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Gujarat Birding & Wildlife Tour
Gujarat Birding & Wildlife Tour
Gujarat Birding & Wildlife Tour (KBG - 06)
Region : West India
10
Days

Activity

Comfort

Cost per Person

US$ 2400

Based on a minimum of 2 persons travelling

Tour Overview

The Gujarat Birding & Wildlife Tour showcases the top birding and wildlife spots in Gujarat, starting with Velavadar Park, a 35-square-kilometer sanctuary dedicated to Blackbuck conservation. From October to February, it hosts a significant winter roost of around 2,000 Montagu’s Harriers and is a breeding ground for the rare Lesser Florican from June to October. Birders can also spot Stoliczka’s Bushchat, Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark, and various raptors like Black-shouldered Kite and Short-toed Snake Eagle. The park's grasslands are home to Blackbucks, wolves, jackals, and other wildlife. Moving south, Gir National Park is famous for its Asiatic Lions, with over 300 bird species recorded. Highlights include Crested Serpent Eagle, Painted Sand Grouse, Asian Paradise-Flycatcher, and Indian Pitta among others. The tour concludes in the Rann of Kutch, renowned for its winter birdlife, including the rare Indian Wild Ass and nearly 300 bird species.



Gujarat Birding & Wildlife Tour

Day 1: Velavadar
  Arrive at Ahmedabad airport and drive to Velavadar (140 km / 3 hrs approx.). Check into the lodge upon arrival at Velavadar National Park. In the afternoon, explore Velavadar for its magnificent Black Buck antelopes, offering excellent opportunities for photographing them sparring. Keep an eye out for other wildlife such as jungle cat, jackal, Indian fox, Indian wolf, and striped hyena. One of the highlights here is witnessing up to 2,000 harriers roosting together at dusk.  
Day 2: Gir National Park
Embark on a morning game drive into Gir National Park accompanied by a local guide. Later, drive to Sasan Gir (220 km / 5 hrs drive approx.). Check in to the lodge upon arrival in the evening. .
Day 3-4: Gir National Park
Spend two full days exploring Gir National Park, renowned for its Asiatic Lions and offering two park drives daily for optimal wildlife viewing and birding opportunities. Look out for species like the Indian Jungle Nightjar, Mottled Wood Owl, Rock Bush Quail, White-bellied Minivet, Painted Sandgrouse, Black Ibis, Rufous-fronted Prinia, and Crested Hawk Eagle.  
Day 5: Bhuj
Embark on a long drive to Bhuj with birding opportunities en route (430 km / 9 hrs drive approx.). Arrive in Nakhatrana in the evening and check in to the lodge.  
Day 6-7: Bhuj
Enjoy two full days of birding around Bhuj with your bird guide. Explore the desert landscapes and coastline, known for species such as the Grey Hypocolius, White-naped Tit, Marshall’s Iora (Indian-endemic), Sykes’s Lark, Indian Eagle-Owl, Painted Sandgrouse, and White-bellied Minivet. Along the shoreline, spot birds like Lesser Sand Plovers, Crab-Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Little Tern, and Heuglin’s Gull. 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
Start the day with early morning birding around Bhuj to spot any missed species, then drive to the Little Rann of Kutch (325 km / 7 hrs drive approx.). Check in to the lodge upon arrival. Enjoy an evening game drive into the Wild Ass Sanctuary.
Day 9: Rann of Kutch
Spend a full day exploring the Little Rann of Kutch. Enjoy morning and evening visits to the Wild Ass Sanctuary by exclusive jeeps. Look out for wildlife such as Desert Fox, Indian Wolf, and the star bird species including wintering McQueen’s Bustard, Sykes Nightjar, Greater Hoopoe Lark, Indian Courser, White-tailed and Sociable Plovers, Great White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Demoiselle Cranes, and raptors like Pallid and Montagu’s Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Imperial, Tawny, and Greater Spotted Eagles.
Day 10: Ahmedabad - Departure
Morning visit to the sanctuary for any species missed. Afternoon drive to Ahmedabad (100 km / 2 hrs drive approx.) to catch your departure flight. Tour concludes.  

