Lal Suhanra National Park

Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan

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Lal Suhanra National Park, located near Bahawalpur in Punjab, Pakistan, is a vast and ecologically diverse sanctuary that blends desert, forest, and wetland ecosystems into one remarkable landscape. Spanning over 162,000 acres, it’s one of South Asia’s largest national parks and a UNESCO-declared Biosphere Reserve. What makes Lal Suhanra truly special is its biodiversity.

The park is home to over 300 species of birds, 50 species of mammals, and 25 species of reptiles. Signature wildlife includes blackbucks, chinkara gazelles, nilgai, desert hares, and even Indian rhinos—some of which were gifted by Nepal in the 1980s. Birdwatchers can spot everything from flamingos and pelicans to kingfishers and vultures, especially around Patisar Lake and the wetlands fed by the Desert Branch Canal.

The park’s terrain is equally varied: sand dunes, irrigated plantations, and reed-fringed lakes create a mosaic of habitats. Visitors can enjoy camel and horse rides, boating, a lion safari, and educational trails. There’s even a children’s park and a motel for overnight stays.