Mayureswar Wildlife Sanctuary is probably the smallest Wildlife Sanctuary in India around 5 km which provides you an opportunity to spot Chinkaras, Indian Wolf, Indian Fox, Striped Hyena, Indian rabbits, and a wide variety of birds.
Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
About Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
Mayureswar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Tehsil Baramati in Pune district in Maharashtra, India. It is 74 km from Pune and 35 km from Daund making it an awesome one-day tourist destination near Pune. The area was declared as a sanctuary on 19 August 1997. Mayureshwar Sanctuary is mostly made of dry deciduous scrub forest and interspersed grasslands. Tourists are allowed to drive their vehicles inside the sanctuary as well as to walk.
Gazelle at Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
Wildlife at Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
Though Mayureshwar Appears to be a tiny forest patch, it houses a large number of wildlife which includes –
- Chinkaras
- Indian Wolf
- Indian Fox
- Striped Hyena
- Indian Rabbits
- Wide variety of birds
Bay-backed shrike at Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
After visiting Bhigwan – A migratory bird paradise in the morning we had ample time in the evening to visit Mayureshwar wildlife sanctuary. Initially, we didn’t have many hopes from this small forest patch. However, the place turned out to be a tiny oasis. At the edges, the grassland was degraded but as we moved deeper we got to see a lot of wildlife and birds. The first animal that caught our attention was a Chinkara. Once the Chinkara sensed us it ran away. Next, we got to see two horses and many more Chinkaras. What we enjoyed the most at Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary was watching birds. We got to see a Bay-backed Shirke, Eurasian collared dove, and black shoulder kite. It was fun spotting these birds and animals. Once we caught the sight of an animal or bird we use to get excited and think about what would we see next.
Gazelle at Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary Horse at Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
Overall, Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is a big surprise wrapped in a small piece of land. The experience of driving inside the sanctuary was one of the best. If you enjoy wildlife photography or bird watching then the place is for you. One can visit Bhigwan, Bhuleshwar temple, Morgoan Ganpati and Jejuri temple are other tourist spots near Mayureshwar which are worth watching. Don’t forget to check out my photo library for Bjigwan.
Eurasian collared dove at Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
There are no tar roads inside the Mayureshwar Sanctuary. So when you drive through the sanctuary many pebbles hit your car belly. Hence it is advisable to drive a high ground clearance vehicle while visiting Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. You can also walk inside the sanctuary. There is an entry fee for the sanctuary. If you are planning to stay near the sanctuary then accommodation options available in the vicinity are in Supe, outside the sanctuary. You can also stay in the Hadapsar area in Pune and drive to the sanctuary in the morning or evening.
Birds at Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
Insider tips
1. How to reach:
- By Road: This is the best option to reach Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. From Pune head towards Hadapsar ->Manjri-> Loni Kalbhor –> Kunjirwadi –> Sortapwadi Phatha –> Kasurdi –> Bhandgaon. Take a right turn from Kdeagaon and head towards Supe –> Mayureshwar.
- By Rail: If you are traveling by train, then Daund is the nearest railway station. You can also get down at Pune station. However, the proximity of Daund to Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is better than Pune Station. From Pune/Daund you can hire a cab or travel by MSRTC bus to reach Supe or Mayureshwar.
- By Air: If you are traveling by air then Pune airport is the nearest one. From Pune airport, you can take a car or MSRTC bus.
2. Budget:
Minimum INR 500 per person ( Inclusive of entrance fee, car fee, and camera fee. Many people don’t pay the fees and enter the sanctuary since there is no checking done at the entry point)
3. Best season to visit:
The best season to visit is from late August to February when the weather is not very harsh. Summers are hot and humid and there is heavy rainfall during the monsoon. Try to visit early morning or evening since you get to see more animals during this time.
In Nutshell
Overall, Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is a big surprise wrapped in a small piece of land. It provides you an opportunity to spot Chinkaras, Indian Wolf, Indian Fox, Striped Hyena, Indian rabbits & a wide variety of birds. The experience of driving inside the sanctuary is one of the best. If you enjoy wildlife photography or bird watching then the place is for you.
So, if you plan to visit this tiny forest housing a large variety of species, then do let me know your experience in the comment section below. You can also visit Bhigwan, Jejuri, Bhuleshwar temple when you visit Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.
