Offers

Gujarat Bird Watching Itinerary(9 Nights)

Ahmedabad, Velavadar, Sasan Gir, Jamnagar, Nakhatrana, Dasada, Ahmedabad

for Bird Watcher, Inbound Traveller

Holiday Overview

White Cheeked Bulbul
Short Eared Owl
Shikra
Painted Stork
Large Cormorant
Indian Roller
Hoopoe
Godwit
Lesser Flamingos in Kharagoda Lake
Dalmatian Pelican in Kharagoda
Common Crane in Nava Talao
Brown Shrike
Black Winged Stilt
Black Winged Kite
Avocet
Fulary Area part of Chhari Dhand Wetland Reserve
Chestnut Bellied Sandgrouse
Common Crane
Indian Reef Heron
Indian Redstart
Common Sandpiper
Marsh Harrier
Flamingos in Chhari Fulary Lake
Purple Sunbird
White Napped Titi
Blue Throat
Black Winged Stilt
Black Headed Myna
Bay Backed Shrike
Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark
Red Tailed Wheatear
Red Vented Bulbul
Indian Roller
Southern Grey Shrike
Small Minivet
Rosy Starling
White Throated Munia
White Napped Tit
White Cheeked Bulbul
Variable Wheatear
Striolated Bunting

Gujarat Bird Watching Itinerary is a classic bird watcher itinerary that covers all major bird watching destinations in Gujarat (Velavadar, Sasan Gir, Greater Rann of Kutch, Jamnagar and Little Rann of Kutch).

Route

Velavadar(1) - Sasan Gir(2) - Jamnagar(2) - Nakhatrana(2) - Dasada(2)

Summarised Itinerary
  • Day-1 Arrive at Velavadar
  • Day-2 Morning Safari At Velavadar. Velavadar - Sasan Gir.
  • Day-3 Morning and Evening Safari at Sasan Gir
  • Day-4 Morning Safari. Travel from Sasan Gir - Jamnagar
  • Day-5 Narara Island Visit or Visit Salt Pans around Jamnagar
  • Day-6 Jamnagar - Nakhatrana. Visit Banni Grasslands
  • Day-7 Visit Greater Rann of Kutchh and Bird watching areas around Nakhatrana
  • Day-8 Nakhatrana - Dasada
  • Day-9 Bird Watching around Dasada
  • Day-10 Departure
Sightseeing Summary

Dasada - Little Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary (10.00 kms), Bird Watching at Nalsarovar (70.00 kms)

Jamnagar - Lakhota Fort (5.00 kms), Marine National Park at Narara Island (60.00 kms)

Velavadar - Bird Watching and Wildlife at Velavadar (1.00 kms)

Preferred Arrival /Departure Destination
Arrival - Ahmedabad Departure - Ahmedabad
Best Season to Travel
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Popular Extensions to the Itinerary

Guests looking to explore Sasan Gir further for Asiatic, Lions, Leopards and Marsh Crocodiles may spend an additional night there.

Distances
  • Ahmedabad to Velavadar -145 kms (2.5 hrs)
  • Velavadar to Sasan Gir -216 kms (4.5 hrs)
  • Sasan Gir to Jamnagar -200 kms (4 hrs)
  • Jamnagar to Nakhatrana -329 kms (6 hrs)
  • Nakhatrana to Dasada -360 kms (7.5 hrs)
  • Dasada to Ahmedabad -95 kms (1.5 hrs)
Route

Ahmedabad - Velavadar(1) - Sasan Gir(2) - Jamnagar(2) - Nakhatrana(2) - Dasada(2) - Ahmedabad

Detailed Itinerary

Day-1 Arrive at Velavadar Arrive at Ahmedabad and proceed to Velavadar (145 kms - 3 hrs). Time permitting visit Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary enroute before reaching Velavadar. Velavadar lies on the Ahmedabad - Bhavnagar highway and renowned for its population of Blackbucks. Prominent birds around the area comprise Sandgrouse, harrier roost, lesser florican and larks.

