North-west India’s Rare Mammals

Typical Itinerary

1. Day 1: Depart the UK

   We take a scheduled flight to Mumbai, arriving late at night on the same day.

2. Day 2: Fly to Ahmedabad, travel by road to Velavadar

   Early this morning we take a connecting flight to the city of Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat. From here we continue by road to Velavadar National Park, home of blackbuck, Indian wolf and striped hyena, where we take an evening safari.

   Accommodation: The Blackbuck Lodge, 2-nights

3. Day 3: Explore Velavadar National Park

   We have a full day to explore the golden grassland of Velavadar. Huge herds of blackbuck are the park’s most famous attraction but this is also one of the best sites in the country for seeing Indian wolf and striped hyena, in addition to Indian fox, jungle cat, Asian golden jackal and nilgai. In winter the reserve hosts one of the world’s largest roosts of Montagu’s, pallid and western marsh harriers.

4. Days 4-6 : Explore the Little Rann of Kutch

   The Little Rann of Kutch is a remarkable wilderness of semi-desert and saltpans and is home to the last population of khur, the South Asian subspecies of Asiatic wild ass. Also here it is possible to see both desert and Indian foxes, striped hyena, Asian golden jackal, jungle cat, blackbuck, nilgai and chinkara. In winter this is also an outstanding area for birds, with concentrations of raptors, including steppe eagle, eastern imperial eagle and short-toed eagle.

   Accommodation: Rann Riders Camp, 3-nights

5. Days 7-8 : Explore Jawai Leopard Conservation Reserve

   Jawai Leopard Conservation Reserve, in the state of Rajasthan, has recently shot to fame for its confiding leopards, which inhabit the reserve’s dramatic rock outcrops and caves. With dedication it is also possible to see some of Jawai’s other rare mammals, including rusty-spotted cat, jungle cat, desert wildcat and striped hyena.

   Accommodation: Bera Safari Lodge, 2-nights

6. Day 9: Safari around Jawai, travel to Phalodi

   Following our last morning safari in search of leopards and other mammals in Jawai, we travel to the town of Phalodi, allowing us to witness the astonishing spectacle of thousands of demoiselle cranes being fed the next morning in the neighbouring village of Khichan.

   Accommodation: 4-star hotel, 1-night

7. Day 10: Demoiselle crane spectacle at Khichan, continue to Desert National Park

   Early this morning we travel the very short distance to the village of Khichan where, since the 1970s, devout Jain people have fed demoiselle cranes through the winter. Attracted by the bounty, the cranes now number many thousands.

   From here we travel on to our luxury camp outside Desert National Park, making our first visit to the park in the afternoon.

   Accommodation: Prince Desert Camp, 2-nights

8. Day 11: Explore Desert National Park

   We have a full day to explore Desert National Park in search of its special wildlife. This is perhaps the best site in India for desert wildcat, in addition to desert and Indian foxes. Other highlights here include chinkara, collared hedgehog, Indian wolf and striped hyena.

9. Day 12: Fly from Jaisalmer to Mumbai, relax in an airport hotel, fly to the UK arriving the following day

   This morning we travel by road to Jaisalmer and fly from here to Mumbai. Since our flight to the UK does not leave until the evening, arriving the following day, we have use of rooms in an airport hotel in Mumbai.

10. Day 13: Arrive UK