The short answer
Todgarh-Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary: what visitors should know first
Go if you want a quiet, undeveloped forest and are willing to arrange permission and a guide in advance. It is not a ready-made safari park: sightings are never guaranteed, and facilities are basic.
History and context
The story behind Todgarh-Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary
The sanctuary was established in 1983 and covers about 495 sq km across Ajmer, Pali and Rajsamand districts. It takes its name from Todgarh town and Raoli village. The area is also tied to the historian James Tod, who wrote about nearby Dewair as the Marathon of Mewar.
Useful facts
Todgarh-Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary facts at a glance
- Location
- Todgarh, Beawar district; also Pali and Rajsamand
- Experience type
- Forest drive and short walks
- Known for
- Leopard, sloth bear, wolf, Dudhaleshwar shrine
- Area
- About 495 sq km
- Established
- 1983
- Time or schedule
- Daytime hours listed; confirm with forest staff
Why it matters
Why Todgarh-Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary is worth your time
Todgarh-Raoli protects a stretch of the central Aravallis that links the better-known forests of Kumbhalgarh to the south. Its mix of hill forest, grassland and seasonal streams supports leopard, sloth bear, striped hyena and Indian wolf, and about 143 bird species were recorded in a 2013 survey. Long-billed vultures roost on cliffs near Bheelberi.
It is also a living cultural landscape. Dudhaleshwar Mahadev is a place of pilgrimage, and the nearby site of Dewair figures in the history of Mewar. For visitors who prefer quiet to spectacle, it offers an unhurried, undeveloped forest day.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Katar Ghati
The winding 4 km road to Dudhaleshwar gives views over forested hills.
- 02
Wildlife signs
Look for pugmarks, scat and birds. Leopard and sloth bear are present but shy.
- 03
Vultures at Bheelberi
Long-billed vultures roost on cliffs near the waterfall.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Treat the sanctuary as a landscape to explore slowly. Write to or visit the forest department to confirm permission, ask which entry point to use, and request a guide if one is available. Jeep safaris are better developed at Kumbhalgarh, so here you will usually go in a private vehicle with a driver who knows the roads.
The main route follows Katar Ghati, a winding road of about 4 km from Todgarh to the Dudhaleshwar Mahadev shrine, which sits in the middle of the sanctuary beside a perennial spring. From there you can stop at viewpoints, walk short tracks near the shrine, and look for birds. Animals are not used to visitors, so signs such as pugmarks and scat are more likely than sightings. Leopard, sloth bear, hyena, chinkara and Indian wolf are all recorded.
If the rains have been good, continue to Bheelberi Falls, which lies in the Bhagora forest block and is reached by a jeep track of about 4 km. Stay to the track, keep quiet, and leave before dark unless you have booked a rest house inside.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Contact the forest department well ahead for permission
- Hire a driver who knows the Katar Ghati road
- Carry water, snacks and any medicines
- Wear dull colours and sturdy shoes
- Leave the forest before dark unless booked into a rest house
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Todgarh village, Beawar district; spans Ajmer, Pali and Rajsamand districts
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Best time
- November to February; the monsoon for greenery and Bheelberi Falls
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- Roads are winding and tracks are uneven, with almost no benches or toilets inside the forest. A vehicle can cover most of the main sights, so older travellers can manage with a driver and short walks.
- Tickets and access
- Fees, permits and timings are not published reliably. Official listings give daytime hours, but you should notify the forest officers of Rajsamand, Ajmer or Pali in advance and confirm the current rules and any vehicle or guide charges.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Todgarh-Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Roads are winding and tracks are uneven, with almost no benches or toilets inside the forest. A vehicle can cover most of the main sights, so older travellers can manage with a driver and short walks.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is there an entry fee?
Fees are not widely published. Confirm with the forest officers before you go.
Can I stay inside?
Government forest rest houses are reported at Raoli, Dudhaleshwar, Bagdi and Bheelberi, booked via the forest department. Confirm availability and rates.
Will I see a leopard?
Sightings are rare. Animals are not used to visitors, so signs and birds are more likely.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Todgarh-Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary
- Incredible India: Todgarh Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary
- Round Glass Sustain: Kumbhalgarh and Todgarh-Raoli
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
