Wildlife and safari trip in Gujrat

26 March, 2024

1. Gir National Park, Sasan Gir

Gir National Park tops the list of Gujarat’s wildlife safaris where Asiatic lions dwell freely and safely. The Gir Jungle Trail covers a slice of the national park and the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary. Apart from lions, the park also conserves over 300 kinds of birds, 24 different reptile species, and 30 varieties of mammals.

Area Covered: 1,410 sq. km.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Average Time to Spend: 3 days
Operational Hours:
- In Winter, 6:30 AM – 12:30 PM (morning) and 3 PM – 6 PM (evening)
- In Summer, 6 AM – 12 PM (morning) and 4 PM – 7 PM (evening)
Distance from the Airport: 70 km from the Keshod Airport
Entry Fee:
- ₹4700 per jeep for Indians
- ₹13800 per jeep for foreigners

Note: a single jeep can contain up to 6 adults and one child

How to Reach: Travellers can connect from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to Keshod Airport to reach Gir. There are two railway stations near Sasan Gir: Veraval and Junagadh.

2. Devalia Gypsy Safari Park, Talala

Since you are in Gir, make the best of your exploring spree by visiting this jungle safari park in Gujarat. Nestled in the Gir Forest, the Devalia Gypsy Safari Park is another way to witness this region’s break-taking wildlife.
It is home to Asiatic lions, spotted deer, mongoose, and leopards. Numerous hotels and homestays in the province ensure a comfortable safari experience.

Area Covered: 4.12 sq. km.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Average Time to Spend: 30 to 50 minutes
Operational Hours:
- From 7:30 AM to 10:55 AM (morning)
- From 3 PM to 5:55 PM (evening)
Distance from the Airport: 160 km away from the Rajkot Airport
Entry Fee:
- ₹4700 per jeep for Indians
- ₹13800 per jeep for foreigners
How to Reach: People can arrive at Devalia Gypsy Safari Park by flying from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport to Rajkot Airport. Also, its nearest railway station is Junagadh.

3. Kankai Temple Safari, Junagadh

Kankai Temple Safari, although not a proper wildlife safari, attracts many tourists to get a glimpse of divine wilderness. This safari centralises the Kankai Mata shrine, resting amidst the dense forest. You can observe Asiatic lions here as well. Tourists book this safari to observe the unlikely combination of holy chants and royal roars.

Area Covered: NA
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Average Time to Spend: 1 day
Operational Hours:
- From 6.30 AM to 12 PM (morning)
- From 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM (evening)
Distance from the Airport: 164.19 km from the Rajkot Airport
Entry Fee: No entry fee; Safari cost starting from ₹7000
How to Reach: Since Kankai temple is a part of Gir National Park, it is air-connected by Rajkot Airport. Visitors willing to travel via rail can drop off at Veraval railway station.

4. Pania Wildlife Sanctuary, Amreli

An extension of Gir forest, Pania Wildlife Sanctuary is a must-visit attraction for wildlife enthusiasts. It houses lions, spotted deer, pythons, blue bulls, pangolins, foxes, desert cats, and more through the land of Chinkara. Make your way into its dense wilderness to observe nature in its most primitive form.

Area Covered: 39.64 sq. km.
Best Time to Visit: July to February
Average Time to Spend: 3-4 hours
Operational Hours: 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM
Distance from the Airport: 150 km from Rajkot Airport
Entry Fee: NA
How to Reach: This sanctuary can be reached by flying to Rajkot Airport. People can also come to this sanctuary by train to Visavadar railway station.

5. Black Buck National Park, Velavader

Embracing the coastline of the Gulf of Khambhat, the Black Buck National Park is another popular jungle safari park in Gujarat. Here tourists can find black bucks roaming across the region. If lucky, travellers can even come across wolves during the safari.
The picturesque setting and fascinating juxtaposition of divergent species make this park a true wildlife wanderlust.

Area Covered: 34.08 sq. km.
Best Time to Visit: December to March
Average Time to Spend: 1 day
Operational Hours:
- From 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM (morning)
- From 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM (evening)
Distance from the Airport: 72 km from the Bhavnagar Airport
Entry Fee:
- For Indians, ₹4500 to ₹4800 per jeep
- For foreigners, ₹12000 to ₹13500 per jeep
How to Reach: Take a connecting flight from Surat, Ahmedabad, or Vadodara airports to Bhavnagar Airport to get to the Black Buck National Park. The railway station in proximity to this national park is Dhola.

6. Wild Ass Sanctuary, Little Rann of Kutch

The list of Gujarat’s Wildlife safaris would be incomplete if it did not include the Wild Ass Sanctuary. This enchanting white salt pan with the Arabian Sea at the borderline is home to mesmerising flocks of flamingos and packs of critically endangered Asiatic wild asses. Tourists can also encounter spotted wild cats, leopards, Indian foxes, and striped hyenas.

