Endangered Birds and Mammals of Gujarat – 300 Species in 2 Weeks















































































































































13 Nights

INDIA

November to mid-March
ITINERARY
Meals: Dinner in Velavadar
Accommodation: Blackbuck Safari Lodge
Arrive at Ahmedabad airport in the late morning / noon / afternoon. You will be drive to Velavadar and check-in at the resort. Rest of the day birding outside the park (if time permits).
Welcome to Ahmedabad! Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our representative at the airport. From here, embark on a scenic drive to Velavadar National Park, 150+ km away. The drive takes around 4 hours, passing through picturesque landscapes and rural villages. On arrival, check into your lodge and settle in. The afternoon will be spent on a leisurely walk around the lodge's vicinity to get a feel of the local flora and fauna.
Velavadar, also known as Blackbuck National Park, is a unique grassland ecosystem renowned for its population of Blackbucks. In the evening, enjoy your first safari in the park. The open grasslands provide excellent opportunities for photography, with the setting sun casting a golden hue over the landscape. Keep an eye out for the Blackbuck, the park's star attraction, as well as Nilgai, Indian Wolf, and various bird species like the Montagu's Harrier.
Return to the lodge for a sumptuous dinner. Your guide will brief you on the next day's activities and share interesting facts about the park and its wildlife. Retire to your room for a restful night's sleep, ready for a full day of exploration tomorrow.
Overnight stay.
Expected Key species: Among the notable birds are Montagu's Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Common Crane, Short-eared Owl, Sykes's Nightjar, Black-shouldered Kite, Indian Bushlark, Greater Flamingo, Sociable Lapwing, Eurasian Marsh Harrier, White-bellied Minivet, and Indian Courser. The park is equally renowned for its mammals, including Blackbuck, Nilgai (Blue Bull), Indian Wolf, Golden Jackal, Indian Fox, Jungle Cat, Striped Hyena, Indian Hare, Wild Boar, and Small Indian Civet.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Blackbuck Safari Lodge
Today, you will have the entire day to explore the wonders of Velavadar National Park. Start with an early morning safari, the best time to observe wildlife. The park's flat grasslands and saline wetlands create a unique habitat that supports a diverse range of species. Besides Blackbuck, you may spot Indian Fox, Jungle Cat, and Striped Hyena.
After a hearty breakfast at the lodge, take a mid-morning break to relax and review your morning's photographs. Your guide will offer tips on improving your chances and insights into the behavior of the animals you’ve encountered. In the afternoon, head out for another safari, focusing on different areas of the park to maximize your chances of seeing a variety of wildlife. Bird watchers will be delighted with the many species present, including raptors like the Pallid Harrier and Steppe Eagle.
The evening is free for you to explore the lodge's surroundings or join an optional night walk to spot nocturnal creatures (if permitted). Dinner will be served at the lodge, followed by a session to discuss the highlights of the day and prepare for your journey to Gir National Park tomorrow.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast in Velavadar, Lunch and Dinner in Gir
Accommodation: Gir Birding Lodge
After breakfast, you will depart for Gir National Park, home to the last remaining population of Asiatic Lions. The drive is approximately 300 km and takes around 6-7 hours. En route, you will pass through the scenic countryside, with opportunities to stop and stretch your legs or take photographs of the landscape.
Upon arrival at Gir, check into your forest lodge and freshen up. In the late afternoon, embark on your birding outing outside Gir National Park. Gir is not only famous for its lions but also boasts a rich biodiversity that includes a variety of bird species such as the Crested Tree Swift and Mottled Wood Owl. The dense deciduous forests and open scrublands provide a dramatic backdrop for wildlife photography.
Return to the lodge for dinner, where your guide will summarize Gir’s conservation efforts and the park’s significance in preserving the Asiatic Lion. After a day of travel and excitement, relax and prepare for more wildlife adventures in the coming days.
Overnight stay.
Expected Key species: Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Great Hornbill, Painted Sandgrouse, Indian Pitta, Paradise Flycatcher, White-backed Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, Oriental Honey-buzzard, Jungle Bush Quail, and Indian Eagle Owl. Mammals to watch for are Asiatic Lion, Leopard, Chital (Spotted Deer), Sambar Deer, Nilgai (Blue Bull), Chinkara (Indian Gazelle), Four-horned Antelope (Chousingha), Wild Boar, Indian Pangolin (rare), and Ruddy Mongoose.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Gir Birding Lodge
Start your day with an early morning safari in Gir National Park. The best chance to see Asiatic Lions is during these early hours, when they are most active. Your guide will help you track these magnificent creatures, providing insights into their behavior and habitat. Besides lions, you may also spot Leopards, which are relatively common in Gir, along with a variety of herbivores like Chital, Sambar, and Nilgai.
