Ahmedabad, Nal Sarovar, Velavadar, Gir National Park, Jamnagar, Bhuj, Little Rann of Kutch
Gujarat Birding Tour with Gir National Park and Little Rann of Kutch
Overview
The Western India grasslands, deserts, and wetlands provide some of the most spectacular birding sights in the country, with a fine selection of exciting mammals as well – including the only remaining wild population of Asiatic Lion in the world. Add to this the vibrant and colourful culture and heritage, from the traditional village life of Kutch to the 5,000-year-old remnants of Indus Valley civilisation, and it all makes for an unforgettable visit.
Starting from Ahmedabad, our first halt is the bird-rich wetland of Nal Sarovar before we reach the extensive grassland of Velavadar National Park. In winter one of the most spectacular sights is the evening harrier roost. The selection of mammals will include large herds of Blackbuck and a reasonable chance of Wolf and Striped Hyena. Birds include Common Crane, Dalmatian Pelican, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Painted Francolin, many larks including Ashy-crowned, Rufous-tailed and huge flocks of Greater Short-toed and Bimaculated, as well as the rare Stoliczka’s Bushchat.
From there we go to Gir National Park, the only site remaining now in India for the endangered Asiatic Lion. The local population is currently doing well with an estimated 600 lions, and we also have a reasonable chance of seeing a Leopard. Birds here include Mottled Wood Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Jungle Nightjar, Painted Sandgrouse, Indian Pitta, Red-naped Ibis, Red-headed Vulture, Short-toed Snake Eagle and Barred Buttonquail.
A change of scene and wildlife awaits us at Jamnagar, where sites such as Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary and Narara and Pirotan Islands will show us thousands of flamingos and hopefully large flocks of one of our main targets here, Crab Plover. Lakhota Lake in the city attracts large flocks of gulls, with the chance of an Indian rarity.
The vast salt desert of the Greater Rann of Kutch is our next main destination. This unique region is astonishingly rich in birdlife, particularly in winter when large numbers of waterfowl, along with desert species, can be seen. Many of the specialities found here are extremely rare in the rest of India, such as Marshall’s Iora, White-naped Tit, Grey Hypocolius, and more.
Despite the name, the Little Rann of Kutch is also a vast arid landscape, transforming from desert to saltmarsh to wetlands depending on the season, and another of India’s prime birdwatching destinations. This is home to the Asiatic Wild Ass, or Khur, and has been declared as the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary. We’ll be looking for MacQueen’s Bustard, Indian Courser, Long-legged Buzzard, and Greater Hoopoe-Lark in the drier areas, with cranes, flamingos, and pelicans amongst the large flocks of wildfowl and waders of the wetlands.
Meals: on own
Arrive at Ahmedabad Airport in the morning, where you will be warmly received by our representative and transferred to the hotel for an overnight stay at Hotel Lemon Tree.
Meals: Breakfast in Ahmedabad, (Lunch on own) and Dinner in Velavadar
After breakfast, check out and proceed to Nal Sarovar (01 hour / 63 km) for further exploration. Engage in a captivating birdwatching experience, capturing the beauty of the feathered inhabitants against the serene backdrop of the lake. After birding, continue your drive to Velavadar (approximately a 3–4-hour drive).
Upon arrival, check in at Blackbuck Wildlife Safari Lodge and take some time to relax. In the evening, head out for birding in the surrounding areas outside the park, offering good opportunities to spot grassland species.
Return to the lodge for an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Full day dedicated to birding in Velavadar, with morning and afternoon safaris inside the national park. Explore the unique grassland ecosystem, known for its open landscapes and excellent opportunities to observe a wide variety of bird species along with other wildlife such as Blackbuck and Nilgai.
Meals: Breakfast in Velavadar, lunch and dinner in Gir
After an early breakfast, depart by road from Velavadar to Gir National Park (approximately 5–6 hour’s drive).
Arrive in Gir by early afternoon and check in at Gir Birding Lodge, followed by a late lunch. After some time to relax, head out for birding in the surrounding areas outside the park, exploring the region’s diverse habitats.
Return to the lodge in the evening for an overnight stay at Gir Birding Lodge.
Morning and afternoon safaris in Gir National Park, exploring its diverse habitats and searching for a wide range of wildlife.
Gir features a varied landscape of dry deciduous forests, acacia scrub, and open grasslands, supported by rivers and reservoirs. This rich ecosystem is renowned for its unique wildlife and high biodiversity, offering excellent opportunities for both birding and mammal sightings.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch in Gir and dinner in Jamnagar
Enjoy a final morning jeep safari in Gir National Park, making the most of the early hours for wildlife viewing and birding.
After lunch, depart by road for Jamnagar (approximately 6 hour’s drive). Arrive in Jamnagar by evening and check in at Hotel President.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Visit the coastal areas along the Gulf of Kutch, one of the finest stretches along the Indian coastline, known for its rich marine and birdlife. Explore the diverse habitats along the coast, offering excellent opportunities for birding and observing a variety of species.
Return to Hotel President for an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast in Jamnagar, lunch and dinner in Bhuj
After an early breakfast, depart by road for Bhuj (approximately 8 hours’ drive), passing through varied landscapes of Saurashtra and Kutch.
