A Guide To Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Gurgaon

Things to do / Highlights

Bird watching and photography

The primary reason you for to visit Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary should be because of the variety of birds you will see here. It is home to over 250 species of birds, both residents and migrants alike. There are 4 watchtowers called machans where you can have different perspectives of the birds, in every corner of the park. Some of the familiar birds you may spot include different species of ducks, doves, owls, parakeets, robins, pigeons, and many more. The beautiful landscape where the sanctuary is located has been recently declared as a National Park in India. It’s also the perfect place for nature photographers to get snaps and shots of the beautiful birds and its surroundings.

Educational Interpretation Center

While inside the park you will also find the Educational Interpretation Center. This is where you will learn about the different species of birds. There are photographs, infographics, videos, and other educational materials which are great, especially for kids who want to learn more about the birdlife at the sanctuary. There is also a library if you want to know more. Additionally, there is a room dedicated to Dr. Salim Ali, a famous Indian ornithologist. Inside you will find memorabilia related to him and his works on ornithology or the study of birds.

Recreational activities

If bird watching isn’t really your thing, then that’s okay. You will still find plentiful activities to do while inside the sanctuary. Aside from photography, you can simply take a walk around the park and take in the scenery. This is especially perfect if you’re alone. If you’re with your family or friends, you can bring snacks and set up a picnic. What could be a better way to spend family bonding than eating amongst a plethora of colorful birds in their natural habitat?

Travelers tips

Best time to go

The sanctuary is open all year round, but many have suggested that the best time to go is during winter. This is the time when many birds migrate from colder regions like Europe, Central Asia, and Siberia. It’s during this time you will get to see rare species of cranes, flamingos, pelicans, and sandpipers. You can also visit during the summer since some birds migrate here as well, but not as much as the winter season. Just be prepared for the temperatures to go quite low or high as the climate in Northern India tends to be on the extremes sometimes.

Things to remember

Bird watching is a special kind of hobby and is made for those who have much appreciation for nature. That being said, there are specific things to remember when going bird watching. First is to make sure you go to the sanctuary as early as you can. Birds usually leave their nests at sunrise and return at sunset. It would be magical to see them as their day begins, wouldn’t it? Also, don’t forget to bring binoculars so you can get a good look at them. And lastly, try to make as minimal noise as possible. This might cause disturbance to the birds and can even harm them. Allow yourself to observe silently how these beautiful creatures live in their natural habitat.

Tourist Complex Guest House

If one day isn’t enough for you to experience the sanctuary and you’re planning to stay overnight, don’t worry! You don’t even have to leave the premises. You can simply check-in at the Tourist Complex Guest House located within the sanctuary. The guest house is complete with modern amenities, including a restaurant and a bar. For your comfort, you can choose from the regular, deluxe, and superior rooms. There is also parking on site for your convenience.

How to get there

The Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, located in the region of Haryana, is around 46 kilometers (28.5 miles) from the capital city, New Delhi. If you’re flying to India, you have to catch a flight to the Indira Gandhi International Airport then from there you will have several options to get to the sanctuary itself.

Rail system

You can take either the railway or the metro, which are two different train lines in India. The railway allows you to get from New Delhi to several suburban regions outside of the city such as Haryana. The metro, on the other hand, takes you short distances within the city and the surrounding areas. To get to the sanctuary, you can take the railway and get off at Gurgaon Railway Station or you can take the metro and get off at Sultanpur Metro Station. From both stations, you can hail a taxi to take you to the sanctuary.

Taxi or Uber

Alternatively, if you’ve got extra cash with you, you can hail a taxi or an Uber directly from your accommodation if you’re staying in New Delhi or other cities. Simply tell the driver you wish to go to the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary and be prepared to pay a little more than the train.

How to book tickets

Admission tickets to the sanctuary is only available on site. You can purchase them at the entrance. If you’re an Indian national, an individual ticket cost about 5 INR while for foreigners, it costs 40 INR, which are both equivalent to less than 1 USD. Children also have special prices at 2 INR. Take note that they also have certain fees for camera equipment and parking charges. In the summer months, tickets are sold between 6:30am to 6pm while during winter the schedule is 6:30am to 4:30pm.

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary information

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary

Address: Gurgaon Farukh Nagar Rd, Sultanpur, Gurugram, Haryana 122006, India

Department of tourism: Haryana Tourism

Opening hours: Wed - Mon: 7am - 4:30pm (closed on Tue)

Price: Less than 1 USD