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Wings & Whiskers:
Gujarat's Ultimate Wildlife Expedition.
Ahmedabad – Velavadar – Gir National Park – Jamnagar – Greater Rann of Kutch – Little Rann of Kutch – Nalsarovar – Ahmedabad.
DAY 01
Welcome to Ahmedabad: India’s First UNESCO World Heritage City
Your journey begins as you land in Ahmedabad, a vibrant city steeped in history, architecture, and culture. Recognized as India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, Ahmedabad invites you to explore its rich heritage and timeless charm.
Our local team will warmly greet you upon arrival, ensuring a smooth and comfortable start to your adventure in Gujarat.
Drive to Velavadar National Park - (4hrs).
Enjoy a comfortable 4-hour drive through Gujarat’s picturesque countryside to Velavadar National Park
Rest of the day at leisure – Stay at a Wildlife Lodge at Velavadar.
DAY 02
The Great Blackbuck Safari and Raptor Skies of Velavadar
Rise early for a morning jeep safari through Velavadar National Park, where the grasslands come alive with blackbucks in motion, graceful nilgai, and the soft calls of rare birds.
After lunch, head back for a noon safari bathed in golden light—perfect for photographers and wildlife lovers alike. Whether it's dawn or midday, each ride offers a chance to feel the rhythm of Gujarat’s untamed wilderness.
Spot Velavadar’s iconic blackbuck antelopes roaming freely across golden grasslands — a true highlight of any Gujarat wildlife safari. While Indian wolves remain elusive, sightings of jackals, jungle cats, hares, and Indian foxes are more common, making every jeep safari an adventure into the wild.
Velavadar is a hidden gem for birdwatchers — home to sirkeer malkohas, painted francolins, sandgrouse, skylarks, wheatears, and red-rumped swallows. Whether you're an avid birder or a curious traveller, the skies and scrublands here never disappoint.
Velavadar’s open skies are a raptor-lover’s dream, hosting majestic visitors like the short-toed snake eagle, steppe and imperial eagles, peregrine and red-necked falcons, buzzards, kites, kestrels, and the elusive northern goshawk. A paradise for birders and wildlife photographers alike.
"Keep an eye out for rare sightings like Stoliczka’s bush chat — a true birdwatcher prize. As the sun sets, witness a breathtaking spectacle: hundreds of Montagu’s, pallid, and marsh harriers gathering to roost. Complete your experience with a stay at a cozy wildlife lodge in Velavadar, nestled close to nature
DAY 03
Road to the Kingdom of the Asiatic Lion: Journey to Gir
Begin your day with the third and final jeep safari at Velavadar National Park, soaking in the morning calm and one last chance to spot blackbucks, nilgai, and raptors in the golden grasslands. With three thrilling safaris behind you, it’s time to hit the road.
After breakfast, drive to Sasan Gir (approx. 4 hrs) as the landscape shifts from open savannah to thick dry deciduous forests, home to the last remaining Asiatic Lions in the wild.
Nestled within this landscape is Gir National Park — the last stronghold of the endangered Asiatic lion, whose ancient range once stretched as far as Greece. Today, around 196 male lions, 330 female lions, 140 young lions & 225 cubs, which makes a total of 891 lions in the Park (2025 census), and nearly 300 leopards roam these teak and flame-of-the-forest woodlands, making Gir one of India’s top destinations for big cat sightings.
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After your arrival, enjoy a leisurely day immersed in the sights and sounds of the forest. Gir offers a range of thoughtfully located stays to suit every style — from the luxurious Aaramness Gir and serene Woods at Sasan, to the eco-friendly Gir Serai or The Fern Gir Forest Resort. For a more immersive wildlife experience, try the rustic charm of Asiatic Lion Lodge or the birdwatcher's paradise at Gir Birding Lodge.
DAY 04 & 05
Big Cats & Dry Forests: The Hunt Begins in Gir
Enjoy four thrilling safaris — two each in the morning and afternoon — through Gir National Park in an open jeep. As the last abode of the Asiatic lion, Gir promises a rare chance to witness these majestic big cats in the wild.
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But the park’s magic doesn’t end there. Look out for stealthy leopards, herds of sambar and chital, the stately nilgai, and wild boars rustling through the undergrowth. Other fascinating residents include the graceful Chinkara (Indian gazelle) and the elusive Chousingha — the world’s only four-horned antelope
Gir’s landscape — a mosaic of dry deciduous forests, open grasslands, and riverine corridors — is not only home to big cats, but also a rich diversity of birdlife.
Birdwatchers can spot striking species like the Brown Fish Owl, Mottled Wood Owl, Laggar Falcon, White-bellied Minivet, and Asian Paradise Flycatcher. Prepare your binoculars for gems like Marshall’s Iora, Tawny-bellied and Yellow-eyed Babblers, Rufous Treepie, Rufous-fronted Prinia, and the elusive Black-headed Cuckooshrike. You can see these birds all year in this national park.
Spend Days 4 & 5 exploring deeper into Gir’s wild heart on morning and afternoon open jeep safaris, uncovering its hidden treasures. Evenings are for unwinding in a comfortable wildlife lodge at the edge of the sanctuary — a perfect end to your day in the wild."
