Go bird-watching or hope you see a blackbuck leap. Head to Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary, a mere two-hour drive from Pune on the Pune-Solapur highway. It’s set on the backwaters of the Ujani dam and is a winter home for several migratory birds. You can spot the Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Spoonbill, Bar Headed Goose, Collared Pratincole and the Osprey. The sanctuary is also home to the fastest bird of the animal kingdom, the Peregrine falcon. There are hostels and hotels around to spend the night at too. If not Bhigwan, there are other spots you could go bird-watching at in and near Pune.
To see blackbucks leap, head to Rehekuri Blackbuck Sanctuary, one of the four blackbuck sanctuaries in India and the only one in Maharashtra. It’s a four-hour drive from Pune and has about 400 blackbucks swarming around. So, you’ll definitely spot several but you’ve got to be quiet and hope to watch their unique jump. There are accommodations within the sanctuary, or you can book a homestay or hotel in Karjat.
