This trip is a fascinating introduction to some of north-west India’s lesser known wildlife in Mahatma Gandhi’s home state, Gujarat.
On this itinerary you may see Asiatic lions, wild ass and flamingos as well as endemic blackbuck, and endangered animals, like the Indian wolf. Visiting Little Rann of Kutch, Sasan Gir and Velavadar National Parks, this is a substantially less trodden route, so you are unlikely to have to share these beautiful reserves with others.
For more inspiration, read Brian Wood's blog on his trip to this fascinating state.
Suggested Itinerary
Day1: Depart UK
Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Mumbai.
Days2-3: Arrive Mumbai, fly to Bhavnagar & transfer to Little Rann of Kutch
On arrival at Mumbai, transfer to the domestic terminal and connect to a flight to Ahmedabad. It's then about a three hour drive northwest to your accommodation near Little Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary.
After a morning vehicle safari, you'll have an early breakfast and transfer to Gondal. The journey takes approximately five hours, stopping for lunch en route. Visit Gondal Lake and then check in at your hotel for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: The Orchard Palace, 1-night
Days5-7: Sasan Gir National Park
After an early lunch or taking a picnic lunch with you, transfer to Sasan Gir. In the afternoon you enjoy your first jeep safari in the national park.
After a final morning vehicle safari, you’ll drive to Bhavnagar where you’ll board a flight back to Mumbai and transfer to the international terminal for your onward flight to the UK.
Day11: Arrive UK
Please note: New regulations in India’s national parks mean that safaris must be booked and paid in advance on a first-come, first-served basis. As places are limited, we recommend you book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Key info
Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 11 daysfrom £3,245 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 9 daysfrom £2,495 pp
Single supplement:
On request – please contact us.
Velavadar is a peaceful sanctuary consisting of 35 square kilometres of savannah. Set between two rivers just inland from the Gulf of Khambhat, the park is home to a couple of thousand endemic blackbuck. In former times these handsome antelopes were protected for hunting trips of the Maharajas of Bhavnagar.
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Where: Gujarat State
Ideal for viewing: houbara bustard, Indian wolf, jackal, jungle cat, sarus crane
This wildlife sanctuary is a vast expanse of saline desert, which in the monsoon becomes a network of islands. Known as the last remaining home of the Asiatic wild ass, it is a conservation success story, with a population of over 2,000. Birdlife is rich, and the area is an official Ramsar site.
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Where: Gujarat State
Ideal for viewing: Asiatic wild ass, blackbuck, Indian gazelle, jungle cat, nilgai
Sasan Gir National Park preserves the remaining population of critically endangered Asiatic lion, whose territory once extended as far afield as Persia. The terrain is one of arid, rocky hills separated by deep, well-watered valleys, with beautiful stands of teak, acacia and dhak trees interspersed with grassy plains.
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Suggested accommodation options are shown below.
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On the edge of Velavadar National Park – home to the endangered Indian wolf - lies the luxurious Blackbuck Lodge. With 14 elegant cottages dotted around a central lake, the lodge offers unparalleled views of birds, butterflies and mammals in the surrounding savannah.
Find Out More about Blackbuck Lodge
With breathtaking views across the Hiran River and scenic forest surroundings, this hotel is just a short drive from Sasan Gir National Park, home to around 400 Asiatic lions. There is a choice of superior rooms, and executive or deluxe suites, all of which are spacious and offer modern amenities.
Find Out More about Gateway Hotel Gir Forest
The family-run Rann Riders is situated close to one of India’s largest reserves, the Little Rann of Kutch, which is a sanctuary for the endangered Asiatic wild ass. Consisting of 22 cottages set amidst wetlands and agricultural fields, the eco-lodge and its surrounds are a birdwatcher’s paradise.
Find Out More about Rann Riders