Arrive in Bhuj by early afternoon and enjoy a late lunch. Thereafter, transfer to CEDO Camp.
In the afternoon, proceed for a half-day excursion to Fulay (Banni grasslands) and Chhari-Dhand wetlands, both renowned for their rich birdlife and unique habitats.
Return to the camp in the evening for an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Full day dedicated to birding around Bhuj, exploring a variety of habitats in the region.
Visit the Pingleshwar sea coast and nearby areas, which offer excellent opportunities to observe coastal and desert bird species.
Continue birding in surrounding habitats, taking in the unique landscapes of Kutch and its rich avifauna.
Return to CEDO Camp in the evening for an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Visit the tropical thorn forest of Chaduva Reserved Forest, exploring its unique habitat known for supporting a variety of dryland bird species and wildlife. Spend time walking through the forest and scanning different microhabitats for sightings.
In the evening, proceed to Pakhdo Hill for further exploration of the thorn forest ecosystem, offering additional opportunities for birding in a scenic setting.
Return to CEDO Camp for an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Proceed for a full-day excursion to Mandvi, traveling via Roha Kotda and Gadhsisa, with en route stops at Poladia—an important vulture site - and Topen Sar wetland for birding opportunities.
Continue to the coastal areas of Mandvi, exploring the shoreline and surrounding habitats known for their diverse birdlife and scenic beauty.
After a rewarding day in the field, return to CEDO Camp in the evening for an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast in Bhuj, (lunch on own) and dinner in LRK
After an early breakfast, depart by road for the Little Rann of Kutch (approximately a 7-hour drive), passing through rural landscapes and changing terrain.
Arrive at Rann Riders in the late afternoon and check in at your lodge. The Little Rann is a unique saline desert ecosystem, known for its vast open expanses and excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, including species specially adapted to this habitat.
Overnight stay at Rann Riders.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Morning excursion into the Little Rann to visit the best—elevated islands within the salt desert covered with scrub and grasslands. These unique habitats provide excellent opportunities for birding and wildlife viewing, including species adapted to this harsh environment.
In the evening, visit Nawa Talao, a seasonal lake that attracts large flocks of cranes and a variety of wintering waterbirds, offering rewarding birding opportunities in a scenic setting.
Return to Rann Riders for the night.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch in LRK (Dinner on own)
Morning birding in the surroundings of the lodge, exploring its unique saline desert habitats and surrounding grasslands for a variety of species.
After Lunch, depart by road for Ahmedabad (approximately 3 hour’s drive). Arrive in Ahmedabad by evening and transfer to Hotel The Ummed.
You will have a few hours to rest and freshen up before your onward departure, or overnight stay at the hotel, depending on your flight schedule.
Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, at a time appropriate to your flight schedule, you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport. Our representative/driver will ensure a smooth and timely transfer, assisting you with your departure arrangements as required.
You will then connect with your onward flight back home, bringing your memorable journey through Gujarat and its diverse landscapes to a close.
Tour ends.
Highlights
- 15-Day Gujarat Birding & Wildlife Expedition covering Ahmedabad, Nal Sarovar, Velavadar, Gir, Jamnagar, Bhuj, Kutch, and the Little Rann of Kutch.
- Birdwatching at Nal Sarovar, one of Gujarat’s important wetland habitats.
- Full-day birding and wildlife safaris in Velavadar National Park, famous for Blackbuck, Nilgai and grassland birds.
- Explore Gir National Park, home to the Asiatic Lion and a diverse range of birds and mammals.
- Morning and afternoon jeep safaris in Gir across dry deciduous forests, scrublands and grasslands.
- Coastal birding along the Gulf of Kutch, exploring rich marine and coastal habitats around Jamnagar.
- Discover the diverse bird habitats of Kutch, including Banni grasslands and Chhari-Dhand wetlands.
- Birding at Fulay and Chhari-Dhand, renowned for their rich avifauna and unique landscapes.
- Explore the Pingleshwar coast for coastal, desert and dryland bird species.
- Birding in Chaduva Reserved Forest and Pakhdo Hill, exploring Gujarat’s tropical thorn forest ecosystem.
- Visit Poladia, an important vulture site, with opportunities to observe vultures and other raptors.
- Explore Mandvi and its coastal habitats, combining birding with scenic landscapes.
- Experience the unique Little Rann of Kutch, a vast saline desert ecosystem supporting specialised wildlife.
- Birding around the bets of Little Rann, elevated islands surrounded by salt flats, scrub and grasslands.
- Visit Nawa Talao, a seasonal wetland attracting cranes and wintering waterbirds.
- Explore multiple ecosystems including wetlands, grasslands, dry forests, thorn forests, saline desert and coastal habitats.
- Excellent opportunities for bird photography and wildlife observation throughout the expedition.
- Spot iconic Gujarat wildlife, including Asiatic Lion, Blackbuck, Nilgai and diverse bird species.
- Scenic overland journey through Saurashtra and Kutch, showcasing Gujarat’s changing landscapes and habitats.
Included
- Accommodation on twin / Single sharing basis Meals as per the itinerary
- Flight by plane Flight and transfer to the hotel
- All safaris and birding as per the itinerary All airport & surface transfers by a private air-conditioned car
- Dedicated Birding guide of Asian Adventures Park entrance fee | All taxes
