Lal Suhanra National Park

Lal Suhanra was declared a national park in 1972 and later recognised as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and its interest lies in holding three quite different habitats side by side: Cholistan desert sand, irrigated plantation forest, and the Patisar lake wetland. That mix supports an unusual species list for Punjab. Blackbuck, which had vanished from the wild here, were reintroduced into enclosures and now breed in numbers; nilgai, the large blue bull antelope, are present, along with chinkara gazelle, hog deer and a wildlife breeding centre that has worked with houbara bustard and other species. The lake draws wintering waterfowl and waders. Facilities include a small zoo-style enclosure area, rest houses and tracks through the plantation. It is popular as a day trip from Bahawalpur, and much of the visitor experience is in the enclosures rather than in genuinely wild viewing.

What you actually see

• Blackbuck enclosures - the reintroduced herds in fenced areas.
• Nilgai and chinkara - larger antelope in the park's open sections.
• Patisar lake - wetland with wintering waterfowl.
• Habitat contrast - desert, plantation forest and water within one park.

When to go

November to March for both comfort and birds; summer is very hot and the animals are inactive. Early morning and late afternoon are best for wildlife. Weekends bring family visitors to the enclosure areas.

Honest expectations

Much of the wildlife is in enclosures, so this is closer to a safari park than a wilderness reserve. Management and upkeep are inconsistent, and some facilities are run down. Tracks require a vehicle. Do not expect the density or wildness of a major African or Indian park.

Nearby

Bahawalpur and Noor Mahal are west; Cholistan begins south.