DAY 06
Wings over Wetlands: Avian Encounters in Jamnagar
Drive to the coastal city of Jamnagar and set out in the afternoon to explore the Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary — one of western India’s most unique wetland habitats. This remarkable sanctuary is a key breeding ground for several bird species rarely nesting elsewhere in peninsular India.
Keep an eye out for the elusive Indian Skimmer, along with the striking Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Stork, Caspian Tern, and a wide variety of migratory and resident waterbirds.
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Spend the night at a comfortable hotel in Jamnagar, resting up for more birding adventures ahead."
DAY 07
Tides and Terns: Coastal Birding on the Gulf of Kutch
Explore the vibrant coastal wetlands along the Gulf of Kutch, considered one of India’s premier birding stretches.
This rich intertidal zone teems with avian life, offering sightings of sought-after species like the elegant Crab-plover, Kentish Plover, Oystercatcher, Ruddy Turnstone, Broad-billed Sandpiper, and Sanderling. Keep your scope ready for a dazzling array of shorebirds and seabirds, including Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Pallas’ Gull, and Temminck’s Stint.
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Terns feature prominently here too — from Lesser-crested, Gull-billed, Common, and Little Terns to the striking Black-bellied and Whiskered Terns. You may also encounter Darters and the elusive Western Reef Egret among others.​
​After a rewarding day of coastal birding, relax at a comfortable hotel in Jamnagar.
DAY 08
Across the Saltlands: Into Kutch and the Conservation Frontier
Drive from Jamnagar toward the Gulf of Kutch and into the heart of the Kutch peninsula, passing through a stunning variety of landscapes — from rich wetlands to arid grasslands, each teeming with unique birdlife. This 6-hour journey offers opportunities to spot both waterbirds and dryland species en route to Moti Virani, near the town of Bhuj.​
​Your stay is at CEDO Camp — a simple yet meaningful accommodation run by a local conservation organization, offering basic comforts and unmatched access to one of India’s most remarkable birding regions.
DAY 09
A Rare Song: The Grey Hypocolius and Banni’s Birdlife
After breakfast, set out for a special visit to Fulay — one of the only places in India where you can witness the elusive Grey Hypocolius, a winter visitor from the Middle East that draws birders from around the world.
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In the afternoon, explore the vast expanse of the Banni Grasslands, India’s largest grassland ecosystem and a haven for raptors. This Important Bird Area hosts a remarkable diversity of birds of prey, including several species of Aquila eagles. The scattered water bodies in the region attract large flocks of waterfowl, creating stunning spectacles of movement and sound.
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Return for the night to CEDO Camp, where simplicity meets purpose in the heart of Gujarat’s birding frontier."
DAY 10
Bustards, Bushchats & Desert Dwellers of Lala Sanctuary
Embark on morning and afternoon jeep safaris with a local expert naturalist to the Lala Bustard Sanctuary — one of the last remaining habitats of the endangered Great Indian Bustard. This arid grassland is also a known breeding ground for the elusive Lesser Florican, although sightings are rare outside the monsoon season when their dramatic display flights light up the sky.
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With luck and sharp eyes, you may also encounter other dryland specialties, making this a rewarding day for both serious birders and wildlife enthusiasts.
Experience the wild heart of Gujarat with morning and afternoon safaris, guided by our in-house naturalist who brings the ecosystem to life. Beyond blackbucks and wolves, Velavadar and its surrounding landscapes are a birder’s paradise. Key species include the rare White-browed (Stoliczka’s) Bushchat, White-naped Tit, and Rufous-fronted Prinia in the thorn forests of Phot Mahadev. Spot Marshall’s Iora, Grey-necked Bunting, Indian and Cream-colored Coursers, Red-tailed Wheatear, Southern Grey Shrike, and Black-bellied Sandgrouse. Visit Chhari Dhand in Banni for waterfowl, and explore Jakhau’s mangroves and Pingleshwar’s coastline for gulls and waders galore.
DAY 11
Salt Trails: Desert Drive to Little Rann of Kutch
In the morning, depart Moti Virani for a full-day journey eastward to the Little Rann of Kutch (approx. 7 hours). The route offers rich en-route birding, especially for raptor enthusiasts. Keep watch for Bonelli’s Eagle, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, and the striking Red-headed Falcon. This region is also one of the few places where you may spot up to six species of vulture — Indian Vulture, White-rumped Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture, Griffon Vulture (less common but sometimes seen), Eurasian Griffon Vulture & Red-headed Vulture. A rare sight in modern India.
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Arrive by evening at your lodge near the Little Rann, just in time to soak in the sunset across this surreal, salt-crusted wilderness.
Spend the evening and the next three days exploring the stark beauty of the Little Rann of Kutch — one of India’s most hauntingly desolate yet ecologically rich landscapes. Often described as the bleakest and dustiest region in the country, this vast expanse transforms dramatically during the monsoon. Geological uplift and marine transgression have created immense salt flats that flood seasonally, forming one of the world’s largest saline wetlands.
