Phulwari ki Nal is a forest wildlife sanctuary in the southern Aravalli Hills of Udaipur district, Rajasthan, close to the Gujarat border. It is a quiet, hilly sanctuary of dry deciduous forest and seasonal streams, set in a tribal belt where the Kotra and Jhadol tehsils meet, and it rewards travellers who prefer slow forest days over marquee attractions.
Phulwari ki Nal Wildlife Sanctuary sits about 90 km from Udaipur city in Rajasthan’s Kotra and Jhadol tehsils, and it protects 511.41 sq km of Aravalli forest declared in 1983. Expect sloth bears, four-horned antelope and over 200 bird species rather than big tiger-reserve crowds.
Key takeaways
- Phulwari ki Nal Wildlife Sanctuary covers 511.41 sq km in Udaipur district, Rajasthan, and was declared a sanctuary on 6 October 1983, according to the Rajasthan Forest Department record cited by Wikipedia.
- Best visited from October to February, when the southern Aravalli air is cool and tracks are dry; the monsoon makes the hill roads slippery.
- The nearest city and airport are Udaipur (Maharana Pratap Airport); the sanctuary lies roughly 90 km by road, about 2.5 to 3 hours away.
- A 2022 Forest Department census counted about 40 bears here, and the department has begun a bear conservation and eco-tourism project with water holes and watch towers.
- This is a tribal landscape: Kotra tehsil is 95.82% Scheduled Tribe (2011 Census), so treat villages with respect and arrange visits through forest staff or local guides.
- An Eco-Sensitive Zone of 202.34 sq km was notified around the sanctuary in June 2024, restricting commercial construction near its boundary.
About Phulwari ki Nal
Phulwari ki Nal Wildlife Sanctuary is a 511.41 sq km protected forest in Udaipur district, Rajasthan, spread across the Kotra and Jhadol tehsils in the southern Aravalli Hills. According to the record cited on Wikipedia, Rajasthan declared it a sanctuary on 6 October 1983, and it is managed by the Rajasthan Forest Department as an IUCN category IV area.
Do not confuse it with Phulwari Sharif near Patna in Bihar, which is an unrelated town. The name here refers to the forested valleys, or “nals”, of this Aravalli tract. The administrative headquarters are at Kotra, and the terrain runs between roughly 600 and 900 metres above sea level in a semi-arid climate with about 730 mm of annual rainfall, per the same record.
The sanctuary is watered by the Wakal river system. The Wakal rises in the south-western spurs of the Aravalli range in Udaipur district and, with its tributaries the Mansi and Parvi, flows south before joining the Sabarmati in Gujarat, according to Wikipedia’s river record (citing Jain et al., 2007). These source streams and seasonal watercourses give the forest its character.
This is also a living tribal landscape. The surrounding Kotra tehsil recorded a Scheduled Tribe population of 95.82% in the 2011 Census and falls entirely within the Tribal Sub-Plan and the constitutional scheduled areas, per the District Census Handbook figures summarised on Wikipedia. Wikipedia records 134 villages within the sanctuary itself.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Phulwari ki Nal is October to February, when the air is cool and dry and the hill tracks are firm. Summers turn hot in this part of Rajasthan, and the monsoon leaves the forest roads slippery and streams in spate, so most sources advise against a monsoon trip.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | October–February | Cool, dry, comfortable days; best for forest drives and birding. |
| Summer | March–June | Hot and dry; wildlife gathers near water, but midday heat is tiring. |
| Monsoon | July–September | Green but wet; slippery hill roads and swollen streams; plan with care. |
How to reach Phulwari ki Nal
The practical way to reach Phulwari ki Nal is by road from Udaipur, roughly 90 km and about 2.5 to 3 hours away, depending on which part of the sanctuary you head for. Recent Udaipur press reports describe the sanctuary as about 90 km from the city; distances vary because the forest spreads across a large area and several entry points.
By air, the nearest airport is Maharana Pratap Airport (Dabok) at Udaipur, which has scheduled domestic flights. By rail, Udaipur City is the nearest major railway station. From Udaipur you will need a taxi or self-driven car, as public transport into the interior villages is limited. The forest headquarters and a rest house are at Kotra.
| From | Approx. distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Udaipur city | ~90 km | Nearest airport and major railhead; hire a taxi here. |
| Kotra (HQ village) | ~120 km by road from Udaipur | Forest headquarters; about 57 km from Udaipur in a straight line, per Wikipedia. |
| Ahmedabad (Gujarat) | ~140 km | Alternative city approach from the south, via Gujarat. |
Wildlife and what to see
Phulwari ki Nal is best known for sloth bears, four-horned antelope and a rich bird list rather than for big cats on open grassland. A 2022 Forest Department census counted about 40 bears in the sanctuary, as reported by Udaipur Times, and the department has begun a bear conservation and eco-tourism project with food plantations, water holes and watch towers.
