From the last Asiatic Lions of Gir to flocks of Greater Flamingos in the wetlands, the state’s diverse habitats offer unforgettable encounters. Here are the top wildlife destinations to explore in Gujarat, each with its own adventures.
The Little Rann of Kutch is a vast salt desert in central Gujarat. Here, the 4,953 km² Wild Ass Sanctuary is home to the endangered Indian Wild Ass. Come winter, the flats turn pink, with thousands of flamingos and cranes. The stark landscape – dry salt crust, thorny shrubs and wide horizons – feels otherworldly. Jeep safaris reveal herds of Wild Ass, Desert Foxes, Jackals and Monitor Lizards.
Jeep Safari: Hire a 4×4 to tour the salty flatlands. You’ll see Wild Asses grazing in families, and may spot Desert Wolves or Foxes at dawn.
Birdwatching: In winter, spot huge flocks of greater flamingos, common cranes, painted storks, pelicans, and more.
Sunset & Stars: The flat horizon is perfect for spectacular sunsets and incredible stargazing at night.
Air: Ahmedabad Airport (~112 km) is the nearest major airport.
Train: The closest station is Patadi (around 25 km). From there, hire a jeep or taxi.
Road: Well-connected by road from Ahmedabad (about 103 km away), Rajkot (175 km), and Bhuj (196 km). 4×4 vehicles or tourist jeeps from Dasada (Sankheda) are common.
Set deep in dry forests between Junagadh and Veraval, Gir NP is the 1,412 km² last refuge of the Asiatic Lion. A safari through this sanctum promises sightings of Lions, Leopards and Deer, plus Nilgai (Blue Bulls) and Chousingha Antelope. Over 300 bird species also inhabit Gir. A visit here is especially thrilling in winter, when the cool weather brings out wildlife.
Jungle Safari: Book an online permit and join a morning safari through Gir’s forests to spot Lions and Deer.
Devalia Safari Park: For Lion (and Leopard) sightings, take the enclosed 4.12 km² Devalia safari (bus tours run hourly).
Birdwatching: Over 300 species call Gir home. Keep binoculars ready for painted storks, mynahs, and birds of prey.
Nature Learning: Stop by the park’s museum and local Sasan Gir village to learn about Lion conservation and Maldhari (herder) culture.
Air: Rajkot Airport lies 170 km from the park.
Train: Junagadh or Veraval stations connect here (Veraval – 45 km, Junagadh – 60 km).
Road: Reach Gir National Park via regular bus services from nearby Junagadh (60 km) and Veraval (45 km).
Covering an area of 192.31 sq km, the sanctuary may be modest in size but is rich in biodiversity—especially its flora, which includes a significant number of medicinal plants. This forested area was designated a Wildlife Sanctuary in February 1979. Barda is particularly notable for hosting a high concentration of rare and endangered plant species. Historically, this land straddled two princely states: Rana Barda, once ruled by the Porbandar royal family, and Jam Barda, under the dominion of Jamnagar’s rulers. Today, the area is home to pastoral communities such as the Maldharis, Bharvads, Rabaris, and Gadhvis.
Explore biodiversity: Gujarat’s most botanically diverse regions with over 650 plant species, including Gorad, Babul, Dhav, Rayan, Ber, Jamun, Amli, Dhudhlo, and Bamboo.
Spot wildlife: Understand reintroduction efforts for species like Sambar, Chital, and Chinkara.
Learn about the Gir-Barda Project: Understand Barda’s role as a potential secondary home for the Asiatic Lion as part of the ‘Gir-Barda Project’.
Air: The town has a domestic airport with flights to major cities in India.
Train: Porbandar is well-linked by rail to several parts of the state.
Road: Regular state and private bus services connect Porbandar to other major cities in Gujarat.
Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary offers an ideal detour for nature and wildlife enthusiasts visiting the region. The sanctuary spans 130.38 sq km of forested hills and rich biodiversity. The landscape is dominated by dense teak, mahua, and bamboo groves, providing a natural habitat for various wildlife species such as wild boars, nilgai (blue bulls), jackals, hyaenas, barking deer, sloth bears, chousinghas (four-horned antelopes), and leopards.
Originally part of the princely state of Jambughoda before India’s independence, this area was once home to several tribal communities living within the forest. Though conservation efforts began earlier, the region was officially declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in May 1990.
Take a hike: Hike through forest trails lined with Teak, Bamboo, and Mahua trees.
Spot diverse wildlife: This wildlife sanctuary has various wildlife species including Nilgais, Sloth Bears, Leopards, and you can enjoy birdwatching here as well.
Nature camping: Experience nature camping near the Kada reservoir (advance booking recommended).
What to see nearby: Explore the nearby Champaner–Pavagadh Archaeological Park for a combined heritage–nature trip.
Road: The sanctuary is accessible via Champaner, which is about 45 km from Vadodara. Buses and private vehicles are available, but hiring a car from Vadodara is recommended, especially for combining a visit to Champaner–Pavagadh and Jambughoda in a single trip.
