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A tour in Gujarat to see wildlife including Asiatic Lions, wild ass and Indian Bustard. We had a very experienced guide for this tour and saw a great variety of mammals, birds and some reptiles and amphibians. We stayed in very good lodges and hotels and enjoyed the company of the other traveller on this tour as well as the guide. Naturetrek always make us feel safe and ensure that we have the best possible wildlife experience. We have used them for numerous holidays and thoroughly recommend this company.
B.P. West Sussex, Nov 19
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India - Rare Mammals & Birds of Gujarat
Tour Code: IND04A 13-day wildlife holiday to Gujarat in search of the rare birds and mammals of this little-explored region.
13 days
from
£4,495 (Inc flights)
£4,495 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£3,995
£3,995
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
India is the only country in the world which can claim both Lion and Tiger among its native fauna. Yet, while many of our Naturetrek holidays offer you the chance to see Tigers, this wildlife tour of Gujarat is unique in its focus on Asiatic Lions, plus three other special mammals! We will search for the Lions in the Gir Forest, their remaining stronghold. We’ll also visit Velavadar Reserve, where large concentrations of the beautiful Blackbuck occur; the Neliya Grasslands, roamed by packs of Indian Wolves, and Dhrangadhra Sanctuary, home of the endangered Asiatic Wild Ass. In addition to these primary objectives, we’ll also encounter an impressive supporting cast of other rarely seen mammals.
- The only Naturetrek tour offering the chance to see Asiatic Lion
- Plus Asiatic Wild Ass, Blackbuck, Indian Wolf & other mammals
- Wide variety of birdlife
- Interesting Gujarat desert landscapes
- Glimpses of village life in rural India
- Extend the tour by visiting other wildlife or cultural areas
- Expertly guided by one of our Indian naturalists
Grading
This is a wildlife tour with little walking.The Indian subcontinent boasts nearly 500 species of mammal, protected within over 250 wildlife reserves, and is the only place in the world that can still claim both Tiger and Lion among its native fauna. Inevitably, however, it is the Tiger, and such other popular large mammals as Asian Elephant and Greater One-horned Rhino, that are the focus of so many of our India tours. This special itinerary is different though, a trio of rare Indian mammals — Blackbuck, Asiatic Wild Ass and Asiatic Lion — being our chief targets. A supporting cast of other rarely seen possibilities including Striped Hyena, Desert Wildcat, Indian Wolf and Desert Red Fox, is no less mouth-watering!
The range of the Asiatic Lion once extended as far as Greece, but habitat destruction and hunting gradually diminished its population. Today only a few hundred remain in the relict Gir Forest on the Saurashtra Peninsula in Gujarat, India’s westernmost state. It is here that we will spend two full days, travelling from our base at a comfortable tourist lodge into the grassland and forest domain of this magnificent predator, encountering a stunning variety of wildlife as we search for our quarry. We will also visit two other wildlife reserves in Gujarat during this holiday, each protecting important populations of endangered species. In Velavadar Wildlife Reserve we will enjoy the highest concentration of Blackbuck on Earth while, in Dhrangadhra Sanctuary in the Little Rann of Kutch, we'll explore the home of the Asiatic Wild Ass. We will also spend time around Kachchh, searching the desert scrub for such rarities as Striped Hyena, Indian Wolf and Desert Wildcat.
We begin with a 2-night stay in Velavadar, where the graceful Blackbuck, one of the most attractive of all Indian mammals, still occurs in large herds that graze the scrubby grasslands set aside for their protection. Indian Wolf, Jungle Cat and Nilgai also occur here and, whilst the driest season during March and April is perhaps best for mammals, the winter months from November to February draw large concentrations of wintering harriers, eagles, geese and cranes to the reserve.
Our next destination is the Gir Forest National Park. With a rugged terrain of low hills and tracts of deciduous forest interspersed with areas of grassland, this national park supports a great diversity of mammals including Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Chinkara (Indian Gazelle), Four-horned Antelope and Wild Boar. With such an abundance of prey it is little surprise that Leopards maintain good numbers in the forests and Striped Hyenas seek to scavenge any leftovers from the big cats meals. The Gir Forest is, however, most famed for its Lions and our focus will be to find as many as possible during twice-daily excursions into their habitat. While, elsewhere in India, the Tiger is the top terrestrial predator, here in the Gir Forest, the majesty of the Lion is unchallenged. We will spend three nights here at a comfortable forest lodge.
Next we travel to Kachchh for a 3-night stay. Here we will explore the surrounding desert and scrub where such avian specialities as Great Indian Bustard, Grey Hypercolius, MacQueen's Bustard, the endemic White-naped Tit and the exquisite Indian Courser may be seen. In this region our chances of seeing exciting mammals are greatly increased by the fact that, being outside any protected area, evening safaris are possible. Thus we have a much greater chance here of seeing the strange loping Striped Hyena, the charming Desert Wildcat, the desert subspecies of Red Fox and perhaps a family of Indian Wolves.
Finally, we travel to the Dhrangadhra Sanctuary. Established in 1973, this reserve embraces a huge area of flat, saline wilderness and protects an important population of the endangered Asiatic Wild Ass. Finding these shy, sandy-coloured creatures is no easy task in this arid landscape. However, with luck, we should discover a small herd feeding on their favourite 'bets' (islands of coarse grasses), which provide their principal nourishment in this harsh terrain. After two idyllic days in the peaceful haven of the Little Rann of Kutch, we will head to Ahmedabad for our flight to London, via Doha.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Depart London
Day 2/3
Velavadar Wildlife Reserve
Day 4/6
Gir National Park
Day 7/9
Kachchh
Day 10/11
Dhrangadhra Sanctuary. Little Rann of Kutch (from Dasada)
Day 12
Ahmedabad
Day 13
Fly London
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation: Comfortable tourist hotels. All rooms have private facilities.
- Food: All included in the price.
Reviews
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An excellent view of a male and female lion and a cub at a kill on the last morning. The Wild Asses part of the trip was excellent. The quality of birds also impressive.
A.W. Wales -
It was another excellent Naturetrek holiday. Thank you.
P.S. West Midlands -
Tika is an exceptional leader. He is totally committed to ensuring all the party members are happy with their experience. He goes to great lengths to get views of animals and organises transfers, wake up calls and lots of details unobtrusively.
J.J. Gloucestershire -
I was delighted to get such excellent view of a total of 7 different Asiatic Lions, and also to see a total of 4 Indian Wolves. Very nice to see the Wild Ass and Blackbuck so well, too, also the various jackal and fox species, plus Leopards, Jungle Cats etc. Manisha was most helpful and attentive and looked after us very well. She is very well informed regarding the wildlife and worked hard to find it for us.
S.W. Nottinghamshire
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sun 2nd Nov – Fri 14th Nov
SPACES
£4,495
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sun 1st Feb – Fri 13th Feb
SPACES
£4,495
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Sun 1st Nov – Fri 13th Nov
SPACES
£4,495
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
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The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Mammal Watching Holidays
Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.
Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours
Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.
Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:
- India’s Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves
- A cruise to Spitsbergen in search of Polar Bears
- A chance to see the ‘Big Five’ and much more in South Africa’s Kruger National Park
- Search for Blue, Fin and Sperm Whales in the Azores
- Close-up views of Brown Bear and Wolverine in Finland
- Enjoy the mammals of Kenya’s Masai Mara, while staying in luxury camps
- Search for elusive nocturnal mammals, such as Aardvark, Black-footed Cat and Aardwolf, in the Kalahari Desert
Bargain mammal selection
We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.
Our specialist recommends...
"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
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Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
