National park · India
Aner Dam Wildlife Sanctuary
Enter Aner Dam Wildlife Sanctuary for a short wildlife walk (entry fee ~₹50) in the cooler months Nov‑Feb; skip in summer heat unless on a guided trek.
- 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
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
approximate
Established
1995
Best months
Nov–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- 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.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
- Exact size not published; estimates around 150 km² (check).
- Established
- 1995
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Permits
- Not needed
Aner Dam Wildlife Sanctuary in north‑Maharashtra protects Satpura forest habitats, offering easy wildlife trails and winter bird‑watching opportunities.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1995.
Size and age
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²) · national park since 1995
Exact size not published; estimates around 150 km² (check).
Why go
- Spot barking deer, chikaras, jungle cats and monitor lizards on easy forest trails.
- Watch migratory birds such as Brahminy ducks and cranes in winter.
- Explore the southwestern Satpura range near Dhule and Shirpur.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barking deer, chikaras, hares, porcupines, jungle cats, monitor lizardsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Hyenas, jackals, wolves, wild boars (migrants)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Leafs, quails, partridges, egrets, herons, cormorants, owlsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Brahminy ducks, cranes, storks, waders (migratory)Nov–Feb | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | 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 Nardona railway station
40 km (25 mi) by road, regular bus or taxi25 mi (40 km) by road, regular bus or taxi
1 h
From Chailsgaon railway station
125 km (78 mi) by road, bus or taxi78 mi (125 km) by road, bus or taxi
2.5–3 h
From Aurangabad airport
215 km (134 mi) by road, hire car or bus134 mi (215 km) by road, hire car or bus
4–5 h
From Shirpur town
15 km (9.3 mi) by road, local bus or taxi9.3 mi (15 km) by road, local bus or taxi
30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Sanctuary entrance | Gate, visitor info, short trails to wildlife spotting points. | Open daily; entry fee required. |
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 are approximate centre of the sanctuary.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry fee | INR 50–100 (≈ US$1–2) | person | Check at gate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entry permit no permit
Park rules
- Camping
- Only in designated areas; otherwise prohibited.check
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use stoves only.
- Pets
- Dogs not permitted inside sanctuary.
Where to stay
Near the park
Shirpur town
Budget hotels and guesthouses, ~15 km (9.3 mi) from gate.Budget hotels and guesthouses, ~9.3 mi (15 km) from gate.
Near the park
Dhule city
Mid‑range hotels, 70 km (43 mi) away, with more services.Mid‑range hotels, 43 mi (70 km) away, with more services.
Safety
Snake bites low
Heat exhaustion medium
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
- Road access to gate is paved; short walks are level.
- Trails are unpaved and may be uneven; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Support local guides and buy food in Shirpur to benefit nearby communities.
- Carry out all litter; avoid disturbing wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Aner Dam Wildlife Sanctuary?
Entry fee is about ₹50–₹100 per person at the gate; exact price may vary, check locally.
What are the best hikes in Aner Dam Wildlife Sanctuary?
The short forest wildlife trail (2–3 h) and the winter bird‑watching walk (1–2 h) are the main marked routes.
When is the best time to visit Aner Dam Wildlife Sanctuary?
November to February offers cooler weather and migratory bird activity; other months are still visitable but hotter.
How do I get to the sanctuary from the nearest airport?
From Aurangabad airport, hire a car or take a bus for a 4–5 hour drive (≈215 km) to the gate.
Are there accommodations inside the sanctuary?
No permanent lodging; stay in Shirpur or Dhule and travel to the gate each day.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Aner Dam Wildlife Sanctuary
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