Bishnoi Village Safari Jodhpur
Bishnoi Village Safari, Jodhpur
The Bishnoi villages lie 20 to 25 km outside Jodhpur, and the reason to visit them is not scenery. The Bishnoi are a community founded in 1485 by Guru Jambheshwar, who set out twenty-nine principles – bish and noi, twenty and nine – of which several require the protection of trees and animals. They have kept them for five centuries, which makes this arguably the oldest living conservation tradition in the world.
The consequence is visible the moment you arrive: blackbuck and chinkara grazing unbothered within metres of people, in open country, because here nothing hunts them. That does not happen anywhere else in Rajasthan.
Safari at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | Half day, 3 to 4 hours |
| Distance from Jodhpur | 20 to 25 km |
| Best time | Early morning or late afternoon, when wildlife is active |
| Covers | Bishnoi village, Salawas weaving village, Guda Bishnoi lake, farmland |
| Wildlife | Blackbuck, chinkara, desert fox, nilgai, peafowl, migratory birds in winter |
| Vehicle | Jeep or private AC car depending on the route |
| Season | October to March; winter mornings are best for birdlife |
| Booking | 25% advance confirms the vehicle |
The Khejarli Massacre
In 1730 the Maharaja of Jodhpur sent men to fell khejri trees near the village of Khejarli to fire lime kilns for a new palace. A Bishnoi woman, Amrita Devi, placed herself against a tree and refused to move. She was killed. So were her three daughters, and then, one after another as they came forward, 363 Bishnois who put their bodies between the axes and the trees.
When word reached the Maharaja he stopped the felling and issued a decree protecting Bishnoi villages from tree cutting and hunting in perpetuity. The site is about 25 km from Jodhpur and there is a memorial there. It is the event that explains everything else you will see on this trip.
What the Safari Covers
A Bishnoi household. A visit to a home in the village, usually including tea, and a conversation about the twenty-nine principles and what keeping them involves in practice. Opium has a traditional ceremonial role in some households in this region; we do not include or arrange it.
Wildlife on open ground. Blackbuck are the main draw – the males turn near-black with age and carry spiral horns. Chinkara, desert fox, nilgai and peafowl are all common. Early morning and late afternoon are when the animals move.
Salawas. A weaving village where families make dhurries on pit looms, often using camel and goat hair as well as cotton. You can watch the weaving and buy directly from the weaver.
Guda Bishnoi lake. A small artificial lake where animals come to drink at dawn and dusk, and where migratory birds – including demoiselle cranes – stop in winter.
Potters and farmers. Depending on the route, a potter’s wheel, a mustard or millet field, and the opportunity to see dryland farming that works without much water.
How to Visit Without Making It a Zoo
- Households are visited by arrangement and paid for their time. This is a visit, not a drive-through.
- Ask before photographing anyone. The guide will ask for you.
- Keep your distance from the wildlife. The blackbuck are unafraid because they are unmolested; approaching them closely teaches them otherwise.
- Buy from the weaver, not a showroom – if you want a dhurrie, Salawas is where it was made.
- Small groups. Four to six people works; a convoy does not.
Combining the Safari
The Bishnoi safari is a half day, so it pairs naturally with Jodhpur city sightseeing – Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, the blue city lanes and Umaid Bhawan – on the same day, or with the drive to or from Udaipur.
See our Udaipur to Jodhpur taxi page for the transfer, places to visit in Jodhpur, or Rajasthan taxi service for multi-day routes.
Fares and Vehicles
Our published 2026–27 per-kilometre rates:
| Vehicle | Seats | Best for | Per km rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan (Swift Dzire, Etios) | 4 | Couples, solo travellers | ₹12/km |
| Ertiga / Toyota Innova | 6 | Families with luggage | ₹16/km |
| Innova Crysta / Hycross | 7 | Comfort on longer drives | ₹18–20/km |
| Tempo Traveller | 12–17 | Group travel | ₹30/km |
| Force Urbania | 9–14 | 1×1 luxury seating | ₹35/km |
| Mini Bus / AC Coach | 21–45 | Large groups | On request |
Included: fuel, driver allowance, state tax and toll.
Not included: parking, monument entry fees, and extra night halts beyond the agreed plan.
Payment: 25% advance to confirm; balance by cash, UPI or card at the end of the trip.
Call +91 86193 15547 to confirm the current rate for your date before you book.
How to Book
- Send the details. WhatsApp or email your date, pickup time, pickup address, passenger count and luggage.
- Get the quote. We reply with the vehicle and the fare, including any state permit charge if the route leaves Rajasthan.
- Confirm. A 25% advance holds the vehicle; Indian guests by bank transfer or UPI, international guests by PayPal or Wise.
Frequently Asked Questions: Bishnoi Village Safari
Who the Bishnoi are, what wildlife you will see, and the best time to go.
Who are the Bishnoi?
What happened at Khejarli in 1730?
What wildlife will I see on a Bishnoi village safari?
How far are the Bishnoi villages from Jodhpur?
What is the best time of day for the safari?
What is Salawas known for?
Is the opium ceremony part of the tour?
Can the safari be combined with Jodhpur sightseeing?
What should I bring?
How do I book a Bishnoi village safari?
Book Your Bishnoi Village Safari
Send your date, group size and whether you want morning or afternoon.
Call +91 86193 15547 | Email rajasthanonwheeltours@gmail.com