Inclusions

  • Accommodation in the above mentioned hotels / resort as per mentioned meal plan
  • Air-conditioned Toyota Innova for all transfers mentioned as per the above mentioned itinerary
  • Meals as mentioned in the above itinerary
  • All entrances to Wildlife Sancturies and National Parks
  • 02 jeep safaris (by exclusive jeep) in Velavadar National Park with local lodge guide
  • 04 jeep safaris (by exclusive jeeps) in Gir National Park with local park guide
  • 04 jeep safaris (by exclusive jeeps) in Little Rann of Kutch with local lodge driver cum guide
  • All currently applicable taxes

FAQs

Q: Do I need a Visa to enter India?
Yes. https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html

Q: What kind of climate should I expect?
India is tropical and would be hot and humid most of the year except during November to February when it is cooler. In addition, the deserts-like conditions in the Rann area can become windy and cold in winter and hot in summer.

Q: Are tour dates flexible?
Yes.

Q: What are the accommodations like?
Accommodations we use are all birder friendly accommodations near the birding areas, clean and with great service.

Q: Can you provide me with a list of the hotels we will be staying at?
It would be sent along with the detailed itinerary we send to you.

Q: Can I book extra nights of hotel accommodation before or after my tour ?
Yes, we can arrange pre and post night extensions.

Q: Do you cater to dietary requirements?
Yes we do but we would require adequate advance notice.

Q: What is the Indian currency?
Indian Rupee. The higher denomination notes are 100, 500 and 2000 rupees.

Q: Are foreign currencies accepted locally?
The USD, GBP and EURO are easily accepted at all places.

Q: Are there ATMs available?
Yes. Banking services and numerous ATMs available throughout this area

Q: Are credit and charge cards widely accepted ?
Yes, all the hotels we use & most shops in locations mentioned in this itinerary accept credit cards

Q: Should I purchase travel insurance before travelling ?
Yes, it is highly recommended that you take out travel insurance before travelling to India, covering any medical situation, hospitalisation, cancellation and loss of your baggage. We cover your causality evacuation to the nearest hospital which is included in the cost. However, this does not cover the cost of medical treatment at the hospital.

Q: What vaccinations will I require?
Please check with your doctor. The areas which fall within this tour are malaria-free.

Q: Air airport transfers included?
Yes. Pick up from the airport and drop to the airport are included as mentioned in the itinerary.

Q: What kind of electrical travel adaptor will I need?
India uses 230 Volts, 50 Hz alternating current as the power source. Plugs and sockets have either grounded / earthed 3 Pin connections (Type D) or ungrounded 2 pin connections (Type C). The two pin plug is also called the Europlug. It has two round 4 mm (0.157 in) pins. It can be inserted in either way into the socket. Hence there is no fixed live (hot) and neutral (cold) terminals. The three pin plug is rated at 6A / 250V. It has three round pins in a triangular pattern. The earth terminal is slightly larger than the live and neutral terminals. For Higher current, there is a 15 Amp version of the same 3 Pin plug, usually called the Power Plug or the M Plug. Live and neutral are 1 inch (25.4 mm) apart. Earth terminal is 1+1⁄8 in (28.58 mm) away from live and neutral terminals. Typically, refrigerators, heaters and other high power devices are connected to this 15 Amp socket.

Q: Will a standard European electric plug (2 round pins) fit into a power point in India?
Yes. To insert the 2 pin plug into a Type D 3 Pin socket which in some cases may be closed by default, push a pen into the Ground/Earth terminal. This opens up the protected 2 Pin terminals and you can insert the 2 Pin plug.

Q: Will a standard American electric plug fit into a power point in India?
No. But any electrical store will sell you an adapter for around 50 cents or less.

Q: What is included in my tour?
Accommodation with all meals, all transfers, all birding walks, safaris, birding guide.

Q: What is not included in the tour?
Tips, flights, camera fees, personal expenses, beverages and liquor.

Q: How much should I tip?
Tipping is the customary way of saying thank you for a good trip. Any amount is welcome and is certain to augment the income of the bird guide and driver. Please remember that this is their only means of livelihood.

Q: Tell me more about the birding guides?
Our birding guides are knowledgeable and speak very good English. 

Q: Is there any restrictions on drinking liquor or smoking?
Gujarat is a 'dry' state where liqour is banned. Smoking in public is  not permitted.

Q: What will the meals be like on my tour?
Meals are usually ethnic Indian fare, mainly  vegetarian

Q: Is there a 24 hours hotline for me to call during an emergency?
Yes. The number will be provided to you before you start the tour

Q: What is the Internet access like?
All places have internet, not necessarily in the rooms but near the reception.

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