The Margalla Hills National Park, is located in the foothills of the Himalayan range. This park is the most accessible park in Pakistan due to its close proximity to the national capital, Islamabad. It is an extention of the Islamabad wildlife sanctuary, which includes the Shakar Parian Hills and the Rawal Lake.

The park was setup to provide refuge to the Gray Goral, Barking deer and the Leopard, found in this area during winters. Protection to these animals have benefitted other unusual and interesting smaller animals as well.

Margalla Hills Park provides an excellent bird watching opportunity. A Cheer Pheasant hatchery has been established at Chak Jabri to raise captive Cheer pheasants that have become extinct in the hills. These are then released in the wild.

Wildlife:

Mammals in the park include the Asiatic leopard, Wild boars, Jackals, Rhesus Macaque, Leopard cats, Gray Goral sheep, Barking deer, Chinkara gazelle(rare), Red fox, Pangolin, Porcupines, Yellow throated marten and Fruit bats etc.

While commen Birds found in these parts are the Griffon vulture, Laggar falcon, Peregrine falcon, Kestrel, Indian sparrow hawk, Egyptian vulture, White cheeked bulbul, yellow vented bulbul, Paradise flycatcher, Black partridge, Cheer pheasant, Khalij pheasant, Golden oriole, Spotted dove, Collared dove, Larks, Shrikes, Wheatears and buntings.

Along with these mammals and birds some Reptiles are also found in this park. These may include Russells viper, Indian cobra and Saw scaled viper. One should not be take carefree strolls during the hot summer season when such reptiles are out in the open.

Margalla hills add to the beauty of Islamabad. With a picturesque continuety and well laid out trails, these hills provide excellent recreation to foreigners and locals alike.