The wildlife sanctuary boasts stretches of land covering an area of 765 sq km. After a litigation, the size was fixed at 444 sq km. Due to the desert climate of the Narayan Sarovar Wildlife Sanctuary, many animals that are spotted here have adapted themselves to the arid landscape, making it tough to spot them elsewhere. The main species that can be found here is the chinkara - an Indian gazelle. The sanctuary's vegetation includes desert thorn forest and scrub forest along with seasonal wetlands and dry savannah-type vegetation. Moreover, the sanctuary is home to about 252 flowering plants. It is a haven for birdwatchers who can sight more than 184 species of birds, including three types of bustards. Other animals that can be spotted include the caracals (African or Persian lynx), desert foxes, the endangered Indian wolf, spotted deer, wild boar and ratel or honey badger. The sanctuary takes it name from a village and a lake by the same name in Lakhpat.