Wildlife in Gujarat - Lions, Asses & Blackbuck

12 Nights / 13 Days

Overview

Embark on an exciting journey through Gujarat’s rich wildlife, starting in the charming coastal town of Diu. Here, you can relax on serene beaches and take in the stunning views of the Arabian Sea.Your adventure continues at Gir Forest National Park, also known as Sasan-Gir Wildlife Sanctuary. This park, one of the oldest in India, is the last refuge of the majestic Asiatic Lion. Enjoy thrilling safaris to see these incredible animals in their natural habitat.Next, visit Velavadar National Park in Bhavnagar District, formerly the grasslands of the Bhavnagar maharaja. Now called the Black Buck Sanctuary, this park has the highest concentration of Indian antelopes (Black Bucks) in the country.The journey then takes you to the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary in the Little Rann of Kutch, a unique salt-encrusted landscape that floods during the rainy season. This sanctuary is the only place in the world where you can see the rare Asiatic Wild Ass.Finally, conclude your tour in Ahmedabad. Here, you can explore the Calico Museum of Textiles, famous for its collection of antique and modern Indian fabrics. Immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture before heading off on your next adventure.This tour offers an unforgettable experience of Gujarat’s diverse wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural heritage.

Highlights

Beaches of Diu
Safari in Velavadar National to spot blackbuck and wolves
Safari in Gir Forest to spot Asiatic Lion
Safari in Dasada to see Wild Ass
Calico Museum
Sabarmati Ashram

Ahmedabad

Diu

Dasada

Sasangir

Velvador

Tour Route

Detailed Itinerary

Arrive Mumbai – Diu (By Flight)

Upon arriving at Mumbai International Airport, catch your connecting flight to Diu. When you land at Diu Airport, you’ll be greeted and taken to your pre-booked hotel.

Diu is a charming coastal town at the eastern tip of Diu Island, connected to Gujarat by a bridge. This picturesque town overlooks the Arabian Sea and is home to the historic Diu Fort, a 16th-century Portuguese stronghold complete with a lighthouse and old cannons, offering a glimpse into its colonial past.

Explore the beautiful St. Paul’s Church, a centuries-old baroque-style church that showcases the island’s rich architectural heritage. Nearby, visit the whitewashed St. Thomas Church, now the Diu Museum, where you can see intricate wooden carvings and religious artifacts.

Enjoy a relaxing overnight stay at your hotel in Diu, soaking in the serene coastal atmosphere.

Diu

Start your day with a delightful breakfast at the hotel.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You can relax on the beautiful beaches of Diu, soak up the sun, and explore the coastal charm of this peaceful town.

End your day with a comfortable overnight stay at your hotel in Diu, feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Diu – Sasangir (By Private Vehicle120 Kms 2 hrs Drive)

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel, then check out and depart by private vehicle for SasanGir. Upon arrival, check in at your pre-booked hotel.

SasanGir is renowned as the only forest reserve in Asia where you can see wild Asiatic Lions. This sanctuary is a prime spot for lion sightings, but it also hosts a variety of other wildlife, including Sambhar, Spotted Deer, Nilgai, and the unique Chausingha, the world’s only four-horned antelope. You may also spot crocodiles in the reservoirs and rivers flowing through the sanctuary, adding to the area’s rich biodiversity.

Relax and enjoy an overnight stay at your hotel in SasanGir.

Sasangir

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, set off on an exciting jeep safari in SasanGir National Park. This adventure offers the chance to explore the park’s diverse wildlife, with a special focus on spotting the majestic Asiatic lions. As the last remaining habitat for these lions, SasanGir provides a unique opportunity to see these incredible creatures in their natural environment.

Return to your hotel for lunch and some well-deserved rest.

In the afternoon, embark on another jeep safari to further explore the park and its inhabitants. Keep an eye out for other wildlife, including Sambhar, Spotted Deer, Nilgai, Chausingha, and crocodiles.

Wrap up your day with a relaxing evening and an overnight stay at your hotel in SasanGir.

Sasangir

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, set off on a thrilling jeep safari in SasanGir National Park to explore its diverse wildlife. While searching for the majestic Asiatic lions, you might also spot sloth bears, cobras, jungle cats, striped hyenas, golden jackals, mongooses, and palm civets.

Return to your hotel for lunch and a brief rest.

In the afternoon, embark on another jeep safari to further explore the park and increase your chances of encountering its varied inhabitants. The park’s rich biodiversity promises an exhilarating experience for wildlife enthusiasts.

Conclude your day with a relaxing evening and an overnight stay at your hotel in SasanGir.

Sasangir

Start your day early with a hearty breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, set off for a morning jungle safari in SasanGir Forest. As you explore, keep an eye out for the majestic Asiatic lions, as well as sloth bears, cobras, jungle cats, striped hyenas, golden jackals, mongooses, and palm civets.

Return to the hotel for a delicious lunch and a short rest.

