Gujarat is the state in India with the greatest variety of wildlife due to its several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Little Rann of Kutch is home to intriguing antelopes, migrating birds, and Wild Ass. Little Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary has been home to more than 200 different bird species. The only remaining natural habitat for the powerful Asiatic Lions is the Gir National Park, which is part of the Indian Wildlife Circuit. Gir National Park is home to 300 different species of birds in addition to 38 different species of animals and reptiles, including Asiatic Lions. The leopard is a significant predator that has been seen in the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary.
See Grey Hypoculius close to Moti Virani in the Greater Rann of Kutch desert. The grasslands of Kutch are the best area to observe the endangered Indian Bustard. Gujarat has a relatively long coastline, and the Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary in Jamnagar is home to several bird species with thriving populations, including the Indian Skimmer, Great-crested Grebe, Caspian Tern, and Black-necked Stork. Wildlife enthusiasts may see herds of blackbucks, jungle cats, jackals, Indian fox, and other animals in Velavadar National Park. Gujarat is arguably the best location in India to see birds and mammals.
Day 1
Our tour guide will meet you at the airport in Mumbai and transport you to the hotel. Receive the travel documents and information following the welcome in India. Register at the hotel for a relaxing overnight stay. Get a good night’s sleep and plenty of rest to help you get over your jet lag before your wildlife excursion in Gujarat tomorrow.
Day 2
Take a flight to Ahmedabad in the morning, then drive directly to the Little Rann of Kutch Wild Ass Sanctuary from Ahmedabad. The endangered Asiatic Wild Ass, also known as the Gudkhur, is the main draw of the Little Rann of Kutch wildlife reserve.
You will get the opportunity to witness a variety of species on the safari, including the Indian Wolf, Nilgai, Indian desert foxes, Chinkara, Black Buck Antelope, and other mammals. The LRK is home to a wide variety of bird species, including the Mcqueen’s Bustard, Buttonquails, Indian Courser, Spoonbill, Falcon, and Aquila Eagles, among others.
Day 3
Take a second safari to Little Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary after breakfast to observe the population of Greater and Lesser Flamingos. European Roller, Common Crane, Marsh Harrier, Lesser Florican, Sighted Sandgrouse, Red-necked Phalarope, and other species have also been spotted in this area.
Take a trip to Nawa Talao (Lake) in the afternoon to see migratory and native birds of India, including Demoiselle cranes, White Storks, Dalmatian Pelicans, and Greater Hoopoe Larks. Visit the villages of Bharwad and Rabaris if you want to get to know the lovely locals. These Gujarati tribes are cow herders.
Day 4
Leave for Moti Virani in the Greater Rann of Kutch after breakfast. Meet the host when you arrive, then unwind in your room. Later, go on an excursion to the Banni Grasslands, one of the biggest grasslands in the nation and a popular location for wildlife and bird viewing.
A total of 39 different animal species call the grasslands home, including the Indian Flying Fox, Grey Mongoose, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, Caracal, Desert Cat, Common Leopard, Nilgai, Chinkara, Jackal, Wild Pig, and Wolf. More than 350 different kinds of resident and migratory birds call the Banni grasslands home.
Day 5
We will travel to Fulay in the early morning, before breakfast, in order to locate the Grey Hypocolius Branch, which is the top bird on birders’ checklists for the Greater Rann of Kuch. One of the rare locations in India where one may witness Grey Hypocolius is Fulay. We have a great possibility of spotting Sykes’s Nightjar en route. Return for breakfast at the house.
Visit the Bann Grasslands again during the day to see more than 304 Kutch birds and 38 species of particular importance. White-naped Tit, Macqueen’s Bustard, Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican (only during the monsoon), Marshall’s Iora, Hoopoe Lark, etc. are some more interesting species that have been observed here.
