HolidayLandmark

Great Indian Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary

Great Indian Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over two districts of Ahmednagar and Solapur in Maharashtra. The vegetation is arid and semi-arid grasslands, open country with thorn scrub, tall grass interspersed with cultivation.

Great Indian Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary, wildlife in Maharashtra

About Great Indian Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary

Common species found here are Great Indian bustard, blackbuck, wolf, Indian fox, hyena and common mongoose.

Climate/Weather

It falls under the category of Dry (arid and Semiarid) Climate.The sanctuary experiences three distinct seasons: summer, monsoon and winter. Typical summer months are from March to May, with maximum temperatures ranging from 30 to 40 °C (85 to 100 °F). The warmest months are April and May when it is not uncommon to see the daytime temperatures as high as 40 °C. The monsoon lasts from June to end of September, with moderate rainfall. Average rainfall -545 mm per year. Winter begins in Novemberand last until the end of February with the temperatures occasionally dropping below 10 °C.

Interesting things to do

Bird Watching:

As goes by the name of Great Indian Bustard sanctuary, this place is the palce to find the endangered bird named Great Indian Bustard. It is a large ground dwelling bird with a long neck and long bare legs like that of an ostrich. It stands at about a metre high and is a large, brown and white bird, the male is about 122 cm (48 in) in length, its weight is 18–32 lb (8–14.5 kg) and the female 92 cm (36 in) in length, its weight is 7.8–15 lb (3.5–6.75 kg). The sexes are similar in appearance although the male is deep sandy buff coloured. The crown of the head is black and crested. In the female which is smaller than the male, the head and neck are not pure white and the breast band is either rudimentary or absent.

Nearest Visiting places

Solapur district- Markandeya Temple, Balaji Temple,Rupabhavani Temple,Nagareshwar Temple,Temple of Lord Siddharameshwar,Hipparga Lake - a scenic nature area Kambar Lake, newly named as Sambhaji lake,IndraBhavan - Solapur Corporation building, # Bhui-Kot Castle - castle of 15th century and under the Bahamani period
Hutatma Garden
Pandharpur Vithoba Temple (70 km away)
Akkalkot - Swami Samarth (35 km away)
HYDRA- saifan mulk chishti dargah (near about 20 km from Akkalkot)
Nannaj- Bird Sanctaury (25 km away)]
Tuljapur - Tuljabhavani Temple (45 km away)
Naldurg Fort (approx. 45 km towards Hyderabad)
Barshi “Bhagvant” Temple (approx. 70 km away)
Mardi - Yamai Devi Temple (22 km north of Solapur city)

Osmanabad - 65 kms from the sanctuary.
Paranda (in Osmanabd) is historical place known for the Paranda Fort. Kallamb is an important commercial centre of the district and located on the bank of river Manjra. The taluka is blessed by Yedeshwari devi, whose temple is located at Yermala, 20 km from Kallamb.

Tuljapur is a major taluka town, about 30 km from Solapur, 25 km from Osmanabad town and 40 km from Hyderabad national Highway at Naldurga.

Tuljapur is best known for its Tulja Bhavani Mandir. It is said that Tulja Bhavani mata had offered sword to Shivaji Maharaj (not verifiable) and his son re-built the temple.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

The forest lodges and the guest houses are the best places for accommodation for the visitors to put up and to experience the night life of forest, which is full of thrill and excitement. Else one can also opt for the magnificent and affordable hotels around.
Ajanta Lodge- 4 km from Airport; 1/2 km from Railway Station; 1/2 km from Bus Stand.
Hotel Pratham- 3 km from Solapur Airport; 1.5 km from Solapur Railway Station; 2 km from Solapur Bus Stand
Hotel Srikamal International- 5 minutes by walk Railway Station; 1 km from Bus Stand
Hotel Surya International- 5 km from Airport; 2 km from Railway Station; Very close to bus stand
Poonam Lodge - 4 km from Airport; 1.5 km from Railway Station; 1/2 km from Bus Stand
(All distance with solapue as epi center).

Help Line/Phone Number

Joshi Hospital,1A, Bhagawant Society,Vijapur road, SOLAPUR - 0217 2741270

Shraddha Nursing Home, Keshav Nagar, Solapur

Shirdi is famous temple of Shri Sai Baba. It was established in 1922 to carry out the services of Shri Sai Baba. Shirdi provide various facilities for the devotees. A building to accommodate 3500 devotees, having 560 self-contained rooms and two spacious halls has been constructed here.There is a Sai Baba sansthan also which provides support to many noble causes. As Sai Baba used to cure many diseases, So Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi built a ‘Shri Sainath’ Hospital to continue to provide service to patients……more

…..more

Copyright 2016 HolidayLandmark All rights reserved

Location info

  • Address: foothills of western ghats**,** Ahmednagar and Solapur

  • **District:**Ahmednagar and Solapur

  • Nearest City: Nanaj Village

  • Best time to visit: August to January is ideal to visit the sanctuary.