Day-2 Morning Safari At Velavadar. Velavadar - Sasan Gir.  Early morning safari exploring Velavadar and proceed to Sasan Gir (220 kms - 4 hours), abode of Asiatic Lions and considered excellent for bird watching. The park checklist has 250 birds and about 50 other species (including the endangered lesser florican and the saras crane) are recorded in the grasslands along the periphery of the sanctuary. Evening Safari in Gir.

Day-3 Morning and Evening Safari at Sasan Gir Sasan Gir has number of areas / wetlands that offer excellent Bird watching opportuniteis. Undertake safaris (morning and evening) for exploring different areas of the park.

Day-4 Morning Safari. Travel from Sasan Gir - Jamnagar Early Morning Safari. Proceed to Jamnagar (200 kms - 4 hrs). Jamnagar is renowned for its Salt Pans / Marine Sanctuary and lakes around that are a bird watchers delight. Visit Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary (10 kms) in evening.

Day-5 Narara Island Visit or Visit Salt Pans around Jamnagar Early morning drive 2 hours west from Jamnagar to Narara Island, one of India's best sites for Crab-plover. Other option is to Visit areas around Jamnagar good for bird watching (Dichda, Bardia Sanctuary, Lakhota Lake).

Day-6 Jamnagar - Nakhatrana. Visit Banni Grasslands Proceed to Nakhatrana (310 kms - 5.5 hrs) around noon. Nakhatrana is a the base point to visit Bird watching, craft villages and pilgrimage areas in Kutch. Visit Banni Grasslands in evening. Banni Grasslands bordering the Great Rann of Kutch are renowned for a wide variety of birds and an exclusive bird watching experience.

Day-7 Visit Greater Rann of Kutchh and Bird watching areas around Nakhatrana Visit Greater Rann of Kutchh and Bird watching areas around Nakhatrana, The area is good for large birds (Flamingos, Storks, Cranes etc.), Raptors and rare birds such as white naped tit, Grey Hypocolius etc.

Day-8 Nakhatrana - Dasada Proceed early for Dasada (360 kms - 6.5 hrs). Dasada, part of Little Rann of Kutch is a bird watching destination at 90 kms from Ahmedabad. The Little Rann of Kutch Wildlife sanctuary spreads over 4950 sq km in area comprising a range habitats from saline desert plains, arid grasslands, rocky and thorn scrub to lakes and marshes.

Day-9 Bird Watching around Dasada Explore Bird Watching around Dasada. Nawa Talao lake, the wetland near Patdi fort and many reservoirs of Surendranagar district offer good winter birding opportunities. Birds like rose-coloured starling and green pigeon are often seen at Dasada village.

Day-10 Departure Depart for Ahmedabad. Enroute visit Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary. Rann Riders is 44 km from Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, a 105 sq km sanctuary comprising a large lake and its surrounds. Nalsarovar is renowned as one of the finest birding places in Western India.

Detailed Sightseeing

Dasada :

  • Little Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary - The Little Rann of Kutch Wildlife sanctuary spreads over 4950 sq km in area comprising a range habitats from saline desert plains, arid grasslands, rocky and thorn scrub to lakes and marshes. The sanctuary is known for its herds of the Asiatic Wild ass (one of its kind) alongwith population of gazelle, blue bull, wolf, and Indian foxes, jackal, jungle cat, hare etc. However it is now a hugely popular bird watching site with a number of birding sights where one can see birds such as bustard, sandgrouse, partridge, bustard quails, larks, eagle, short toed eagle, vulture, falcon, flamingoes, pelicans, ducks, cranes and storks etc. Oct-April is best time to spot migratory birds. Nawa Talao and Kharagoda Lakes are popular for bird watching.

  • Bird Watching at Nalsarovar - The Nalsarovar bird sanctuary comprises a lake of about 100 sq kms, where you can view flamingoes, pelicans, geese, cranes, storks, ibises, spoonbill, wading birds, swallows, fishing eagles, osprey, harriers and other migratory birds (more than 250 varieties duering Nov - March). One can hire country boats on the lake for bird viewing, and picnic at shacks the on the islands. The best time to reach there is just before Sunrise as the lake is calm and quiet and flock of birds waiting for their regular food. There is not credible accommodation available around and therfore Nalsarovar is a popular bird watching excursion ex-Ahmedabad and visited enroute to Dasada.

