, civet, Jackals and striped hyenas. It was also known as the breeding ground for the rare and elusive to spot Siberian crane.
Keoladeo National Park offers well-defined treks which can be covered on either foot, or cycle or rickshaws. In fact, the park management has trained the rickshaw pullers in bird watching and they make for extremely knowledgeable guides.
October – February is the best time to visit the Sanctuary.