In the afternoon, head out for local sightseeing in the jungle. Begin with a visit to Devalia Park, a protected area within the Gir Forest where you can observe wildlife in a more controlled environment. Next, visit the nearby waterfall and Nalsarovar Lake. At Nalsarovar Lake, you’ll have the chance to see a variety of rare bird species, including partridges, woodpeckers, sand grouse, cuckoos, bush quail, paradise flycatchers, eagles, parrots, and many more.

Conclude your adventurous day with a relaxing evening and an overnight stay at your hotel in SasanGir.

Sasangir – Velavador (By Private Vehicle 200 Kms 5 Hrs Drive)

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel, then check out.

Depart by private vehicle for Velavadar, making a stop at Lothal along the way. Once a bustling port city of the Indus Valley Civilization, Lothal is now home to a fascinating museum filled with artifacts from this ancient society.

Continue your journey to Velavadar. Upon arrival, check in at your pre-booked hotel.

In the afternoon, visit the Velavadar Black Buck Sanctuary, renowned as the best national park in India for viewing black bucks. Spanning 36 square kilometers, the sanctuary’s grasslands and scrubby plains are reminiscent of the African savannah. Besides black bucks, the park provides a habitat for the endangered Indian wolf, jackals, Indian foxes, jungle cats, blue bull antelopes, and hares. The park also attracts a wide variety of birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.

End your day with a relaxing evening and an overnight stay at your hotel in Velavadar.

Velavador

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, embark on a safari in Velavadar National Park, a vast stretch of flat grasslands. Here, you’ll encounter the famous Blackbucks, known for their speed and compact size, and the impressive Nilgais, the largest members of the antelope family. As you explore, keep an eye out for wolves, hyenas, and the hundreds of bird species that inhabit this unique grassland.

Return to the hotel for lunch and some relaxation.

In the evening, set out on another safari to further explore the park’s diverse wildlife and natural beauty. The sanctuary owes its existence to the conservation efforts of a former ruler of Bhavnagar district, who created this protected reserve for the Blackbuck, an animal historically hunted by both humans and predators.

End your day with a peaceful evening and an overnight stay at your hotel in Velavadar.

Velavador – Dasada (Bajana) (By Private Vehicle 190 Kms 4 Hrs Drive)

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel, then check out.

Depart by private vehicle for Dasada. Upon arrival, check in at your pre-booked hotel.

Dasada is situated on the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch, an extension of the Rann of Kutch into Saurashtra. This region is a paradise for bird watchers and is the only place in India where you can find the wild ass. The area features several excellent bird-watching sites, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and bird lovers alike.

Enjoy a relaxing overnight stay at your hotel in Dasada.

Dasada

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, embark on a jeep safari to explore the Little Rann of Kutch, one of the most unique landscapes in the world, covering an area of 4,954 sq. km. This fascinating region is home to the Wild Ass Sanctuary, established on January 12, 1973, to protect the Asiatic Wild Ass, or khur, one of the most endangered species in the world. The Little Rann of Kutch is also the 15th Biosphere Reserve in India, strategically located on bird migration routes and connected to the dynamic Gulf of Kutch.

During your safari, you’ll explore various habitats, including saline desert plains, rocky and thorn scrub, arid grasslands, plateaus, lakes, and marshes. These diverse environments provide ideal breeding grounds for large flocks of greater and lesser flamingos, as well as numerous other bird species. The sanctuary is also home to around 74 elevated plateaus or islands, locally known as bets.

In the afternoon, continue your jeep safari, visiting minority villages and experiencing the rich cultural diversity of the region.

Return to your hotel in the evening for a relaxing overnight stay in Dasada.

Dasada – Ahmedabad (By Private Vehicle 100 Kms 2 ½ Hrs Drive)

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel, then check out.

Depart by private car for Ahmedabad. Upon arrival, check in at your pre-booked hotel.

Ahmedabad, situated on the banks of the Sabarmati River, is the former capital of Gujarat. Known for its delicious food and vibrant culture, it is a rapidly growing tourist destination. The historic city, or the old part of Ahmedabad, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting its rich heritage and architectural marvels.

Enjoy a relaxing overnight stay at your hotel in Ahmedabad.

Ahmedabad

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed for a city tour of Ahmedabad, beginning with a visit to the Calico Museum. This museum showcases a magnificent collection of rare textiles dating back to the 17th century, offering a glimpse into the rich history of Indian fabrics.

Next, visit the Sidi Sayed Mosque, the last of the major mosques built under Mughal rule in Ahmedabad. The mosque is famous for its intricately carved jaalis (latticed screens) in the windows of the western wall, which have become a symbol of the city.

Continue to Jama Masjid, built in 1423 during the reign of Ahmed Shah I, the founder of Ahmedabad. This beautiful mosque, made of yellow sandstone, features intricate carvings typical of the period. Although the two principal minarets flanking the main arched entranceway collapsed in the 1819 earthquake, their lower portions still stand.

Next, visit the Gandhi Ashram, once the residence of Mahatma Gandhi. It was from here that Gandhi began his famous ‘Dandi March’ in 1930 to protest the Salt Tax imposed by the British.

Finally, visit the Hathi Singh Jain Temple, renowned for its architectural beauty and intricate carvings.

Return to your hotel for a relaxing overnight stay in Ahmedabad.