Day 6
Drive to Naliya Grassland today after breakfast to explore the Kutch Bustard Sanctuary, also known as the Lala Bustard Sanctuary and the Kachchh Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary. Rare species of Great Indian bustards, known locally as Ghorad, have found their ideal habitat on the plain of the wildlife reserve. There are just 1000 of these endangered Indian Bustards left in all of India. They are the heaviest flying birds.
Lesser floricans and Houbara bustards are the other two bustard species that can be seen here. Harriers, black partridges, sand grouses, larks, and occasionally migrating birds like imperial eagles may all be seen in the Kutch Bustard Sanctuary. The Indian wolf, jackal, striped hyena, desert cat, fox, and Chinkaras are among the other animal species that are frequently seen.
Day 7
After breakfast, depart from Moti Virani and check into Jamnagar by public transportation. After lunch, we visit the Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary in hopes of seeing the Indian Skimmer, which is the sanctuary’s major draw, as well as other species such the Caspian Tern, Common Teal, Great-crested Grebe, Knob-billed Duck, Black-necked Stork, cormorants, and darters, among others. In one season, the Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary has counted roughly 300 migrating birds. Both inland and offshore birds are well-known there. The Jackal, Blue Bull, Jungle Cat, Indian Hare, Wolf, and Snakes are among the many animal species that may be found in this area.
Day 8
Breakfast at the Jamnagar hotel. Visit islands like Pirotan Island and Narara Island, as well as the coastal areas next to the Gulf of Kutch, today to see a variety of birds that live there, including the Kentish Plover, Darter, Painted Stork, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Ruddy Turnstone, Crab-plover, Curlew Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, and Black-necked Ibis. Additionally, if you have the opportunity, visit Lakhota Lake, which is home to over 75 different bird species, including pelicans, flamingos, gulls, and ducks. After dinner, spent the night at the hotel.
Day 9
Check out after eating breakfast at the hotel. Get in your car and head to Gir National Park, the sole remaining habitat for Asiatic lions, today. Lunch should be consumed after checking in at the hotel. Later, enjoy a forest safari at Gir National Park’s interpretive area. The Hyena, Panther, Leopard, Chinkara, Sambhar, Blue Bull, Indian Deer, Long-Tailed Langur, and Chowsingha are the most prominent animal species in the park. A bird watcher’s heaven, Gir National Park is also.
Day 10
Get up early and go on a morning Jungle Safari to see a variety of wildlife that is mostly visible at this time of day. If you’re lucky, you could discover an Indian leopard while watching the actions of an Asiatic lion. The greatest time to see the birds is during the early excursion. After lunch, treat yourself to another jungle safari to view the stunning flora and animals of the national park. You may also go to the national park’s reservoir to see crocodiles and other aquatic creatures. You may interact with fascinating and vibrant cattle-herding tribes like the East African-derived Rabari and Siddi tribes.
Day 11
After breakfast, depart for Velavadar National Park from Gir. Along the route, you could see many wildlife creatures, including blackbucks, jackals, Indian foxes, and jungle cats. The 34 square kilometre Velavadar National Park is home to an endangered blackbuck herd.
In addition to blackbucks, the park is home to wolves, nilgais, jungle cats, jackals, and foxes. Numerous bird species, including flamingos, pelicans, painted and white storks, as well as some migratory birds, such the Stolizca’s Bushchat, may also be seen.
Day 12
Today, spend the morning in the Blackbuck National Park in Velavadar’s wildness with a naturalist and a jeep to photograph the blackbucks’ morning activity and try to spot one of the park’s most popular attractions, the harrier roost. You may read a book or just unwind during the day. After lunch, go on an evening safari to witness the creatures in Velavadar National Park. After a great meal at the lodge, retire for the day.
Day 13
You have the opportunity to attend a tour led by our naturalist after enjoying a leisurely morning meal at Velavadar. The trip will focus mostly on the port area, the area around the lake, and Victoria Park for bird watching. Following the bird viewing excursion, our driver will drop you off at the Bhavnagar airport so you may fly to Mumbai and then get an international aircraft to return home. Today marks the conclusion of Gujarat Wildlife Journey.
