Leopards of Jawai

Three nights gives five or six drives, which is what we recommend for a strong chance of good leopard sightings. Photographers often add a fourth night. The drives run at dawn, as the cats return to their caves, and in the late afternoon, as they come out on the rocks. Day 3 also leaves room for a walk with Rabari herders and the reservoir. With a fourth night, we add drives rather than sightseeing.

Yes, but they are about 450 km apart. The usual pattern is Jaipur and Ranthambore, a flight to Udaipur, then Jawai. Allow at least 11 nights for both with palaces. Jawai sits about three hours by road from both Udaipur and Jodhpur, so it fits at either end of the western leg. We plan the order around Ranthambore safari permits, which we apply for as soon as dates are fixed.

Striped hyenas, jackals, jungle cats, mugger crocodiles in the reservoir, and many birds, including winter migrants. Sightings of hyenas are less common than leopards. On day 3 we take you to the Jawai reservoir in the afternoon, where you see crocodiles, birds and herders bringing their animals to drink. Bring binoculars, as the leopards themselves are often 50 to 150 m away.

October to March is the most comfortable, with good activity at dawn and dusk. Spring is warmer but productive. From November to February the dawn drives are cold in an open vehicle, so pack warm layers, a hat and gloves. SUJÁN Jawai operates seasonally, and we confirm its opening dates before we fix the rest of your journey; check current status before you travel.

Yes. Many guests come simply for the setting, the quiet and the leopards. The camp's food, tents and sundowners make it a good stay even on days when the cats are elusive. Between drives there is a morning walk with a Rabari herding family, chai at their homestead and an afternoon at the reservoir. The middle of each day is free for rest at camp.

By car from Jodhpur or Udaipur, each about 3 hours. Fly into one and out of the other. A train station at Jawai Bandh is nearby, with limited services. On this journey your driver meets you at Jodhpur airport for the 150 km drive south, and you leave via Ranakpur for Udaipur, about 200 km and five hours with the temple visit. Train times change; check current status before you travel.

No. It is open land shared with villages and herders, so there are no park gates or zones. Drives follow agreed routes with the camp's naturalists. The leopards live on granite hills among temples, fields and Rabari grazing land, and they are used to people and vehicles. That is why we include a morning with a herding family as well as the dawn and dusk drives.

Children are generally welcome, subject to the camp's age policy, which changes. Tell us ages when planning. Drives start at dawn and in the late afternoon, and winter mornings are cold, so warm layers matter for younger travellers. In Udaipur, the sunset boat on Lake Pichola and the City Palace work well for families. Camp rules apply to every drive, so check current status before you travel.

Yes, per person, twin sharing, from the figure shown. SUJÁN Jawai's rates vary by season. Single travellers pay a supplement. The final figure also depends on your dates and room category at The Oberoi Udaivilas, and peak weeks around Christmas, New Year and Diwali cost more. We confirm a firm quote once your dates are fixed and the camp has confirmed availability.