National park · Pakistan
Keenjhar Lake
Enter Keenjhar Lake for about Rs 200 (check) and walk the 3 km (1.9 mi) lakeside trail; best visiting Oct–Mar to avoid heat and crowds.Enter Keenjhar Lake for about Rs 200 (check) and walk the 1.9 mi (3 km) lakeside trail; best visiting Oct–Mar to avoid heat and crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
135 km² (52 sq mi)52 sq mi (135 km²)
approximate
Established
1976
Best months
Oct–Dec
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 5Check your own government travel advice for Pakistan befo…
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Pakistan ↗Check your own government travel advice for Pakistan before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Pakistan ↗Get the visa only through the official online system (visa.nadra.gov.pk); some areas need a separate permit (NOC) or police registration.
- Pakistan ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to the provinces you will visit before you rely on it.
At a glance
- Country
- Pakistan
- Area
- 135 km² (52 sq mi)52 sq mi (135 km²)
- Lake covers about 13,468 ha (≈134.7 km²) (check).
- Established
- 1976
- Best months
- Oct–Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
Keenjhar Lake, also called Kalri Lake, is a large freshwater Ramsar wetland in Sindh, serving as Karachi's main drinking‑water source and a popular weekend resort with birdwatching, fishing and a historic shrine on a central island.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetland · 1976Designated Ramsar wetland.
Size and age
135 km² (52 sq mi)52 sq mi (135 km²) · national park since 1976
Lake covers about 13,468 ha (≈134.7 km²) (check).
Why go
- Large freshwater lake with birdwatching and fishing opportunities.
- Cultural site of Jam Tamachi’s shrine on a central island.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, many migratory birds.
- FebMild, good for walking.
- MarWarm, still dry.
- AprRising heat.
- MayHot, occasional showers.
- JunVery hot, water level low.
- JulPeak summer heat.
- AugHot, occasional storms.
- SepStill hot, start of monsoon.
- OctCooling, clear skies.
- NovPleasant, bird activity.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter migratory birds (ducks, geese, flamingos, cormorants, waders)Nov–Feb · Best seen early morning. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Local fish speciesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Karachi
Drive north on N‑5; about 130 km (81 mi) (≈2 h).Drive north on N‑5; about 81 mi (130 km) (≈2 h).
2 h
Open the page →
From Hyderabad
Drive north on N‑5; about 80 km (50 mi).Drive north on N‑5; about 50 mi (80 km).
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Thatta
Drive northeast on N‑5; about 30 km (19 mi).Drive northeast on N‑5; about 19 mi (30 km).
0.5 h
From Public minibus
Minibus runs Between Thatta and Hyderabad; ask driver to drop at lake gate (Rs 150).
0.5–1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lake gate / resort area | Entry point, parking, basic dhaba restaurants, and the STDC resort. | Open to visitors with entry fee. |
| Island shrine | Grave of Jam Tamachi in the lake centre. | Reach by hired motor boat (small fee). |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate centre of lake; gate location from resort data.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake entry fee | PKR 200 | person | Approximate; official amount not published (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Lake entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are scarce.
- Fires
- Open fires are prohibited.
- Boats
- Only use designated motor boats; no private launch without permission.
- Fishing
- Allowed with personal gear; commercial fishing requires permit (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Keenjhar Lake Resort (STDC)
24 huts with basic amenities; price Rs 3,000–5,000 per night.
Near the park
Desert Hawks Resort
Simple cottages run by the army; nominal charges.
Safety
Heat medium
Water safety low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main paths around the gate are flat and suitable for limited mobility.
- Island boat trip requires boarding steps; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Bring your own waste bags and dispose of litter at the gate.
- Support local dhaba vendors; avoid single‑use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Keenjhar Lake?
The official entry fee is not published; visitors usually pay about Rs 200 at the gate (check).
What are the best hikes in Keenjhar Lake?
A flat lakeside trail (2–3 km) around the resort is the main walk; longer routes require a boat to the island and return.
When is the best time to visit Keenjhar Lake?
October to March offers cooler weather and good birdwatching; avoid the peak summer months June–August.
Can I stay overnight at the lake?
Yes, the STDC resort offers huts (Rs 3,000–5,000 per night); Desert Hawks Resort provides basic cottages nearby.
Is fishing allowed?
Personal fishing is common; commercial fishing needs a permit (check).
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go