Home to a wide variety of plants and animals, the Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary is located about 70Km from the city of Vadodara in Panchmahal district of Gujarat. The park is excellent in vegetation that comprises of teak, bamboo, mahuda trees and several other types of small vegetation. The area was acknowledged as a sanctuary in 1990 in the month of May.

Before the independence of India, Jambughoda was a princely state comprising of several hills and valleys and the sanctuary was a part of this state. There are two water tanks in the sanctuary one located in Kada and another in Targol. The reservoirs add more weightage to the scenic beauty of the area. Apart from predators and preys the sanctuary is also home to different types of reptiles. Some of the areas of the Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary are inhabited by small tribes. One of the most beautiful locations in the sanctuary is Kada. Here you can also find a rest house on the edge of the water reservoir. It is also a great site for camping. The area around Targol Round falls under the Vadodara district.

The most mesmerising scene of the reserve is the hills covered with thick vegetation and the beautiful valleys with human settlements. The Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best areas for nature education and environmental awareness. The sanctuary spans over a large area of 130.38 square kilometres. Visitors to the sanctuary can enjoy hiking and camping in the area. There are several hiking trails that take you through the forest area. However, it is important to take a guide along, as the sanctuary in inhabited by a number of predators. If you are planning a trip to Vadodara then a small detour to this beautiful sanctuary is highly recommended.

Geography

The area of the Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary is made up of hilly and uneven areas. Most of the region of the sanctuary is covered by teak forests. The other sections are covered with dry teak, mixed deciduous, Butea forest, southern dry tropical river rain forest, dry deciduous scrub and secondary dry deciduous forest. There are also large number of mahuda trees in the area that serve as a good source of food for the tribes and wildlife.

The sanctuary plays an important role in creating the ecological and hydrological balance in the small river catchments, which helps prevent soil erosion. The two water reservoirs at Kada and Targol are excellent watering holes for animals and the flora in the area.

Wildlife

The Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary is extremely rich in wildlife. The topmost predator in the area is leopard. Other predators in the sanctuary include the wolf, hyena and the jackal. There are several other animals in the sanctuary such as the four horned antelope, barking deer, civets, bluebull arid wild boar, porcupine, mongoose and sloth bear. Visitors can also spot a number of reptiles in the area including venomous and non-venomous snakes.

When it comes to avifauna, the sanctuary was quite rich in it, but off late the number of birds in the area has decreased. The two reservoirs in the sanctuary fulfil the watering needs of the animals that inhabit the area.

How to Reach

By Road

The Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary is about 70Km from Vadodara and about 20Km from Champaner. If you are combining both the visits then it is best to hire a car. The nearest town to the sanctuary is about 1Km away, Shivrajpur. It can easily be accessed by buses from different towns and cities of Gujarat.

By Rail

The closest railway station to the sanctuary is in Shivrajpur.

By Air

The closest airport to the sanctuary is in Vadodara about 70 Km away.

Best Time to Visit

The winter months are the best time to visit the sanctuary. Plan your visit between the months of November to March. When visiting during this time you can spot game easily. During summers the weather can get quite hot and uncomfortable. If you wish to stay in the rest house in the sanctuary, it is best to make advance bookings. Bring along your camera and keep in mind not to wander around the area on your own. It is always better to take help from a guide or a local person who has been living in the area for long.