Area Covered: 4954 sq. km.
Best Time to Visit: November to February
Average Time to Spend: 1 day
Operational Hours: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Distance from the Airport: 182.7 km away from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
Entry Fee:
- For Indians, ₹250 – ₹280 per person
- For foreigners, ₹1200 – ₹1500 per person
How to Reach: The nearest airport to this sanctuary is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport. Regular bus and taxi services are available from the airport to the sanctuary. Also, people can reach via train by dropping off at Patdi railway station.

7. Vansda National Park, Navsari

Gujarat is not all about Asiatic lions and blackbucks. The wildlife of Gujarat comprises an array of manifoldness. Naturists must come down to the Vansda National Park to discover a variety of animals up close.
With leopards, sambar deer, bison, hyenas, four-horned antelopes, over 450 species of plants, and 200 bird species in its vicinity, the Vansda National Park is a must-include in your Gujarat trip itineraries.

Area Covered: 23.99 sq. km.
Best Time to Visit: October to May
Average Time to Spend: 2 hours
Operational Hours: 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM
Distance from the Airport: 111.3 km away from Surat International Airport
Entry Fee:
- For Indians, ₹20 per person
- For foreigners, ₹412.25 per person
How to Reach: The nearest nodes of this national park are Surat International Airport and Waghai railway station. A host of bus and cab services are available from both ports.

8. Nal Sarovar Birds Sanctuary, Ahmedabad

The trail of wildlife safaris in Gujarat will lead you to your next destination, the Nal Sarovar Birds Sanctuary. This sanctuary houses divergent flocks of endangered birds. The scenic beauty of this place, with tall grasslands and marshes, is soothing to the mind. While scheduling a safari to this sanctuary, ensure to carry binoculars.

Area Covered: 120.8 sq. km.
Best Time to Visit: November to February
Average Time to Spend: 1 day
Operational Hours: 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Distance from the Airport: 87.6 km away from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
Entry Fee:
- For Indians, ₹40 – ₹50 per person
- For foreigners, ₹824.45 – ₹1030.56 per person
How to Reach: Tourists can get to the sanctuary by flight to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport or by train to the Viramgam railway station.

9. Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Porbandar

Recognised for its increasing population of wolves, deer, Chinkara, and antelopes, Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is an excellent place to be in the lap of nature. This sanctuary is located in the core of Porbandar, Gujarat. Until 1979, the Barda region was a private reserve. Later, it has been entitled as one of the significant sanctuaries of India.

Area Covered: 192.3 sq. km.
Best Time to Visit: November to March
Average Time to Spend: 1 day
Operational Hours: 10:00 AM to 06:00 PM
Distance from the Airport: 39.5 km away from the Porbandar Airport
Entry Fee: ₹50 per person
How to Reach: You can opt for either train or flight to Porbandar railway station or Porbandar Airport to get to the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary.

10. Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Dahod

Resided in Eastern Gujarat, this sanctuary boasts one of the most feared animals in the world, sloth bears. Since the region comprises the spectacular Ratanmahal Hills as a backdrop, this sanctuary has been named after that. Housing different ranges of flora and fauna, Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary is a hotspot for travellers.

Area Covered: 55.65 sq. Km.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Average Time to Spend: 4-5 hours
Operational Hours: 8 AM to 6 PM
Distance from the Airport: Within 126.5 km from Vadodara Airport
Entry Fee:
- For Indians, ₹10 per person
- For foreigners, ₹100 per person
How to Reach: Since Vadodara Airport is near, obtaining a connecting flight is a great travel option. Visitors can also arrive at the sanctuary via train to Dahod railway station.

11. Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary

Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary also offers wildlife safari tour in Gujarat. Every year, flocks of flamingos migrate to this province, painting the region pink. It houses various animals, such as wolves, Chinkara, jackal, hyena, blue bull, wild ass, etc. This sanctuary never fails to dazzle its visitors with its mystic charm.

Area Covered: 7506.22 sq. km.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Average Time to Spend: 1-2 days
Operational Hours: 6.00 AM to 6.00 PM
Distance from the Airport: 151.7 km away from Bhuj Airport
Entry Fee:
- For Indians, ₹250 – ₹280 per person
- For foreigners, ₹1200 – ₹1500 per person
How to Reach: This wildlife sanctuary is located near Bhuj Airport and Bhuj railway station. From either of the nodes, tourists can avail of regular bus or taxi services to come to the sanctuary.

Safari is the only way to unveil animals at their rawest and marvel at their beauty. With a plethora of magnificent wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, Gujarat is a Wildlife wonderland. This article contains the top-listed sites that offer wildlife safaris in Gujarat. While planning for a Gujarat trip, visit the enlisted places to enrich yourself with a wealth of knowledge.

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