The forest is tropical dry deciduous with bamboo. The Key Biodiversity Areas factsheet lists leopard, sloth bear, golden jackal, striped hyena, Indian fox, wild boar, chinkara and four-horned antelope among the mammals, along with the large brown flying squirrel near the western edge of its Indian range. Reptiles include the mugger (marsh crocodile), monitor lizard and Indian rock python.
For birders, the same factsheet reports 202 bird species (Sharma, 2002), including the Vulnerable white-naped tit. The sanctuary is also developing a four-horned antelope (chousingha) breeding enclosure in its Ambasa area, according to Udaipur Times. Sightings are never guaranteed in a forest this wild; go for the walk, the birds and the quiet.
| Group | Examples | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Mammals | Sloth bear, leopard, four-horned antelope, chinkara, wild boar, langur | About 40 bears counted in 2022; drawn by forests linking to Gujarat. |
| Birds | White-naped tit and ~200 other species | 202 species reported (Sharma, 2002); best in winter mornings. |
| Reptiles | Mugger crocodile, monitor lizard, rock python | Seen near streams and water bodies; keep a safe distance. |
| Flora | Dry deciduous forest with bamboo; stream-side trees | Riparian species such as mahua and jamun line the watercourses. |
A suggested itinerary
A short two-day visit suits the sanctuary’s remote setting. There is no dense tourist circuit here, so build the trip around forest drives, village roads and early-morning walks rather than a long tick-list.
- Day 1: Drive from Udaipur in the morning, settle into a rest house or homestay near Kotra or Panarwa, and take an afternoon forest drive or guided walk arranged through forest staff.
- Day 2: Start at first light for birding and a chance of bear or antelope sightings near water, then return towards Udaipur by afternoon. Add a half day if you want to combine it with Gogunda or Kumbhalgarh on the way back.
Where to stay
Accommodation at Phulwari ki Nal is basic and limited, so book ahead. The Rajasthan Forest Department maintains rest houses at Mamer, Panarwa and Kotra, per the Wikipedia record; these are the closest options inside the forest and usually need advance permission from the department.
For more choice and comfort, most travellers base themselves in Udaipur and make a long day trip or an overnight dash. Udaipur offers the full range, from budget guesthouses to heritage hotels. Local homestays near the forest villages are occasionally available through operators and forest staff.
- Budget (indicative, reconfirm): forest rest houses and simple village rooms, where available; carry cash.
- Mid-range: hotels in Udaipur city, roughly ₹2,000–₹5,000 a night as a planning estimate for 2026 — reconfirm at booking.
- Comfort/luxury: heritage and lake-view hotels in Udaipur, priced well above the mid-range band.
Food to try
Expect simple, home-style Rajasthani and tribal-belt food rather than restaurant menus. Inside the forest area, meals usually come from your rest house or homestay, so confirm catering in advance and carry snacks and plenty of water.
- Dal baati churma (baked wheat dough balls with lentils and a sweet crushed-wheat mix) — the classic Rajasthani plate.
- Bajre ki roti (pearl-millet flatbread) with local vegetables and buttermilk, common across this region.
- Gatte ki sabzi (gram-flour dumplings in a spiced yoghurt gravy) — an everyday Marwar dish you will find in Udaipur.
For a wider food scene, Udaipur city is the place to eat before or after your forest days.
Budget breakdown
A frugal two-day trip from Udaipur is realistic if you share a vehicle. The single biggest cost is the taxi, because the sanctuary is spread out and public transport into the interior is thin. Treat the figures below as planning estimates for 2026, not fixed rates.
| Item | Indicative cost (₹) | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi from Udaipur (shared) | ₹2,000–₹3,500 | Round trip split between 3–4 travellers; varies by operator. |
| Stay (1 night) | ₹1,000–₹2,500 | Rest house or budget room; higher for Udaipur hotels. |
| Food (2 days) | ₹600–₹1,200 | Simple meals; carry water and snacks. |
| Guide / forest entry | Reconfirm with Forest Dept | Charges and any safari fees are set locally; confirm before you go. |
Permits and rules
No special inner-line or restricted-area permit applies to Phulwari ki Nal; it is open Indian territory within Udaipur district, so ordinary travel rules apply. However, this is a notified wildlife sanctuary, so entry, any forest drive and photography inside the core are governed by the Rajasthan Forest Department, and you should arrange access and a guide through forest staff rather than wandering in independently.
