The thickly forested, wildly beautiful, 250-sq-km Darrah National Park is about 50km south of Kota, accessed from the Jhalawar road. Once a royal hunting ground, its wildlife includes spotted deer, sloth bears, sambars, leopards and antelopes. The sanctuary is sometimes closed during the monsoon (usually from early July to mid-September).
You need permission to visit from the local forest ranger; otherwise, contact the District Forest Office near the Kota tourist office. If all else fails, ask at the tourist office itself, where they should be able to provide you with information and guide costs and organise a 4WD and driver.
