Ahmedabad, Velavadar, Gir National Park, Jamnagar, Bhuj and The Little Rann of Kutch
Endangered Birds and Mammals of Gujarat - 300 Species in 2 Weeks
Overview
The Gujarat Birding and Wildlife Tour takes you to the best birding and wildlife destinations in the West Indian state of Gujarat, over a variety of unique landscapes. From grasslands to saline deserts, and wetlands, explore the myriad of habitats that Gujarat has to offer, and the rich biodiversity they support.
Velavadar Park lies inland from the Gulf of Cambay on the West coast of India. Created for the conservation of the Blackbuck, Velavadar is a tiny but unique grassland ecosystem. Birders can spot the White-browed (Stoliczka’s) Bush Chat, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Rufous-tailed, and Crested Larks, Desert and Variable Wheatears, Great Grey and Long-tailed Shrikes. Apart from harriers, other raptors to be seen include Black-winged Kite, Shikra, and Short-toed Snake Eagle. Common Crane and other waders can be spotted on the Alang River. The park has more than 1,000 Blackbuck that can be viewed on the open grassland from a very close range. The Indian Wolf and the Golden Jackal are the main predators in the park. Other mammals likely to be seen are Indian Hair, Indian Desert Gerbil, Leopard, Bengal Fox, Desert Fox, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, Desert Cat, Nilgai, Sambar, Spotted Deer.
Your next destination is Gir, located in southern Gujarat. The main reason to visit Gir is to see the Asiatic Lion, in its natural habitat. The latest census reports have counted 107 lions at Gir. Gir comprises diverse habitats – open scrub country, dry deciduous and tropical thorn forest, and an evergreen corridor along the riverside. More than 300 species of birds have been recorded. Changeable Hawk-, Crested Serpent, and Bonelli’s Eagles, Red-naped Ibis, Woolly-necked Stork, Rock Bush Quail, Painted Sandgrouse, Crested Treeswift, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Black-headed Cuckooshrike, Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Brown Fish Owl and Indian Eagle-Owl, and more are the key attractions.
Jamnagar is unique in that it is a spot where both saline and freshwater habitats are present. The whole area is also surrounding by a scrub forest and grassland patches. This wonderful mix of habitats means that not only do you see a wide variety of seashore and wetland birds in amazing numbers, but the area is also home to many scrub residents
Lying on the border of India and Pakistan, the Great Rann of Kutch is a fantastic birding hotspot, especially for arid-area migrants. Many of the birds found here are extremely rare in the rest of India, such as Marshall’s Iora, White-naped Tit, Grey Hypocolius, and more. In addition, the nearby Mandvi beach is a good place to look for seashore waders and other shorebirds.
The last destination is the Rann of Kutch. The southeast portion of the Rann called the Little Rann, is open to tourists. This unique region is astonishingly rich in birdlife; particularly in winter when millions of waterfowl, along with desert species, can be spotted. The entire 4950 sq kms of the Little Rann of Kutch, has been designated as the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary, as it is home to the rare and endangered “khur” – The Indian Wild Ass; not found anywhere else in the world. In winter the Little Rann is host to a variety of birds – almost 300+ species.
Meals: Dinner in Velavadar
Accommodation: Blackbuck Safari Lodge
Arrive at Ahmedabad airport in the late morning/noon/afternoon. You will be driven to Velavadar and check-in at the resort. Rest of the day birding outside the park (if time permits).
Overnight stay.
Key species: Pied Bush Chat, Siberian Stonechat, Zitting Cisticola, Plain Prinia, Jungle Prinia, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Rufous-tailed Lark
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Blackbuck Safari Lodge
Full-day birding in Velavadar with morning and afternoon safaris (you can also opt for safari by your car and stay inside the park for longer duration).
Overnight stay
Key species: Blackbuck, Golden Jackal, White-eyed Buzzard, Egyptian Vulture, Great Grey Shrike, Long-tailed Shrike, Bay-backed Shrike, Crested Lark
Meals: Breakfast in Velavadar, Lunch, and Dinner in Gir
Accommodation: Gir Birding Lodge
Morning drive from Velavadar to Gir National Park stopping en route for birding. Arrive in Gir for late lunch. Afternoon birding outside the park for birdwatching. You might get few animals outside the park.
Overnight stay
Key species: Asiatic Lion, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Indian Stone-curlew, Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Spotted Owlet, Indian Scops Owl
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Gir Birding Lodge
Full day birding in Gir National Park with morning and afternoon jeep safaris.
Overnight stay
Key species: Asiatic Lion, Golden Jackal, Indian Grey Mongoose, Oriental Darter, Western Osprey, Little Cormorant, Eastern Cattle Egret, Red-naped Ibis
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Gir Birding Lodge
Morning and afternoon jeep safaris in Gir National Park
Overnight stay.
