National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries of Gujarat

The state of Gujarat boasts of a very diverse and rich wildlife. The diverse terrain of the state ranging from moist grasslands to the arid Rann to coastal shores and many more results in a rich biodiversity which again stands out as the lifeline for the most exotic and richest wildlife in the state of Gujarat. The natural and dense wildernesses of the state teem with the wildest and rarest animal species that come in a quite magnificent range thereby allowing you to gather a truly memorable experience in the depths of the forests of Gujarat. So, if you dream of a memorable wildlife trip, Gujarat is one state that can satiate you to the fullest. Your Gujarat Wildlife Tour should include some of the top National Parks in the state such as discussed below-

Gir National Park

Gir National Park is an important National Park in Gujarat. It is a famed enough wildlife reserve in the Sasan Gir region of Gujarat’s Junagadh district. The national park is well known for the Panthera Leo species of lion, also known as the ‘Asiatic lions’. It is a pretty endangered lion species not to be found anywhere else in India. The national park was founded on 18th September; 1965. The total area covered by the park is 1412sqkms.

Flora and Fauna

The area of the wildlife sanctuary is covered with dry, deciduous forests and is thronged by many other animals apart from Asiatic lions. Animals such as sloth bears, Indian leopards, four-horned antelope, sambar, crocodile and many more too make a part of the ‘fauna’ of Gir National Park.

When to Visit

The ideal time to travel to Gir is around the winter months starting from the end of November and continuing up to March.

How to Reach

You could take a flight to Keshod Airport or Diu Airport and then complete the rest of the journey by means of road transport. You could take a train to reach Junagadh railway station or travel by public or private buses/cabs to Junagadh from any other city of Gujarat and then proceed to Gir by means of local transport that takes you 1 and ½ hours to reach Gir from Junagadh.

Where to Stay

A jungle lodge or forest bungalow is the best accommodation option. Apart from that, there are many medium to budget-range hotels around the Sasan Gir region of Gujarat.

Ticket Charges

The jeep safari charges for Indian visitors (6 people+1 child) are Rs 5300 and for foreign visitors are Rs 12800.

Vansda National Park

Vansda National Park is a well-known wildlife sanctuary falling within the Navsari district. It is just 10 minutes from the town of Vansda by car. Dang forests, Navsari, as well as Vansda forests, combine to make the woodlands of Vansda national park.

Flora and Fauna

The ‘flora’ of the park consists of a variety of trees and plants such as Teak, Kadad, Shimlo, Sisam, etc while the ‘fauna’ consists of animals such as leopard, hyena, wild boar, giant wood spider, grey hornbill, and many more.

When to Visit

The winter season ranging between months October and May is the ideal time to make a trip to Vansda.

How to Reach

You could avail of buses from Valsad, Surat, and Bilimora to reach Vansda. If you wish to avail the flight route, you need to take a flight to Surat airport and then complete the rest of the journey by means of road transport. Those who wish to travel by train need to make a train journey to Waghai railway station and then make use of road transport to reach the park.

Where to Stay

Panchayat guest houses, PWD Guest houses, Forest rest houses along with luxury and medium-range hotels in the Saputara region can serve as your best accommodation options.

Ticket Charges

The entrance charges are Rs 20 per head for Indian visitors and 5 USD per head for foreign visitors. The charge for using a vehicle within the forest area is Rs 200.

Marine National Park

Marine National Park is located in Gujarat’s Gulf of Kutch region. It falls under the Jamnagar district of Gujarat and is the first of its kind in the whole of the country. The uniqueness of marine life has been beautifully showcased at the park.

Flora and Fauna

Aquatic plants, rare and colorful algae species, corals, swamp forests, seaweeds, and sea grass constitute the ‘flora’ at the park while the ‘fauna’ is made up of scores of rare sea creatures such as sea anemones, harbor shrimps, octopus, crabs, jellyfish and many more.

When to Visit

The best time to visit this park is between the months of October and February; i.e. the winter season at Gujarat.

How to Reach

Jamnagar is the city you have to reach in order to reach the Marine National Park. You could reach Jamnagar from any part of Gujarat by bus or cab. Also, you could avail the rail route by making a train journey to Jamnagar station or you could avail the airway by taking a flight to Jamnagar airport.

Where to Stay

There are many hotels from luxury hotels to medium-range to budget hotels within Jamnagar city. Hence, accommodation is never an issue.

Ticket Charges

For about 10 Indian tourists a basic sailing trip of 3-4hrs would charge a per head cost of Rs 1800 while a basic Pirotan island trip would charge a per head cost of Rs 2700 approximately.

Velavadar Blackbuck National Park

Velavadar National Park in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district is a well-known national park preserving the most endangered blackbuck; a unique bluish spiral-horned antelope almost extinct in recent times. This national park was founded in the year 1976. The park sprawls across a total area of 34.53 sq km.

Flora and Fauna

The park is carpeted with lush green savannah grasses and also other thorny shrubs and bushes. Apart from blackbuck, you could spot other animals too like jackals, striped hyenas, jungle cats, wolves, Macqueen bustards, wild pigs, and even scores of bird species at the park.

When to Visit

The best time to visit this park is during the winter months; i.e. between December and March.

How to Reach

From Bhavnagar city, you could board buses to reach the park. Also, you could take a flight to Bhavnagar airport or can take a train to Bhavnagar railway station prior to reaching the park by means of local transport.

Where to Stay

The park headquarters offer lodging facilities but pre-booking is necessary and for that purpose, you need to call Bhavnagar’s Bahumali Bhavan.

Ticket Charges

For Indian visitors who come with a vehicle, the entry charges are Rs 20 while for foreigners it is $20. Foreigners who come without a vehicle need to pay a fee of $5 and photography charges of about $5.

Apart from the above, there are several other National parks in Gujarat that you could consider visiting such as Jessore sloth bear sanctuary, Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary, Kutch desert sanctuary, Nal sarovar bird sanctuary, Barda Wildlife Sanctuary etc.