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The
Gir Birding Lodge is located in a large mango orchard at the
entrance to the Gir Wildlife
Sanctuary (Gujarat,
India).
Gir
National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary is a 1412 sq km tract
of dry deciduous forests, acacia scrub, evergreen and
semi-evergreen flora and grasslands, fed by rivers and
streams. Among the many water-bodies in the reserve is the
Kamleshwar Dam, known for its birdlife and for its large
crocodile population.
This
wildlife reserve is the last abode of the Asiatic lion and
is also known for its leopard population. Other mammals
that could be seen during game-watching drives are sambar
(
India
’s largest deer),
spotted deer, the world's only four-horned antelope, bluebull,
Indian gazelle, wild boar, langur, jackal, jungle cat,
rusty-spotted cat, striped hyena and black-naped hare.
Gir
is also interesting for birders with about 250 species on
the forest department checklist. For those interested in
herpetology, Gir has a crocodile breeding centre and is an
important habitat for mugger or marsh crocodile. Many species
of snakes and lizards can be seen in the sanctuary as also
fresh water turtles and terrapins at the rivers and possibly
the star tortoise.
Geared-up
for birders and other nature lovers, the lodge has
knowledgeable resident naturalists to take guests for birding
walks and excursions, a natural history library and
arrangements for game-watching drives in the sanctuary
GETTING
THERE
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Flights
to
Rajkot
&
Bhavnagar
from where it is a four-hour drive to Sasan Gir.
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Trains
to Junagadh from where there are buses and taxis to Gir.
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Ahmedabad
is 7 hours away and is also an international airport.
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Transport
can be arranged at an extra cost.
Distances
: Rajkot - 160kms & Diu - 130 km Junagadh - 65 kms,
Veraval - 60 kms, Ahmedabad - 360 kms.
Sasan
Gir is visited as an Ex-Ahmedabad Weekend Getaway or as a part
of a Gujarat Itinerary.
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