Desert National Park, near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, protects the great Thar desert and its rare wildlife, above all the Great Indian Bustard, one of the most endangered birds in the world.
You explore it by jeep with a local guide, and you need a forest permit for the park. You take the permit at the forest office in Jaisalmer, and go with a guide who knows where the bustard and the other desert wildlife are. There is no simple online booking; you arrange it in Jaisalmer.
Who needs a permit
You need a forest permit for every person, Indian or foreign, to enter the park. You do not drive into the desert core alone. A local guide goes with you, both to find the shy wildlife and to keep you on the right tracks in the open desert.
The safari, in plain words
Your jeep crosses the rolling dunes and stony plains of the Thar, where you watch for the tall, stately Great Indian Bustard, for desert foxes, chinkara gazelle, and many birds of prey and larks. Dawn and the late afternoon are the best times, when the desert is cool and the birds are active. A patient guide and a quiet approach give you the best chance of the bustard, which is rare and easily disturbed.
Where to get the permit, step by step
Arrange the forest permit at the Desert National Park office in Jaisalmer, or let a local guide or your hotel arrange it. Give your identity, pay the entry and vehicle charge, and go with a guide who knows the bustard grounds. Set out early for the dawn. Carry your original identity, because staff check it. [Confirm the current permit process at the Jaisalmer forest office. Last checked 13 September 2026.]
Season, so you plan the right months
The park is best in the cooler, drier months, from about November to March, when the desert is pleasant and the winter birds are in. The summer is fiercely hot, and not the time for a desert safari. Even in winter the days are bright and the nights cold, so carry sun protection, water and a warm layer.
Common mistakes to avoid
- The biggest mistake is going without a guide, both for the wildlife and to stay on the right tracks. The next is coming in the summer heat, when a desert safari is hard. Do not chase or crowd the Great Indian Bustard, which is critically endangered and easily disturbed. Do not forget water and sun cover in the open desert.
Questions people ask
Do I need a permit for Desert National Park?
Yes, a forest permit taken at the Jaisalmer forest office, with a jeep and a local guide.
Can I book online?
There is no simple online booking. Your guide or hotel arranges the permit, or you take it at the forest office in Jaisalmer.
What will I see?
The rare Great Indian Bustard, plus desert foxes, chinkara, and many desert birds.
When is the best time?
From about November to March, the cool, dry months.
Is it near Jaisalmer?
Yes, the park is close to Jaisalmer, so you can base in the city.