After the morning safari, return to the lodge for breakfast and some relaxation. In the afternoon, take another safari to explore different areas of the park. Gir's diverse ecosystem supports a wide range of bird species, making it a paradise for bird watchers. Look out for the critically endangered White-backed Vulture, the majestic Changeable Hawk-Eagle, and colorful Indian Rollers.
In the evening, there will be a session to review your photographs and discuss the day’s sightings. Your guide will share tips on capturing the best shots and provide information about the park’s flora and fauna. Enjoy a delicious dinner at the lodge, followed by a good night’s sleep.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Gir Birding Lodge
Today, you will have another full day to explore Gir National Park. Begin with a morning safari, continuing your quest to see the Asiatic Lions and other wildlife. The park’s diverse habitats, ranging from dense forests to open grasslands, offer a variety of photographic opportunities. Your guide will help you find the best spots to observe and photograph the wildlife.
After returning to the lodge for breakfast, you will have some free time to relax or explore the lodge’s surroundings. In the afternoon, head out for your final safari in Gir. Focus on areas you haven’t explored yet, or revisit spots where you had good sightings previously. Bird watchers should keep an eye out for the Great Hornbill and the striking Paradise Flycatcher.
The evening will be spent reviewing your photographs and discussing the highlights of your time in Gir. Your guide will offer feedback and tips to improve your wildlife photography skills. Dinner will be served at the lodge, followed by a restful night’s sleep, preparing for your journey to Jamnagar tomorrow.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast in Gir National Park, Lunch and Dinner in Jamnagar
Accommodation: Hotel President
Enjoy final morning safari in Gir National Park. After breakfast, depart for Jamnagar, a city known for its beautiful bird sanctuaries and marine life. The drive is approximately 250 km and takes around 5-6 hours. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and freshen up. In the evening, birding in surrounding areas (if time permit).
Your guide will brief you on the next day’s activities, focusing on the birdlife and marine ecosystems of Jamnagar. Enjoy a good night’s sleep, ready for a day of bird watching and exploration tomorrow.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel President
Today, you will have a full day to explore the birding hotspots of Jamnagar. Start with an early morning visit to the Narara Marine National Park, one of the few places in India where you can walk on the coral reefs during low tide. This unique experience allows you to observe and photograph a variety of marine life, including crabs, starfish, and octopuses.
Narara Marine National Park offers a unique opportunity to explore coral reefs and marine life. Bird species commonly observed here include Western Reef Heron, Great Egret, Crab Plover, Terek Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Greater Crested Tern, Lesser Crested Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Osprey, White-bellied Sea Eagle, and Common Greenshank. The marine environment is home to various starfish, crabs, octopuses, sea anemones, and corals.
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, Temmincks Stint, Lesser-crested Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Common Tern, Little Tern, Black-bellied Tern, Whiskered Tern, Whiskered Tern, Darter, 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.
In the evening, enjoy a leisurely walk around the lake or explore the city’s markets. Dinner will be served at your hotel, followed by a review session of the day’s photographs. Your guide will provide feedback and tips to enhance your bird photography skills. Rest well, as you prepare for your journey to Bhuj tomorrow.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast in Jamnagar, Late Lunch and Dinner in Bhuj
Accommodation: Infinity Resort
After an early breakfast, depart for Bhuj, the gateway to the Rann of Kutch. The drive is approximately 300 km and takes around 6-7 hours.
En route, you will pass through interesting landscapes and rural villages, offering opportunities for photography and cultural exploration.
Upon arrival in Bhuj, check into your hotel and freshen up. In the late afternoon, visit the nearby Banni Grasslands, a unique ecosystem known for its rich biodiversity. The grasslands are home to a variety of bird species.
Return to your hotel in the evening for dinner. Your guide will brief you on the next day’s activities, focusing on the birdlife and unique landscapes of the Rann of Kutch. Enjoy a good night’s sleep, ready for a day of exploration tomorrow.
Overnight stay.
The Banni Grasslands, known for their rich biodiversity, host several bird and mammal species. Bird watchers may spot Hoopoe Lark, Desert Wheatear, Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Indian Courser, Cream-colored Courser, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Laggar Falcon, and Steppe Eagle. Mammals may include Chinkara (Indian Gazelle), Indian Wolf, Golden Jackal, Desert Fox, and Indian Hedgehog.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Infinity Resort
Full day birding in and around Bhuj. Visit Lala Bustard Sanctuary, Jakhau Mangrove Swamps, and Pingleshwar Sea Coast for 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.
A day spent birding in and around Bhuj offers a rich tapestry of habitats and species. Your journey begins at the Lala Bustard Sanctuary early morning. The sanctuary's grasslands and scrublands are also home to the White-browed Bush Chat and Indian Courser, among others. As the sun rises, the soft light provides excellent photography opportunities, capturing these birds in their natural habitat. A mid-morning break with a packed breakfast allows you to review your sightings and prepare for the next leg of your adventure.
Then you head to the Jakhau Mangrove Swamps, a vital coastal ecosystem. The mangroves, teeming with life, attract a variety of waders and shorebirds, including Slender-billed Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Eurasian Curlew, and Eurasian Whimbrel. The high tide brings these birds closer, making them easier to observe and photograph. Smaller waders like Ruddy Turnstone, Curlew Sandpiper, and Dunlin can also be spotted, adding to the diversity of your birding experience. Enjoy a leisurely lunch in the shade of the mangroves, taking in the peaceful surroundings and abundant birdlife.
