8 Wonderful Wildlife Sanctuaries In Bhutan All Nature Lovers Must Visit

21 Jun 2023

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What differentiates a traveler from any other human being is the zeal to explore a new place, a new species or a new food dish every day. Nobody can deny the fact that visiting a wildlife sanctuary is an interesting experience; whether it’s enjoying nature’s bounty in the forests, exotic animals or just sitting by the pristine lakes. And you can find some of these awesome wildlife sanctuaries in Bhutan itself, which are known for the rare flora and fauna of the region.

Top 8 Wildlife Sanctuaries Of Bhutan

Read about the 8 best wildlife sanctuaries in this beautiful country and decide which one to visit during your time here.

1. Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary

It is located in the Trashigang District, and hence, is known for housing the easternmost ecosystems and landscapes of Bhutan. It is one of the most popular options for both tourists and locals for many reasons! One of these is the eastern blue pine, a typical coniferous evergreen which is a rare find and grows only in mountain valleys such as the Himalayas. Blue poppy is the national flower of Bhutan and it looks stunning during the spring season. Talking about the fauna, the Black-rumped magpie, known as one of the smartest birds also thrives in this ecosystem! According to rumors, there are many unique creatures such as yeti, the abominable snowman.

Best time to visit: March to August
Distance from Thimphu: 340 km
How to reach: It can be easily reached from Sakteng village in eastern Bhutan

Must Read: 10 Best Resorts In Bhutan For Luxury And Budget Travelers

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2. Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary

Of all the wildlife sanctuaries of Bhutan, Bumdeling is a popular one and is situated in North-Western Bhutan and covering a huge expanse spanning more than 1500 sq km and 420 sq km of a buffer area. This quiet sanctuary shares borders with Tibet in China as well as the north-eastern regions of India. You will be faced with too many security checks when you enter the sanctuary because of the many endangered species that it houses such as the red panda which is seen as a very calm and sluggish creature that spends 14 to 18 hours on trees and eat twigs at all times of the day.

Best time to visit: March to October
Distance from Trashigang: 140 km
How to reach:
By Air: Paro Airport (581 km away)
By road: Cab or self-drive

3. Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary

The most popular national park in the South-eastern region of Bhutan, this place was earlier known as Khaling Neoli and shared boundaries with Assam. It is the smallest protected reserve in the country in terms of area and is spread over an area of 335 square kilometres. Of the many reasons that one may find to visit this place, one of the most popular highlights is the rare Pygmy Hog, which in fact, lures thousands of visitors from around the world to visit this park. We are sure you are already wondering how many national parks are there in Bhutan!

Best time to visit: March to May and late-August to November

4. Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary

What was originally established to preserve the natural sal forests of the country has now become one of the most popular tourist attractions here. Located in the southern part of Bhutan with a shared border with Assam in India, Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan is home to numerous animals such as Golden Langurs, Gaur, Asian Elephants etc. The most special aspect about this park is spotting the Chital Deer (Spotted Deers). Apart from animals, one will also come across many birds such as the hornbill.

Best time to visit: March to June and September to November
Distance from Sarpang: 150 km
How to reach:
Nearest Airport: Paro Airport (54 km away)
By road: Cab or self-drive

5. Royal Manas National Park

Also referred to as Bhutan’s Crown Jewel and the oldest protected area in the country, this park was upgraded to the status of a national park in 1993. This national park spreads over such a huge area that it reaches India’s Manas Tiger Reserve which is a very important place to spot biodiversity in the nation. This is the best wildlife sanctuary in Bhutan if you want to spot the endangered Royal Bengal tiger, one of the most popular subspecies of tigers. You would be able to spot other animals such as the Asian elephant, one-horned rhinoceros, Himalayan black bear, clouded leopard, pangolin, and the Ganges dolphin if you’re lucky!

