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NATURE · SANCTUARY · SLOTH BEARJessore Sanctuary
Realm of the sloth bear — the Jessore Wildlife Sanctuary, a rugged range of Aravalli hills on the Gujarat-Rajasthan border, famed as a refuge for sloth bears and birds.
Hills of the sloth bear
The Jessore Wildlife Sanctuary protects a rugged stretch of the Aravalli hills in northern Banaskantha, along the border with Rajasthan, around the high peak of Jessore. Best known as one of Gujarat’s important refuges for the sloth bear, the sanctuary’s dry forests, hills and valleys also shelter leopard, hyena, wild boar, antelope, porcupine and a rich variety of birds.
With trails, viewpoints and dramatic hill scenery — including waterfalls in the monsoon — it is a rewarding destination for wildlife and nature lovers, and an eco-tourism camp offers a base. Combined with nearby Balaram and Ambaji, it rounds out Banaskantha’s wilder, greener side. (A protected sanctuary; permits/guides; best in winter.)
Jessore hills, Banaskantha.
Dry hills protected for the sloth bear
The sanctuary hills.
Mount Jessore rises to roughly 1,100 metres in the Aravalli range on the Gujarat-Rajasthan border, one of the highest points in the state and the feature the sanctuary is named for.
The area was notified as a wildlife sanctuary in 1978, principally to protect the sloth bear population in these dry deciduous hills.
The terrain is broken country rather than flat forest — steep ridges, narrow valleys and seasonal streams that cut down towards the plain, which is what makes it good bear habitat.
Forest department trails and an eco-tourism camp now give visitors a way in, with guides required for the interior.
Reasons to make the time
Sloth bears
One of Gujarat's most important refuges for the sloth bear, which forages for termites and fruit through these dry hills at dusk and after dark.
Aravalli hills
Steep Aravalli ridges and wooded valleys, a very different landscape from the flat plains and salt flats most visitors associate with Gujarat.
Leopard & more
Leopard, striped hyena, jackal, wild boar, four-horned antelope, pangolin and porcupine all occur, though most are nocturnal and rarely seen.
Rich birdlife
The bird list runs to well over a hundred species, with raptors over the ridges and, in winter, migrants down from the Himalaya.
Monsoon falls
After the monsoon the streams off Jessore hill run hard and several seasonal waterfalls appear, the greenest weeks of the year here.
Eco-camp
The eco-tourism camp makes an unhurried base and pairs naturally with Balaram and Ambaji a short drive south.
What to look for inside
THE HILLSJessore
Dry deciduous Aravalli forest over broken hill country — dhak, salai and acacia on the slopes, with grass and scrub between.
THE WILDLIFESloth bear
The sloth bear is the sanctuary's flagship: shaggy, long-clawed, largely nocturnal, and best looked for in the last light of the day.
How to spend an hour or two
Look for sloth bears
Go out at dusk with a forest guide, which is when the sloth bears leave cover to forage and when a sighting is realistically possible.
Walk the trails
Walk one of the marked trails through the dry forest, watching for bear diggings at termite mounds and for tracks in the stream beds.
Spot the birds
Bring binoculars for the birds — raptors work the ridges through the day and the winter migrant list is the strongest part of it.
See the hills
Climb to a viewpoint on the ridge for the long view over the Aravallis into Rajasthan, best in the clear air after the rains.
Visit the eco-camp
Stay at the eco-tourism camp rather than day-tripping; the wildlife here is active at dawn and dusk, not in the middle of the day.
Go in winter
Time the visit for November to March, when the weather is workable and animals concentrate around the remaining water.
Jessore’s Aravalli hills.
A hill wildlife sanctuary
The Jessore Wildlife Sanctuary protects rugged Aravalli hills on the Gujarat-Rajasthan border — a famed refuge for sloth bears, with leopard, antelope and rich birdlife in dry forests, monsoon waterfalls and an eco-tourism camp. Banaskantha’s wilder, greener side. (Permits/guides; best in winter.)
More places to visit across the district are gathered in our Banaskantha travel guide.
More of the same kind is gathered in wildlife across Gujarat.
A famed sloth-bear refuge
Rugged Aravalli hills
Leopard, antelope & birds
Eco-tourism camp & trails
When to go
Cool and pleasant — the ideal season.
Green hills and waterfalls.
Hot and dry — start early.
⏰ Visit in the cooler months; pair the temples of Ambaji with the hills and the Rann-edge at Nadabet.
Timings & entry
- Open in daytime hours
- Best in the cool season
- An easy Banaskantha stop
- Pair with nearby sights
- Permits/guides apply
- Best Nov–Feb
- Don't disturb wildlife
- Carry water & sturdy shoes
Getting there
By Air
Ahmedabad airport (~180 km).
By Rail
Palanpur Junction / Abu Road.
By Road
Ambaji / Palanpur.
At Jessore Sanctuary
WILD & HILLS
Realm of the sloth bear
What to shoot
Wildlife (with care).
Setting
Aravalli hills.
Detail
Birds.
Best light
Early morning.
Know before you go
More to see close by
PILGRIMGabbar Hill
The Goddess’s original seat, with a ropeway
TOWNPalanpur
Attar-scented district capital
SHAKTI PEETHAmbaji Temple
One of India’s 51 holy Shakti Peeths
NATUREBalaram-Ambaji
Forested hills rich in wildlife
Ambaji Shakti Peeth
One of India’s 51 holiest Goddess shrines
PALACEBalaram Palace
A regal heritage retreat near Palanpur
Where to eat near Jessore Sanctuary
THALINorth Gujarati Thali
Hearty regional meals.
FARSANDhokla & farsan
Steamed snacks.
STREETAmbaji prasad & street
Sweets & snacks.
Local fare
Simple North-Gujarat food; Ambaji sweets.
Jessore Sanctuary FAQ
What is Jessore Sanctuary?
The Jessore Wildlife Sanctuary protects a rugged stretch of the Aravalli hills in northern Banaskantha, along the border with Rajasthan, around the high peak of Jessore. Best known as one of Gujarat's important refuges for the sloth bear, the sanctuary's dry forests, hills and valleys also shelter leopard, hyena, wild boar, antelope, porcupine and a rich variety of birds.
Where is it?
near Amirgadh, Banaskantha.
Is there an entry fee?
Permit.
When should I visit?
October to March, in the cooler season.
What's nearby?
Ambaji, Kumbhariya, Balaram and Nadabet.
How long does it take?
Half a day.
Related places across Gujarat
Meshvo at Dawn
Dawn on a Gujarat reservoir — Meshvo at first light, when the Aravalli hills reflect gold…
BOATINGEkta Cruise
River cruises & a sea-plane to the statue
Charotar Shrines
Village temples of the prosperous belt
Unjha Umiya Mata
Sacred vavs across the district
RIVERGhela River
Sacred ghats flowing past Gadhada
JYOTIRLINGANageshwar
One of the twelve sacred Shiva Jyotirlingas
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026