In the late afternoon, you travel to the Pingleshwar Sea Coast. This coastal area is renowned for its tidal flats and beaches, which provide feeding grounds for numerous shorebirds. Here, you can expect to see Eurasian Whimbrels and Curlews, as well as Slender-billed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls soaring above the waves. The late afternoon light casts a golden hue over the coastline, enhancing your photography of species like Dunlin and Curlew Sandpiper. As the sun sets, you drive back to Bhuj, reflecting on the day’s diverse sightings and reviewing your photographs. This full day of birding immerses you in the rich avian biodiversity of Gujarat, offering insights into the unique habitats and conservation efforts of the region.
Overnight stay.
Note: Lala Bustard Sanctuary remains closed between 01 April and 31 October every year.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Infinity Resort
Proceed further to Chhari - Dhand Wetlands (Full Day) for Raptors, Wader, Ducks, Common Cranes etc.
Today, you will have a full day to explore the Banni Grasslands and the Chhari-Dhand Wetland Conservation Reserve. Start with an early morning visit to the grasslands, where you can expect to see a variety of bird species, including the Grey Hypocolius, Desert Wheatear, Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark, and the striking Hoopoe Lark. The open grasslands provide an excellent opportunity to capture these birds in their natural habitat. Your guide will help you understand the unique ecosystem of the Banni Grasslands and the conservation efforts in place.
After a morning of birding, return to your hotel for breakfast and some relaxation. In the afternoon, you will head to the Chhari-Dhand Wetland Conservation Reserve, a crucial habitat for migratory birds. The wetlands attract a variety of species, including Flamingos, Pelicans, and numerous species of ducks and waders. Your guide will assist in identifying these birds and provide insights into their migratory patterns and behaviors. This area is a haven for bird photographers, offering countless opportunities to capture stunning images.
Chhari-Dhand Wetland Conservation Reserve, a vital stopover for migratory birds, offers sightings of Common Crane, Demoiselle Crane, Greater Flamingo, Spoonbill, Pied Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Northern Pintail, Eurasian Wigeon, Garganey, and White-tailed Lapwing.
In the evening, enjoy a leisurely walk around the wetlands or explore the nearby villages to get a glimpse of the local culture and traditions. Dinner will be served at your hotel, followed by a review session of the day’s photographs. Your guide will offer feedback and tips to enhance your sightings, helping you to prepare for the next day's adventure in the Little Rann of Kutch.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Rann Riders
Today, you will drive from Bhuj to the Little Rann of Kutch, a unique saline desert landscape that offers a stark contrast to the grasslands and wetlands you have explored so far. The drive takes around 6 hours. Upon arrival, check into your accommodation and have lunch.
In the late afternoon, go for birding with your guide. This area is famous for the Indian Wild Ass, a species found only in this region. The vast open landscape also supports a variety of other wildlife, including Desert Foxes, Indian Wolves, and numerous bird species such as the Greater Flamingo, Common Crane, and various raptors. The wide-open spaces and dramatic light provide excellent conditions for photography.
Your guide will brief you on the unique ecology of the Little Rann of Kutch and the conservation efforts in place to protect its wildlife. This evening, enjoy the tranquility of the desert and prepare for another day of exploration in this fascinating landscape.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Rann Riders
Spend the entire day exploring the diverse habitats of the Little Rann of Kutch. Start with an early morning safari to catch the wildlife during their most active period. The unique saline desert environment supports a wide range of species, and your guide will help you track and photograph the Indian Wild Ass, Desert Foxes, and other inhabitants of this harsh landscape.
After breakfast, you will have some time to relax and review your morning's photographs.
In the afternoon, head out for another safari, focusing on the birdlife of the region. The wetlands and seasonal water bodies attract a variety of species, including flamingos, pelicans, and numerous shorebirds. Bird watchers will be thrilled with the diversity and abundance of species present.
The evening will be spent at your accommodation, where you can review the day's photographs with your guide. Dinner will be served, and you can enjoy a peaceful night under the stars, reflecting on the unique experiences of the day. Prepare for your return journey to Ahmedabad tomorrow.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, (Lunch and Dinner on own)
Accommodation: Hotel The Ummed
Morning jeep safari in Little Rann of Kutch.
After a leisurely breakfast, you will depart for Ahmedabad, bringing your wildlife and birding adventure to a close. The drive takes around 3 hours. Upon arrival in Ahmedabad, check into your hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure, exploring the city or relaxing at the hotel.
In the evening, you can visit some of Ahmedabad's cultural sites, such as the Sabarmati Ashram or the bustling local markets, to experience the city's vibrant culture. At your hotel, you can enjoy dinner and share your favorite memories and photographs from the trip with your fellow travelers.
Your guide will provide final tips and feedback on your photography, helping you to continue improving your skills. Enjoy your last night in India, reflecting on the incredible journey you've had through some of the country's unique and diverse landscapes.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
Today marks the end of your bird watching, wildlife viewing, and photography tour in India. After breakfast, our team will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.
Take with you unforgettable memories, stunning photographs, and a deeper appreciation for the incredible biodiversity and cultural richness of India.
Safe travels and hope to see you on another adventure soon.