Jodhpur is one of Rajasthan’s great fort cities. Jawai is its wild counterpart: granite hills, open scrub, a large reservoir and leopards that live alongside local villages. Because Jawai lies between Jodhpur and Udaipur, you can add a private safari without backtracking.
Why combine Jodhpur and Jawai
- Balances fort and palace sightseeing with time in nature
- Breaks the Jodhpur–Udaipur journey with a memorable wildlife stop
- Private leopard safaris with local guides who know the hills
- An introduction to the Rabari way of life around Jawai
Jodhpur to Jawai: travel information
- By road: Jawai is about 3 hours by road from Jodhpur.
- By air: Jodhpur Airport (JDH) — about 170 km from Jawai.
- By rail: Jawai Bandh Railway Station (JWB) — about 10 km from the safari area; Falna Railway Station — about 35 km.
We arrange private chauffeured transfers from Jodhpur and onward. See all routes on How to Reach Jawai.
Suggested 2-day extension
Sample itinerary
This is a sample itinerary. We adjust timings, safaris and stay around your plans.
Day 1 — Jodhpur to Jawai
- Morning departure from Jodhpur by private car (about 3 hours)
- Check in and lunch
- Evening leopard safari
- Dinner at your stay
Day 2 — Morning safari and onward
- Early-morning leopard safari
- Breakfast
- Continue to Udaipur (about 2.5 hours) or return to Jodhpur
Private safari
Every safari is private — just your group, a local guide and a tracker. Drives run in the early morning and late afternoon, when leopards are most active. Sightings are frequent in Jawai but never guaranteed. Learn more about the Jawai leopard safari.
Accommodation
Choose from luxury camps among the hills, boutique heritage stays and premium hotels. We recommend the right fit for your group on our accommodations page.
Photography in Jawai
Leopards in Jawai are often seen on bare granite, giving uncluttered backgrounds and warm, low-angle light at the start and end of the day. In winter, the Jawai Dam adds birdlife such as flamingos, bar-headed geese and demoiselle cranes.
For extended time at sightings and mentoring, see the Wildlife Photography Expedition.
Itinerary idea: Jodhpur → Jawai → Udaipur
A popular way to see western Rajasthan is to travel south from Jodhpur to Udaipur with one or two nights in Jawai in between:
- Jodhpur — forts, old city and markets
- Jawai (1–2 nights) — private leopard safaris, Rabari villages, the Jawai Dam
- Udaipur — lakes, palaces and a slower finish to the trip
See the full route, including Jaipur, in our Rajasthan itinerary with Jawai.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Jawai from Jodhpur?
Jawai is about 3 hours by road from Jodhpur. Jodhpur Airport (JDH) is about 170 km from Jawai.
Is Jawai on the way from Jodhpur to Udaipur?
Jawai lies roughly between Jodhpur and Udaipur, so it fits naturally into a Jodhpur → Jawai → Udaipur route. Jawai to Udaipur is about 2.5 hours by road.
Do you arrange a private car from Jodhpur?
Yes. We arrange private chauffeured transfers from your Jodhpur hotel or Jodhpur Airport to Jawai, and onward to Udaipur or your next stop.
Is Jawai good for wildlife photography?
Jawai’s leopards are often seen resting on open granite, which gives clean backgrounds and warm light at dawn and dusk. In winter, the Jawai Dam also draws migratory birds. We also offer a dedicated Wildlife Photography Expedition.
How long should I stay in Jawai?
One night allows an evening and a morning safari. Two nights allow three to four safaris and a more relaxed pace, which we recommend for photographers.