Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary

If you are someone who love to listen to the sweet chirpings of birds and admire the fine details of their feathers and beaks, then Sultan Bird Sanctuary is one of the best places for you. Located in the Gurgaon district of Haryana, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, also known as Sultanpur National Park, is a paradise for the bird watching enthusiasts and nature paramours with around 90 migratory bird species during winters and about 250 beautiful local species as well. A perfect weekend getaway from the chaotic life of Delhi and Gurgaon, the national park is 40km from Dhaula-Kuan in Delhi on the Gurgaon-Farukh Nagar Road. Surrounded by the sweet chirping of birds while you sit beside a picture-perfect serene lake in the middle of the park is just what you need to rejuvenate your senses.

The bird sanctuary was designated as a national park by the Haryana government and is it home to several domestic and migratory bird species most of which travel across continents and distances from Europe, Central Asia, and Siberia during the winter season. To make the bird watching experience more comfortable and feasible, four towers have been made in different points inside the sanctuary from where you can use your binoculars to witness the vibrant chirpy birds. The serene lake at the sanctuary is what draws the birds to this area and offers a perfect spot for visitors to have picnic and boating facilities as well.

Sultanpur is named after Rajput Chauhan Sultan Singh, who was the great-grandson of Harsh Dev Chauhan, and it was the hub of salt production till the 19th century. The park was initially an area mostly covered with marshy land where water got accumulated during rainy season and dried out in summer. During that time, the marshy land coupled with organisms like crustaceans, fish, and insects started to draw many birds including the migratory birds. During the conference of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resources (IUCN) in 1969, the significance of the Sultanpur Jheel was observed. The water body was the main source of attraction for birds since about a century. The late prime minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Peter

Jackson of IUCN were main drivers of this discussion.

On 2nd April 1971, the Sultanpur Jheel along with an area of 1.21 sq. km was given a Sanctuary status under section 8 of the Punjab Wildlife Preservation Act of 1959. The status of the sanctuary was further upgraded to a National Park on 5th July 1991, under Section 35 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the area also increased to 1.42 sq. km. The Sultanpur National Park consists of the land of Sadhrana, Chandu, Sultanpur, and Saidpur villages.

• Resident birds: common hoopoe, paddy field pipit, purple sunbird, weaver bird, little cormorant, Indian Cormorant, red-collared dove, common spoonbill, crested lark, grey francolin, black francolin, Indian roller, painted stork, black-necked stork, Red-wattled Lapwing, white ibis, black-headed ibis, little egret, great egret, cattle egret, red-vented bulbul, rose-ringed parakeet, shikra, Eurasian collared dove, laughing dove, spotted owlet, rock pigeon, magpie robin, greater coucal, bank mynah, white-throated kingfisher, common mynah and green bee-eater.
• Migratory birds: Siberian crane, gadwall, greater flamingo, ruff, black-winged stilt, common teal, spotted redshank, common greenshank, Eurasian wigeon, northern pintail, yellow wagtail, spot-billed pelican, white wagtail, northern shoveler, rosy pelican, wood sandpiper, spotted sandpiper, black-tailed godwit, starling, bluethroat and long-billed pipit. 

Plant species that one can spot here include Dhok, Khair, Ber, Tendu, Banyan, Acacia, Neem, Berberis, and several exotic grasses. Animals you can witness here include Blue Bull (Nilgai), Blackbuck, Wild Dog, Hog Deer, Caracal, Sambar, Hedgehog, Wild Cat, Striped Hyena, Mongoose, Honey badger, Indian Porcupine, and Leopards.

• Besides watch towers for bird watching, the park offers facilities such as an Education and Interpretation Centre, a library, films, slides, and binoculars. Boating facility is also available in the lake located in the premises.
• There is a room dedicated to Mr. Salim Ali, the famous ornithologist and bird lover, which consists of his photographs, photographs taken by him, his write ups, and some of his personal belongings.
• There is a public parking outside the park, washrooms, drinking water facilities, and a playground for the children in the reserve. For those who want to stay overnight, there is a well-appointed guest house with all basic amenities.

The best time to visit Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is during winters as all the migratory birds flock here during this time. The weather during the months between October to February is very pleasing as well with no humidity and mildly cold winds which makes it the ideal time to explore the dense area of the sanctuary.

The timing of the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is from 7am to 4:30pm and it remains closed on Tuesday. If you want to visit before 7 am then a special permission is required to be taken in advance and not more than 10 people are allowed before 7.

Indians: INR5

Foreigners: INR40

Camera: INR10

Video Camera: INR500

INR2 per person for child

• The best time to do bird watching at Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is during early hours on or before 7am. During this time birds come out of their nests at sunrise and return at sunset.
• Carry a good pair of binoculars with you.
• Make sure to be as quite as possible to not scare the birds and animals away.
• Carry hats if visiting during summer season.
• Make sure to carry a valid ID card without which you may not be granted entry inside the park.

• By Road: The best way to reach Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is by taking your own vehicle if you are travelling from Delhi. You can also hire a cab or rent a car for a day to drive to the sanctuary which is about 50km from the central Delhi.Another way is to take a bus from Delhi to Sultanpur which is also a comfortable and economical way of transport.
• By Air: The nearest airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport and Palam Domestic Airport in Delhi and located at 35km away. You can easily get cabs from the airport to Sultanpur, or you can board a metro and get to Sultanpur metro station.
• By Train: Gurgaon Railway Station is the nearest railhead at 14km away and is connected to major north Indian cities. Taxis and rickshaws are available to take you to the park.

• Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary Tourist Complex Guest House (4 star): Starting at INR 300/-
• AapnoGhar Resort (4 star): Starting at INR 1,809/-
• Ginger Hotel, Manesar (4 star): Starting at INR 3,359/-
• Hyatt Regency Gurgaon (4.5): Starting at INR 5,878/-
• Heritage Village Resort & Spa, Manesar (4 star): Starting at INR 6,588

• Sheetla Mata Mandir – A hindu temple dedicated to hindu goddess widely worshipped in north India, West Bengal, Nepal, Bangladesh as the pox-goddess. She is the goddess of sores, ghouls, pustules, and diseases n Hindu mythology.
• Kingdom of Dreams – It is India’s first live entertainment, leisure, and theatre destination offering a taste of ancient and modern India through interactive tableaus, galleries, and art.
• Leisure Valley Park– It is an urban park space with lush green lawns, rose hardens, picnic spots, children’s play area, a café, and a fountain with musical water shows. The park is a perfect escape to take some fresh air and enjoy some time with your loved ones while surrounded by nature.
• Farrukh Nagar Fort– Farrukh Nagar was known for its salt trade till the 19th century and its historic richness can be seen through several significant monuments like the Farrukh Nagar Fort which is made of pink sandstone in an octagonal shape.
• Museum of Folk and Tribal Art – A museum showcasing artifacts from the different tribal and folk regions of India such as handicrafts made of iron, wood & stone, embroidered fabrics, colorful murals, and terracotta objects.
• Sky Jumper Trampoline Park (15.1 km) – One of the best places to enjoy some leisure activities, the trampoline park is visited by both children and adults alike and is an indoor playful space with over 100 interconnected trampolines and a line up of special activities.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)