Things to visit & highlights

Not much to find inside the sanctuary, one can see the places around the sanctuary at Solapur district. Some places to mention- Markandeya Temple, Balaji Temple,Rupabhavani Temple,Nagareshwar Temple,Temple of Lord Siddharameshwar,Hipparga Lake - a scenic nature area Kambar Lake, newly named as Sambhaji lake,IndraBhavan - Solapur Corporation building

Nearest petrol pump

There are numbers of petrol pump surrounding the sanctuary to the highway to Great Indian Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary. One among many is Naval Petrol Pump, Ssolapur Highway.

Mobile network coverage

All major Network coverage present in Solapur and around its Highway.

Things to carry

Carrying a tour guide book will work wonder. It will help you gaining heaps of information about the region, which will definitely add delight to your touring experience.
Equip yourself with all necessary amenities like trekking kit, cameras and binoculars.
Always put a personal first-aid-box in your bag.
And plenty of water.

Tips & suggestions

Wear loose fitting and simple clothes that blend with the sanctuary surroundings.

Best time to visit Great Indian Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary

October to June: best wildlife sightings in dry months (March–June). Parks are closed during peak monsoon (July–September).

Timings & opening hours

Open from sunrise to sunset. Safari timings are typically 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Entry fee & tickets

INR 50–200 per person for Indian nationals, INR 500–1500 for foreign nationals. Safari vehicle charges extra (INR 1000–3000).

Duration needed

3–4 hours for a jeep safari. Full-day safaris are available at major parks like Tadoba and Pench.

Safety tips

Follow safari rules — stay inside the vehicle at all times. Do not feed or tease animals. Maintain silence. Wear earth-coloured clothing. Follow your guide’s instructions. Carry insect repellent and first-aid kit.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: Nagpur International Airport (NAG) or nearest city airport. Nearest railway station: Chandrapur or nearest station. Accessible by road from nearest city.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Maharashtrian cuisine — missal pav, vada pav, puran poli, and local thalis — is widely available.

History of Great Indian Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary

This national park was established to protect the region’s biodiversity and wildlife. It is part of Maharashtra’s network of protected areas that preserve the state’s natural heritage.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit? October to June is the safari season. Parks are typically closed during monsoon (July–September). The dry months (March–June) offer the best wildlife sightings.

How do I book a safari? Safari tickets can be booked online through the official forest department portal. Advance booking is recommended, especially for popular zones.

What animals can I expect to see? Depending on the park, you can see tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, gaurs, sambars, chitals, and numerous bird species.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Quick facts

  • Location: Maharashtra
  • Best time to visit: October to March for ideal wildlife sightings
  • Ideal duration: Half day to full day for a complete experience
  • Safari timings: Early morning and late afternoon shifts available
  • Entry: Entry fee applicable for Indian and foreign tourists
  • Accommodation: Forest lodges and resorts available nearby

Visitor information

  • Timings: Generally open from sunrise to sunset. Verify local timings before planning your visit.
  • Entry fee: Entry and safari charges applicable. Advance booking recommended during weekends.
  • Best time to visit: October to March for the most comfortable weather conditions.
  • Duration needed: 1 to 2 hours recommended for a comfortable visit.

Map & location view

  • Destination: Great Indian Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary
  • State: Maharashtra, India
  • Location details: (SSE) Sholapur AirportRoad Transport: Nearest bus station is at Solapur; Solapur Junction Railway Station is the nearest railhead, 22 km away
  • Region: forest and wildlife region of Maharashtra
  • How to reach: Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Local transport options include buses and taxis.
  • Google Maps: Search for “Great Indian Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Great Indian Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary on popular travel photography sites and social media.

Getting there

How to reach Great Indian Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary

Nearest Railway Station: Solapur Junction Railway Station is the nearest railhead, 22 km away. For enquiry: Dial 0217- 133Nearest Airport:(SSE) Sholapur AirportRoad Transport: Nearest bus station is at Solapur. Phone - 25583063, 25525000Great Indian Bustard wildlife sanctuary Contacts & Suggestions Address: Dy.Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Pune,New PMT Building, 3rd Floor, Shankarseth Road, Swarget Pune-411 042 Phone No. : 020-4471465(O), 5512303(R)

Visual tour
Visual tour

Video gallery

Explore more
Anerdam Wildlife Sanctuary, wildlife in Maharashtra

Anerdam Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in Shirpur Tehsil of Dhule District on the southwestern range of Satpura range, the Anerdam wildlife sanctuary is one of the most famous sanctuaries in…

HLHolidayLandmarkExplore
Bhamragarh Wildlife Sanctury, wildlife in Maharashtra

Bhamragarh Wildlife Sanctury

The Bhamragarh Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries in India. Covering an area of approximately 104 square kilometers, the…

HLHolidayLandmarkExplore
Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, wildlife in Maharashtra

Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary is located in the northern part of the Western Ghats. It is spread over three districts Pune, Thane and Raigad. There is a shrine in the forest with…

HLHolidayLandmarkExplore