The short answer
Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary: what visitors should know first
A pleasant day out if you like quiet lakes and forest and have a car and driver. It is not a polished park, so facilities and rules are limited, and sightings are modest. Go in the cooler months and check access with the forest office beforehand.
History and context
The story behind Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary
The sanctuary was declared in 1957 on forest that had been the shikargah, or game reserve, of the Maharanas of Mewar. It covers roughly 160 sq km, with some sources giving about 162 sq km.
The lake it surrounds was built by Maharana Jai Singh in the late 17th century, with sources giving 1685 or 1691. It is known both as Jaisamand and as Dhebar Lake.
Useful facts
Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary facts at a glance
- Location
- Around Jaisamand (Dhebar) Lake, about 50 km south of Udaipur
- Experience type
- Lakeside forest and birdwatching day trip
- Known for
- Teak forest, leopards, migratory birds, large historic lake
- Established
- 1957; roughly 160 sq km
- Best season
- October to March
- Access
- Rules and fees not published; confirm with the forest office
Why it matters
Why Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary is worth your time
Jaisamand Lake is among the largest artificial lakes in Asia by common account, created by Maharana Jai Singh of Mewar in the late 17th century. The surrounding forest was the royal game reserve and became a sanctuary in 1957.
For a visitor to Udaipur, it offers a very different day from palaces and bazaars: open water, hills, migratory birds in winter and the possibility of leopards on the slopes, at a pace far slower than the city.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
A large historic lake
Jaisamand Lake was built in the late 17th century and gives the sanctuary its character and its birds.
- 02
Teak and Aravalli forest
The hills around the lake are covered in dry deciduous and teak forest, quiet in the cooler months.
- 03
Leopard country
Leopards are the top carnivore, but they are elusive; birds and deer are likelier sights.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Drive south from Udaipur for about 50 km towards Jaisamand Lake, also known as Dhebar Lake. The lake and its dam are the focal point and the easiest places to stop and look at the water, birds and surrounding hills.
The sanctuary covers roughly 160 sq km of mostly teak and dry deciduous forest in the Aravalli foothills. Leopard is the top predator, with striped hyena, jungle cat, wild boar, deer and four-horned antelope also recorded. Many of these are secretive, and most visitors come away with birds and views rather than big mammals.
Ask the forest office about access first, then keep to open roads and viewpoints, take your own water and food, and plan to head back before dusk.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Hire a driver; public transport is limited
- Check access and rules with the forest office beforehand
- Carry water, snacks and binoculars; facilities are few
- Return before dusk and keep to roads and viewpoints
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Around Jaisamand (Dhebar) Lake, roughly 50 km south of Udaipur
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Best time
- October to March; early morning for birds and cooler air
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Most of the experience is by road and from the lake shore, so little walking is needed. Facilities are limited, shade is patchy, and distances from Udaipur are best done by car.
- Tickets and access
- Entry arrangements, fees and permitted routes are not published in detail. Ask the Rajasthan Forest Department's Udaipur office before you go, and stay on permitted tracks and roads.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Most of the experience is by road and from the lake shore, so little walking is needed. Facilities are limited, shade is patchy, and distances from Udaipur are best done by car.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How far is Jaisamand from Udaipur?
About 50 km to the south, roughly an hour or a little more by road.
Is Jaisamand the same as Dhebar Lake?
Yes. The lake is known by both names, and the sanctuary surrounds it.
Will I see a leopard?
Leopards are recorded but rarely seen. Plan around the lake, the forest and the birds.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