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This unique ecosystem is now protected as India’s largest wildlife sanctuary, with its crown jewel being the Wild Ass Sanctuary. Here, you’ll encounter the last surviving population of the endangered Khur — the Asiatic Wild Ass — roaming freely across the surreal salt desert.
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Your stay is at an eco-friendly wildlife resort, offering both comfort and a deep connection to the land’s raw, unfiltered wilderness."
DAY 12
Wild Ass Safari & Desert Raptors of the Little Rann
Set out on morning and afternoon jeep safaris with our in-house naturalist across the surreal landscapes of the Little Rann of Kutch — a protected haven for the endangered Asiatic Wild Ass (Khur), one of the last places on Earth where this species roams free.
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Beyond the iconic wild ass, the Rann supports a surprising diversity of desert-adapted mammals. Keep an eye out for graceful Nilgai (blue bull), the agile Chinkara (Indian gazelle), and elusive predators like the Indian Fox, White-footed Desert Fox, and, with luck, even the stealthy Indian Wolf. Other possible sightings include Jungle Cat, Desert Cat, Long-eared and Pale Hedgehogs, and the Indian Hare — all perfectly suited to this arid and open terrain.
"The Little Rann of Kutch is a birdwatcher’s paradise, especially in the open scrublands and semi-arid grasslands where larks and wheatears thrive. Likely sightings include Crested and Sykes’s Larks, Oriental Skylark, Bimaculated Lark, Greater Short-toed Lark, Singing and Indian Bush Larks, along with Ashy-crowned and Black-crowned Sparrow-larks. With luck, you might even spot the elusive Greater Hoopoe Lark.
The Rann also offers excellent chances to observe Desert and Variable Wheatears, along with an impressive array of shrikes such as Southern Grey, Long-tailed, Rufous-tailed, Bay-backed, and Common Wood Shrike. The winter months bring in migrant warblers, including the sought-after Desert Warbler.
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In scrubby patches, keep an eye out for Chestnut-bellied and Spotted Sandgrouse, Indian Courser (with occasional visits from Cream-coloured Courser), various quail species, Yellow-legged and Barred Buttonquails, Grey Francolin, and more elusive finds like Wryneck, Brown Rock Chat, Pied Bush Chat, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, Blue-headed Rock Thrush, Black Redstart, and an assortment of wintering buntings.
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As the sun begins to set, the skies often come alive with raptors. Watch for Marsh, Montagu’s, and Pallid Harriers gliding in to roost, along with Aquila Eagles, Buzzards, and agile Falcons returning from the day’s hunt.
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Your stay continues at an eco-friendly wildlife resort — a perfect base to experience the wild rhythm of the Rann."
DAY 13
Cranes & Flamingos: The Breathtaking Bets and Nawa Talao
This morning, head out to explore the best elevated islands within the vast salt flats of the Rann, dotted with grass and scrub. In winter, these habitats offer a chance to spot the elusive MacQueen’s Bustard, a prized sighting for birders.
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These open expanses are also prime raptor territory. Keep watch for Long-legged, Common, and White-eyed Buzzards, Booted Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, and the frequently seen Short-toed Snake Eagle soaring over the landscape.
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The stark beauty of the birds combined with the thrill of scanning for these majestic birds makes for a truly unforgettable morning in the Rann.
In the evening, visit Nawa Talao — a winter haven for waterbirds. Demoiselle and Common Cranes gather here in large flocks, joined by Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Great White Pelicans, and both Spot-billed and Dalmatian Pelicans.
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You may also spot a variety of storks, including Painted, Openbill, Woolly-necked, White, Black, and Black-necked, along with ibises and a rich diversity of ducks such as Northern Pintail, Garganey, Shoveler, Pochards, and Cotton Pygmy Goose.
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Waders like pratincoles, lapwings, sandpipers, and ruffs are also commonly seen. Overnight at an eco-friendly wildlife resort."
DAY 14
Serenade at Sunrise: Nalsarovar Birding by Boat
Start early with a packed breakfast and drive to Nalsarovar, arriving before sunrise. This vast, shallow lake—spanning over 115 sq. km.—is one of Gujarat’s most important wetland bird sanctuaries, located at the junction of the Saurashtra plateau and mainland Gujarat.
Embark on a locally-guided boat safari through its marshes, where over 250 bird species have been recorded. Winter brings a spectacular gathering of flamingos, pelicans, storks, ducks, egrets, herons, cormorants, kingfishers, and darters. Watch jacanas, moorhens, coots, and grebes feed with their unique plant-straining technique, and look out for godwits and snipes probing the soft mud.
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After your wetland safari, proceed to Ahmedabad for lunch and an overnight stay at a comfortable city hotel.
DAY 15
Farewell to the Wild: Departure from Ahmedabad
After an unforgettable journey through Gujarat’s rich mosaic of grasslands, forests, coastal wetlands, and salt deserts, today marks the conclusion of your adventure. Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel in Ahmedabad. ​
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Later, transfer to the Domestic or International Airport for your onward journey, carrying with you memories of rare wildlife sightings, vibrant birdlife, and the soul-stirring landscapes of Gujarat—each a chapter in this immersive wilderness experience.
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End of Tour