Asiatic Lions, Black Bucks & Wild Ass Tour

Destinations Covered: Ahmedabad -Velavadar National Park - Gir National Park -
Little Rann of Kutch Wild Ass Sanctuary - Ahmedabad

Duration: 6 Nights / 7 Days

Tour Programme

Gujarat is a unique state that has many kinds of habitats. These varied landforms include dry deciduous forests, majestic grasslands, wetlands, marine ecosystems and rich moist deciduous forests. These habitats are home to some extremely rare wildlife. The Asiatic Lion is found only in Gir, The Wild Ass in the Little Rann of Kutch and the Black Buck which is world's only four-horned antelope are some other valued species protected in Gujarat.

Day 1 & Day 2: Ahmedabad – Velavadar National Park Welcome to the Asiatic Lions, Black Bucks & Wild Ass Tour ! On arrival at the Ahmedabad you will be received and driven to Velavadar; where you will check in to your hotel The Black Buck Lodge. Velavadar National Park is a peaceful sanctuary comprised of 35 square kilometres of savannah in Gujarat. Set between two rivers and only a few miles from the Gulf of Cambay this park is home to the largest concentration of Black Bucks in the world. In the days of the Maharajas of Bhavnagar these handsome antelope were protected for the occasional royal hunting trips. Other animals of note include the endangered India Wolf, fox, jackal, Jungle Cat, Hyena and Wild Boar.

For the birders there are many endangered birds such as Houbara Bustard, Lesser Florican, Common Crane, Sarus White Stork and White Pelican. The Harrier roost at Velavadar National Park is one of the largest in the world. Another rare sight is that of the Lesser Florican who migrate here and settle here be breed in the grasslands.

After arrival, the male bird marks the territory and displays to attract the female. The courtship display of the male is a spectacular vertical leap up to a height of two meters and may display over 500 times in a day !

The next day after the morning wildlife safari, you will visit the Palitana temples located atop Shatrunjaya Hills and crowned with 863 temples, each rivaling the other for its beauty and magnificence. This is one of the most awe inspiring sights to devotees and visitors alike. The peak is a 3 km climb of over 3500 steps from the town, while on each temple one can see detailed carvings, beautiful idols and images, jeweled statues and intricate torans. The climb to the top of the temple takes around 2 hrs. Drive back to your hotel in the evening.
Overnight at Hotel – The Black Buck Lodge, Velavadar – A Luxury Wildlife Lodge
Day 1 – Evening Wildlife Safari at Velavadar National Park
Day 2 – Morning Wildlife Safari at Velavadar National Park

Day 3 & Day 4: Gir National Park
In the morning leave for Gir National Park – the last abode of the Asiatic lions. Check in to the hotel by lunch. Gir is the only place in the world outside Africa, where the Lion can be seen in its natural habitat. Due to the high density of lions, spotting is very good. Gir is also home to one of the largest Leopard populations in any park in India, making it an excellent place to see big cats of a different kind.

Also to be found here are Jungle Cat, Desert Cat, Rusty Spotted Cat, Sambar, Nilgai, Chinkara, Sambar, Black Buck, Four-Horned Antelope, Wild Boar, Indian Flying Fox, Indian Pangolin and Indian Porcupine.
For the birders over 250 varieties of birds like the Painted Sandgrouse, Peacocks, Paradise Flycatcher, Black-Headed Cuckoo Shrike, Pied Woodpecker and Bonelli's Eagle. Gir is characterised by an arid rugged terrain with low hills and mixed vegetation with beautiful stands of teak, acacia and dhak trees interspersed with grassy plains.
The Kamleshwar dam reservoir inside the Gir National Park has one of the largest marsh crocodile populations.
Early and late in the day are always best for wildlife viewing and the pattern of your stay at the Gir National Park will be to travel into the Park at first light for several hours then return again at about 3pm.

The period between game drives can be spent at the hotel but we will plan bird watching activities and other local excursions for anyone wishing to do so. Apart from spotting a colourful array of wildlife, Gir is also a great
place to interact with local tribes. The main tribe is a nomadic pastoral community called Maldhari, who live in scattered settlements called 'nesses' and it is not unusual to see many head of livestock in the park. Gir is also home to a Negroid community known as Siddis, who are African in origin but speak Gujarati.

In the evening enjoy Cultural evening entertainment The Siddi Dhamaal Dance which is performed by the Negroid Siddi community which migrated to India from Africa in the 15th or 16th century.
Overnight at Hotel – Lion Safari Camp – A Luxury Wildlife Camp
Day 3 – Evening Wildlife Safari at Gir National Park
Day 4 – Morning & Evening Wildlife Safari at Gir National Park
Day 5 – Morning Wildlife Safari at Gir National Park

Day 5 & Day 6: Little Rann of Kutch
In the morning leave for Little Rann of Kutch - the only sanctuary for The Asiatic Wild Ass in India.
The wild ass is a handsome chestnut brown member of the equus genus (horse family). Capable of reaching high speeds when galloping across the Rann, the wild ass is usually seen in small herds.
The elegant blackbuck, blue bull (India's largest antelope) and the graceful chinkara (Indian gazelle) are other mammals seen at the bets. The main carnivores of the Little Rann of Kutch are the endangered
Indian wolf, desert fox, Indian fox, jackals, desert and jungle cats, and a few hyenas. Smaller mammals like hares, gerbilles and hedgehogs, and reptiles like spiny tailed lizard, monitor, red and common sand boa, saw-scaled viper, cobra, dhaman (Indian rat snake), etc, could also be seen during the safaris in the Rann.
The Little Rann of Kutch is a birding paradise and has been declared a Ramsar Site. Birds here include Steppe, Imperial, and Short-toed Eagle, Houbara Bustard, flamingos, pelicans, storks and cranes. The best birding is during the winter months from October to March when waterfowl gather in vast numbers. These are the months when
Demoiselle and Common Crane, and Lesser Flamingo are seen in incredibly large numbers.
Overnight at Hotel – Rann Riders, Dasada, Little Rann of Kutch – A Luxury Resort
Day 6 – Morning & Evening Wildlife Safari at Little Rann of Kutch Wild Ass Sanctuary

Day 7: Ahmedabad In the morning depart for Ahmedabad for your onward journey.