Since June 2024 an Eco-Sensitive Zone of 202.34 sq km has surrounded the sanctuary, as noted on Wikipedia and in Udaipur Times reporting, with restrictions on commercial construction near the boundary. Follow standard protected-area etiquette: no plastic litter, no loud music, no feeding or chasing animals, and stay on permitted routes. Confirm current entry, drone and photography rules with the department, as these change.
Practical tips
This is a remote, interior forest, so plan for self-sufficiency. Mobile network can be patchy in the hills, there are few or no ATMs near the villages, and UPI may not work where there is no signal, so carry enough cash for the whole trip.
- Health: the nearest hospitals and reliable pharmacies are in Udaipur; carry a basic first-aid kit and any personal medicines.
- Guides: hire a local guide or go with forest staff — they know the tracks, the animals and the village boundaries.
- Respect communities: this is a tribal belt; ask before photographing people, and do not treat villages as attractions.
- Solo and women travellers: travel in daylight, keep someone informed of your plans, and prefer a vetted driver or operator given the remoteness.
- Packing: in winter, layers and a warm top for early mornings; sturdy shoes, a hat, sun protection and insect repellent year-round.
Nearby places
Phulwari ki Nal pairs well with the wider Udaipur and southern Aravalli circuit. If you are building a longer Rajasthan route, our Jodhpur travel guide covers a natural onward stop to the north-west for forts and desert culture.
| Place | Approx. distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Udaipur city | ~90 km | Lakes, palaces and the base for your trip. |
| Kumbhalgarh | ~130–150 km | Hill fort and a separate wildlife sanctuary. |
| Polo Forest (Gujarat) | Across the southern border | Adjoining forest tract popular for nature trips. |
Frequently asked questions
Where is Phulwari ki Nal Wildlife Sanctuary?
Phulwari ki Nal Wildlife Sanctuary is in Udaipur district, Rajasthan, in the southern Aravalli Hills along the Gujarat border. It spreads across the Kotra and Jhadol tehsils and covers 511.41 sq km, with its forest headquarters at Kotra, roughly 90 km by road from Udaipur city, according to Forest Department records summarised on Wikipedia.
What is the best time to visit Phulwari ki Nal?
The best time to visit Phulwari ki Nal is October to February, when the southern Aravalli weather is cool and dry and forest tracks are firm. Avoid the monsoon from July to September, when hill roads turn slippery and streams swell. Summer is hot, though wildlife gathers near the remaining water.
What wildlife can you see at Phulwari ki Nal?
Phulwari ki Nal is known for sloth bears, four-horned antelope, chinkara, leopard, wild boar and langur, plus reptiles such as the mugger crocodile and rock python. A 2022 census counted about 40 bears. Birders can expect over 200 species, including the Vulnerable white-naped tit, per the Key Biodiversity Areas factsheet.
How do you reach Phulwari ki Nal from Udaipur?
Reach Phulwari ki Nal by road from Udaipur, about 90 km and 2.5 to 3 hours by taxi or car. Udaipur has the nearest airport (Maharana Pratap Airport) and the nearest major railway station (Udaipur City). Public transport into the interior villages is limited, so a hired vehicle is the practical choice.
Do you need a permit to visit Phulwari ki Nal?
No inner-line or restricted-area permit is needed for Phulwari ki Nal, as it lies in open territory within Udaipur district. But it is a notified wildlife sanctuary, so entry, forest drives and photography are controlled by the Rajasthan Forest Department. Arrange access and a guide through forest staff, and reconfirm current rules and any fees before you travel.
Is Phulwari ki Nal good for a family or first-time wildlife trip?
Phulwari ki Nal suits travellers who enjoy remote, low-key forests rather than busy safari parks. Facilities are basic, roads are rough and sightings are unpredictable, so it is better for patient nature lovers and birders than for a guaranteed big-game experience. Families should base in Udaipur and plan carefully for the remoteness.
Last updated and sources
Go to Phulwari ki Nal if you want a quiet Aravalli forest, birds and the chance of a bear or antelope, and are happy with simple facilities. Visit between October and February, base in or near Udaipur, and plan through the Forest Department.
Last updated: 30 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Wikipedia: Phulwari ki Nal Wildlife Sanctuary (citing Rajasthan State Notification, 1983; Census of India figures); Wikipedia: Kotra Tehsil (District Census Handbook, 2011); Wikipedia: Wakal River (Jain et al., 2007); Key Biodiversity Areas factsheet, Phulwari Wildlife Sanctuary (Sharma, 2002); Udaipur Times: bear conservation project; Udaipur Times: chousingha breeding centre; Udaipur Times: eco-sensitive zone. Accessed October 2026.