Key species: Asiatic Lion, Leopard, Jungle Cat, Indian Golden Oriole, Crested Honey Buzzard, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Mottled Wood Owl, Jungle Nightjar, Woolly-necked Stork
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in Gir National Park, and Dinner in Jamnagar
Accommodation: Hotel President
Enjoy a final morning jeep safari in Gir National Park for wildlife viewing and birding. After lunch, drive to Jamnagar (6 hours). Arrive at Jamnagar in the evening.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Asiatic Lion, Leopard, Golden Jackal, Spotted Owlet, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Ashy Prinia, Long-tailed Shrike, Indian Roller, Black Drongo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel President
Visit coastal areas along the Gulf of Kutch, one of the finest birding stretches along the Indian coastline.
You are likely to see Crab-plover, Kentish Plover, Oyster Catcher, Ruddy Turnstone, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Sanderling, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Pallas' Gull, Temminck's Stint, Lesser-crested Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Common Tern, Little Tern, Black-bellied Tern, Whiskered Tern, Whiskered Tern, Darters, Western Reef Egret, and other birds could be seen on this route. Time permitting, walk to Lakhota Lake to watch Brown-headed Gulls and a variety of ducks.
Overnight stay
Meals: Breakfast in Jamnagar, Late Lunch, and Dinner in Bhuj
Accommodation: CEDO Camp or similar
After early breakfast, checkout and drive to Bhuj (07 hours). Arrive Bhuj for late lunch. Rest of the day birding to look for targets.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: CEDO Camp or similar
Full day birding in and around Bhuj. Visit Lala Bustard Sanctuary, Jakhau Mangrove Swamps, and Pingleshwar Sea Coast for Great Indian Bustard, White-browed Bush Chat, Indian Courser, Slender-billed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Eurasian Curlew and Eurasian Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, and more.
Overnight stay.
Note: Lala Bustard Sanctuary remains closed between 01 April and 31 October every year.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: CEDO Camp or Similar
The morning session will be at Fulay (Banni) for Grey Hypocolius
Proceed further to Chhari - Dhand Wetlands (Full Day) for Raptors, Wader, Ducks, Common Cranes, etc.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Royal Safari Camp or Rann Riders
After early breakfast, check out and drive to Little Rann of Kutch (07 Hrs). Arrive Little Rann of Kutch for Late Lunch. Rest of the day birding.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Indian Wild Ass, Nilgai, Desert Wheatear, Isabelline Wheatear, Short-eared Owl, Great Grey Shrike
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Royal Safari Camp or Rann Riders
Full day birding in Little Rann of Kutch with morning and afternoon jeep safaris.
Overnight stay
Key species: Indian Wild Ass, Nilgai, Common Crane, Bimaculated Lark, Isabelline Shrike, Pallid Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Peregrine Falcon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Le Grand Residency
Morning birding in Little Rann of Kutch. Afternoon drive back to Ahmedabad (3 hours). Arrive in Ahmedabad in the evening.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Indian Wild Ass, Macqueen’s Bustard, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Pallid Scops Owl, Sykes’s Nightjar, Bar-headed Goose, Greylag Goose
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and transfer to Ahmedabad airport for your connecting flight back home.
Highlights
- Great birding & mammal watching
- Wonderful photo opportunities
- Excellent mammal diversity such as Wild Ass, Asiatic Lion, Asian Leopard, Indian Wolf, Striped Hyena
- Varied landscapes
- Amazing road journeys
- Great food
- Unique accommodations
- Guided Tour
Included
- Accommodation for 02 nights in Velavadar 02 safaris in Velavadar with park entrance fee (by your vehicle)
- Accommodation for 03 nights in Gir 04 Safaris in Gir with park entrance fee (by private open top jeeps)
- Accommodation for 02 night in Jamnagar Khijadiya and Narara Sanctuaries visits with entrance fee
- Accommodation for 03 nights in Bhuj Local jeeps for birding safaris in Bhuj
- Accommodation for 02 nights in Little Rann of Kutch 02 safaris in LRK with park entrance fee (by private open top jeeps)
- Accommodation for 01 night in Ahmedabad Meals as per itinerary
- A dedicated birding guide in Gujarat Dedicated transport | All taxes
Video
Location
Stories
Ladakh
North India, the land of Ladakh, looks as though it was made for birdwatching and photography.
Gir National Park Gujarat
Sometimes it is not just the species spotted but also the amazing moments. Some of our guests had the unique opportunity to witness the mating of Asiatic Lions in the Gir Forest, truly a special moment.
Delhi
Surajpur is an amazing wetland close to the nation’s capital. Apart from being one of the monsoon homes for the Bristled Grassbird, it is also home to another sought-after species: the Bengal Bush Lark.
Rajasthan
One advantage of living near the birding hotspot of Bharatpur is that you can see some amazing birds, like the graceful Sarus Crane, in your backyard during this lockdown