Situated in Dahod district, near the Gujarat–Madhya Pradesh border, it is home to the highest population of Sloth Bears in the state. Spread across rugged hills and dense forests, the sanctuary offers a hill-station-like atmosphere. Declared a sanctuary in 1982, it is also inhabited by Leopards and other wildlife. The forest features dry Teak, Bamboo, and pure patches of Timru, Sadad, and Mahuda trees – key food sources for Sloth Bears. It also forms the vital catchment of the Panam River, playing a crucial role in water conservation.
Spot Sloth Bears and Leopards in the wild.
Trek through scenic forest trails.
Enjoy birdwatching and wildlife photography.
Visit the Panam River catchment area.
Air: Vadodara (130 km), Ahmedabad (250 km).
Train: Nearest railway stations are Dahod (70 km) and Godhra (85 km).
Road: Nearest towns include Sagtala (15 km), Bariya (30 km), Kheda (45 km), Dahod (60 km). The nearest bus station is Devgadh Baria (42 km).
This 34 km² grassland just north of Bhavnagar is made for wildlife watching. It’s famous for large herds of elegant blackbuck antelope – you can spot about 1,800 of them grazing in groups. Nilgai (blue bulls) also roam the golden plains, and in winter, thousands of marsh harriers and other birds migrate here, and dusk safaris across the open land often reveal wolves on the hunt.
Guided Safari: Walk or jeep-safari the grasslands with a local ranger (guides are mandatory). They’ll point out Blackbuck, Nilgai, and possibly Wolves.
Birdwatching: Look overhead for winter harriers and watch sociable lapwings, sandgrouse, and quails. Over 120 bird species have been recorded here.
Village Visit: Learn about the rural Maldhari communities who live around Velavadar – their stories enrich the experience.
Air: Bhavnagar Airport is the closest (~47 km).
Train: Bhavnagar Junction (47 km) is the nearest railhead.
Road: Velavadar lies ~47 km north of Bhavnagar town. State buses and taxis run from Bhavnagar.
On the edge of the Banni grasslands in Kutch lies Chhari-Dhand, a seasonal shallow wetland conservation reserve. Thousands of flamingos, cranes and painted storks gather here, along with rare Dalmatian pelicans and Indian skimmers. Desert species – chinkara (Indian gazelle), wolves, caracals and desert foxes – also visit the wetland edges, making Chhari Dhand a unique meeting of desert and water wildlife.
Birdwatching: Especially in late monsoon through winter, watch the sky fill with pelicans, storks, Oriental darters, and more. Early morning sees the greatest bird activity.
Nature Walk/Jeep Tour: Explore the flat grasslands on foot (guided walks) or by jeep to discover wetland flora and land animals. Look for wolves or foxes along the edges
Air: Fly into Bhuj Airport (with domestic flights)., then hire a car north. Bhuj is ~93.5 km from Chhari Dhand by road.
Train: Bhuj Railway Station is the nearest rail link (~93 km).. From Bhuj, one drives on Pati-Garbo highway towards the Banni.
Road: The reserve is ~79 km northeast of Bhuj.. Good roads connect from Bhuj; from Ahmedabad it’s ~410 km (via Mehsana and Palanpur). Four-wheel-drive vehicles are advised for the final stretch.
Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is a 605-hectare wetland reserve on the outskirts of Jamnagar. This tranquil marsh-and-mangrove habitat draws over 220 bird species – from flocks of Flamingos and Pelicans to Herons, Spoonbills and Ducks – making it a birdwatcher’s paradise. An old check-dam here formed a unique brackish-water lake; the area was declared a sanctuary in 1981 and was designated a Ramsar “Wetland of International Importance” in 2022.
Stroll the well-maintained nature trails around the lake and boardwalks to observe hundreds of birds at close range.
Bring binoculars early in the morning or late afternoon when bird activity is highest (look for flamingos, cranes, pelicans and kingfishers).
Enjoy the peaceful rural setting; you can also visit Ranmal Lake (a smaller lake) nearby or explore Khijadiya village’s small farms.
By Air: Jamnagar Airport (~24 km) has regular flights from major cities.
By Train: Jamnagar Railway Station (about 17 km) is the nearest railhead.
By Road: The sanctuary lies roughly 14 km north of Jamnagar city on local roads. You can hire a taxi or take a state transport bus from Jamnagar to Khijadiya (about 30 minutes).
Thol Lake Bird Sanctuary is a 7 km² man-made wetland about 27 km from Ahmedabad’s city centre. It is one of Gujarat’s premier birding spots, hosting roughly 150 species of birds along with mammals like blackbuck and jackal. In winter the shallow lake turns pink with thousands of visiting flamingos. You can also see Sarus cranes (an endangered species), great white pelicans, ducks, geese and other waterfowl here.
Walk or cycle around the Thol Lake trail at dawn or dusk to spot birds.
Birdwatch from the sanctuary’s viewing huts.
Enjoy a picnic by the lakeside. It’s also a good spot for nature photography.
Keep an eye out for mammals on the edges – blackbucks and nilgai (blue bull) sometimes graze the grasslands.
Air: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (Ahmedabad) is about 34 km from Thol Lake.
Train: The nearest railway station is Ahmedabad Junction (Kalupur), about 31.3 km away.
Road: Thol Sanctuary is only about 23 km north of Gandhinagar on State Highway (approx. 27 km from Ahmedabad). Regular buses and taxis run from Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar toward Thol.