Best time to visit: August to November, April to May
Distance from Gelephu: 80 km
How to reach:
Nearest Airport: Paro
By road: Cab or self-drive

6. The Jigme Dorji National Park

This is known for being the largest national park in Bhutan and for being named after the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The park is so huge that it covers 5 Bhutanese districts of Thimpu, Paro, Wangdue Phodrang, Punakha, and Gasa. In fact, to imagine the expanse of the park; one can look at the difference in the altitude from the highest point to the lowers which is more than 5000 meters. The differences in climate and altitude account for a striking variance in the species found here. For instance, the snow leopard can be found in the glacier peaks like Mount Jomolhari along with other animals such as tigers, Red Panda, and Himalayan Blue Sheep.

Best time to visit: February to May, August to November
How to reach:
Nearest Airport: Paro Airport
By road: Cab or self-drive

7. Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park

Jigme-Singye-Wangchuck-National-Park_19th oct

Also known as Bhutan National Park, this is the second largest national park in terms of area after Jigme Dorji National Park. However, it is relatively more isolated with fewer households in the area. The wildlife found in both these parks in Nepal is more or less similar though such as the golden langur, the red panda, and the Royal Bengal tiger.

Best time to visit: March to August
How to reach:
Nearest Airport: Paro Airport (59 km)
By road: Cab or self-drive

8. Phrumsengla National Park

Phrumsengla National Park in Bhutan established in 1998, is one of the beautiful Bhutan wildlife sanctuaries. Open all year round, the park attracts visitors throughout the year. It is a great sanctuary to spot wildlife and indulge in adventure activities. The park offers great routes for trekking during the months of October and November when the weather is pleasant and dry. The pretty rhododendron can be enjoyed during the months of April to June. Due to the rugged landscape and fauna and flora, the park is a great place for nature excursions, wildlife spotting, trekking, and hiking. Add it to your list of places to visit in the country, as it is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Bhutan.

Best time to visit: April to June
How to reach:
Nearest Airport: Bathpalathang Airport (63 km)
By road: Cab or self-drive

Further Read: 10 Best Restaurants In Paro For A Yummy Scrummy Bhutanese Palette

There are many more national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Bhutan apart from the ones mentioned in the list above. Plan a trip to Bhutan, one of the happiest countries in the world, and get a chance to visit some of the most popular wildlife hotspots here!

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Frequently Asked Questions About Wildlife Sanctuaries In Bhutan

How many wildlife sanctuaries does Bhutan feature?

There are many wildlife sanctuaries in Bhutan with the likes of Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary, Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary, Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary, Royal Manas National Park, The Jigme Dorji National Park, Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, Phurmsengla National Park and many more.

How far is the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary is from Thimpu?

The entire distance of the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary from Thimpu is 340 kilometers. Not only is the Wildlife Sanctuary mesmerizingly beautiful but it has a wide variety of birds including black-rumped magpie and many more.

What is the best time of Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan?

You will have a marvellous time in Bumdelling Wildlife Sanctuary if you visit Bhutan between March and October. The sanctuary is located 140 km from Trashigang and you can reach there easily from Paro via a flight.

Which animal can you find in the Jomon Sangkha Wildlife Sanctuary in Japan?

You will get to witness Pygmy Hog that is quite rare in the world in the Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary in Japan. Numerous visitors come to the sanctuary to view that cute animal every year.

What is the perfect time to visit Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan?

Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan is located 54 km away from the Paro international airport and is best enjoyed between March to June or September to November.

Which animals can be seen in the famous Royal Manas Park?

You can witness wild animals like Royal Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, Himalayan black bear, Ganges dolphin and pangolin can be seen in the Royal Manas Park in Bhutan.

Why is the Jigme Dorji National Park in Bhutan famous?

Not only the Jigme Dorji National Park in Bhutan covers five districts and it is located at an altitude of 5000 metres. You will get to witness animals like Red Panda, tigers and Himalayan blue sheep in the National Park.

How far is Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park from Paro?

The distance between Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park and Paro airport is 59 kilometers.