Overview
The Gujarat birding & Wildlife Tour takes you to the best birding & wildlife destinations in the West Indian state of Gujarat.
Velavadar Park lies inland from the Gulf of Cambay on the West coast of India. Created for the conservation of the Blackbuck, Valavedar is a tiny 35sq kms but unique grassland ecosystem. Valavedar is of interest to birders because of the huge roost of about 2000 harriers, which is formed every winter. (Oct to early Feb). The dominant species is Montagu's. Another rare sight ( June to Oct) is that of the lesser Florican, which migrate and settle here to breed in the grasslands. Birders can spot the Stoliczka’s Bushchat, Ashy- crowned sparrow lark, Rufous-tailed, and crested Larks, Desert and Variable wheatears, Southern Grey and Rufous–tailed Shrikes. Apart from the Harrier, other raptors to be seen could include Black-shouldered Kite, Shikara, and Short-toed Snake Eagle. Common Crane and other waders can be spotted on the Alag River. The park has more than 1,000 Black Buck that can be viewed on the open grassland from very close range. The wolf and the jackal are the main predators in the park. Other mammals likely to be seen are Bengal fox, Black–naped Hare, Indian Desert Gerbil, Jungle cat, and Nilgai.
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. 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. Changable Hawk, Crested serpent, and Bonneli’s Eagle, Black Ibis, Wooley-necked Stork, Rock Bush Quail, Painted Sand Grouse, Crested Tree Swift, Greater Rocket-tailed Drongo, Black headed Cuckooshrike, Asian Paradise-Flycather, Brown, Fish and Great Horned Owls; Pygmy Woodpecker, Black Headed Oriole and Indian Pitta are the chief attraction.
The last destination is the Kathiawar Peninsula in Gujarat State. A large portion of this low-lying peninsula accumulates water and gets converted into a vast swamp during the monsoons. As it dries in the winter sun, it becomes a desert like expanse of dry silt, interspersed by lagoons and small islands with vegetation called “bets”. This is the Rann of Kutch. The South East portion of the Rann called the Little Rann, is open to tourists. This unique region is astonishingly rich in bird life; 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.
Departures
Any day of the week. Best time for this tour is from October to May.
Itinerary
Day 1: Velavadar
Arrive at Ahmedabad airport and depart by surface for Velavadar (140 km / 3 hrs approx.). Arrive Velavadar National Park and check into the lodge. In the afternoon, visit Velavadar National Park, mainly for the elegant Black Buck antelopes. We will have good opportunities to photograph Black Bucks sparring. Other mammals which we may encounter are jungle cat, jackal, and Indian fox, Indian wolf and striped hyena. One very interesting aspect of Velavadar is the roosting site of harriers; up to 2000 harriers have been recorded here together at dusk.
Day 2: Gir National Park
Morning game drive into the Sanctuary accompanied by a local guide. Later depart by surface for Sasan Gir (220 kms / 5 hrs drive approx) . Arrive Sasan Gir in the evening and check into the lodge.
Day 3 & 4: Gir National Park
Two days to explore Gir, where we avail a total of 2 park drives each day to maximize our chances of wildlife viewing and birding. Best known for the last remaining population of Asiatic Lions, Gir is also one of the finest reserves to see Leopards. Some of the birds found here include the Indian Jungle Nightjar, Mottled Wood Owl, Rock Bush Quail, White-bellied Minivet, Painted Sandgrouse, Black Ibis, Rufous-fronted Prinia & Crested Hawk Eagle. Overnight at Gir Birding Lodge.
Day 5: Bhuj
This day we do along drive to Bhuj with some birding opportunities en route (430 kms / 9 hrs drive approx.). Arrive Nakhatrana in the evening and check in to the lodge.
Day 6 & 7: Bhuj
Two full days birding in Bhuj with your bird guide. The area around Bhuj offers very good birding, both in the desert landscapes and along its sea coastline. The Grey Hypocolius, the sole member of its family, over winters can be seen here. The White-naped Tit, Indian-endemic Marshall’s Iora, Sykes’s Lark, , Indian Eagle-Owl, the Painted Sandgrouse and White-bellied Minivet are some of the others seen in this region. Also on the visit to the sea shore should see the Lesser Sand Plovers, the Crab-Plover, the Bar-tailed Godwit, Little Tern and Heuglin’s Gull.
Day 8: Rann of Kutch
Early morning birding at Bhuj looking for species we may have missed out and later drive to Little Rann of Kutch (325 kms/7 hrs drive approx.). Arrive Little Rann of Kutch and check in to the lodge. Evening game drive into the Wild Ass Sanctuary.
Day 9: Rann of Kutch
Full day to explore LRK. Morning and evening visits the Wild Ass Sanctuary by exclusive jeeps, some of the other mammals besides the Wild Ass, we hope to see are the Desert Fox & Indian Wolf. The star birds here are the wintering McQueen’s Bustard, Sykes Nightjar, Greater Hoopoe Lark, Indian Courser, White tailed & Sociable Plovers, Great White & Dalmatian Pelicans, Demoiselle Cranes and raptors like the Pallid & Montagu’s Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Imperial, Tawny & Greater Spotted Eagles.
Day 10: Ahmedabad
Morning visit the sanctuary for the species we may have missed out. Afternoon depart by surface for Ahmedabad (100 kms / 2 hrs drive approx.) to board your flight. Tour ends.
Price
USD 2100 per person (based on minimum 2 persons travelling). Please mail us for larger group rates.
Inclusions
Exclusions
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