Jamnagar :

  • Lakhota Fort - A small palace on an island in the middle of the Lakhota lake, once belonged to the royal family. The museum in the fort has a good collection of sculptures that spans a period from the 9th to the 18th century and pottery. Bird watching around Lakhota lake is also popular.

  • Marine National Park at Narara Island - Narara Island or Marine National park is a must visit in Jamnagar in mornings. One is required to take a permit and visit it around low tide times when the island is abuzz with a variety of marine life which includes Octopus, fishes, crabs, sponges etc. Its a 2 km walk and takes 1.5 - 2 hours. Narara Island is good fun for nature lovers, families and anyone who is looking to do something different than touristy sightseeing. Note: Good footwear is a must so that comfortably one can wade through sea water. So sandles are recommended. Avoid slippers or sports shoes.

Velavadar :

  • Bird Watching and Wildlife at Velavadar - Velavadar National Park lies 50 kms from Bhavnagar on the Bhavnagar - Ahmedabad highway and is visited for its Blackbuck population (largest in India) and migratory birds in Winter (Nov-Feb is best season). Park is open throughout the year.

Destination Overview

Ahmedabad - Ahmedabad, Gujarat's commercial capital and is one of the major industrial cities in India. Ahmedabad has always been a centre for handicrafts having an old city character, temples, textile museum and heritage monuments that attract tourists.

Velavadar - 130 kms from Ahmedabad, Velavadar is home to the largest concentration of Black Bucks in the world.

Sasan Gir - Sasan Gir is the only place where Asitic Lions are found in the wild. Sasan Gir is also a popular option for spotting migratory birds (in Winter) and Crocodiles.

Jamnagar - Jamnagar lies at the northern end of Saurashtra and home to Reliance Petrochemical complex (20 km on the Dwarka road) and 150 kms from Dwarka. For Bird Watchers, Jamnagar has a number of areas around that are a must visit in Winter for migratory birds.

Nakhatrana - Nakhatrana lies 50 kms North of Bhuj and is central to Pilgrimage, bird watching and craft centres of Bhuj. Nakhatrana is base point to visit Banni Grasslands, Chhari Dhand Wetland Reserve and prime bird watching areas of Greater Rann of Kutch.

Dasada - Dasada today has emerged as a major bird watching centre (Oct- March is the best season) and a popular getaway that is visited all round the year.

Access
Prefered Arrival : No ImageAhmedabadNo ImageAhmedabad
Prefered Departure : No ImageAhmedabadNo ImageAhmedabad
Distances
  • Ahmedabad to Velavadar -145 kms (2.5 hrs)
  • Velavadar to Sasan Gir -216 kms (4.5 hrs)
  • Sasan Gir to Jamnagar -200 kms (4 hrs)
  • Jamnagar to Nakhatrana -329 kms (6 hrs)
  • Nakhatrana to Dasada -360 kms (7.5 hrs)
  • Dasada to Ahmedabad -95 kms (1.5 hrs)

Ready Cost estimate for this itinerary is not available.

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Travel Ideas incorporated in the itinerary

Lines indicate the best available driving routes.
Arrows indicate connectivity other than Road (e.g. Waterways or Air).
Please click on the markers for more detailed Information.

Distances
  • Ahmedabad to Velavadar -145 kms (2.5 hrs)
  • Velavadar to Sasan Gir -216 kms (4.5 hrs)
  • Sasan Gir to Jamnagar -200 kms (4 hrs)
  • Jamnagar to Nakhatrana -329 kms (6 hrs)
  • Nakhatrana to Dasada -360 kms (7.5 hrs)
  • Dasada to Ahmedabad -95 kms (1.5 hrs)

Expert Speak

Winter is the best time for spotting migratory birds. Gujarat is home to some of the rare and exotic birds and therefore a popular circuit for inbound travellers and ardent bird watchers.

Expert Connect

Nivalink has taken over 300 trips across India and select destinations overseas over last 10 years to verify hotels, evaluate destinations and understand its suitability with different profiles of customers across different seasons.

At Nivalink you are able to connect directly with experts who have travelled to these destinations and are able to offer novel ideas, honest perspectives and help you narrow down choices.

Email to expert@nivalink.co.in to connect with sector expert for specific ideas and recommendations.

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