10 Lesser-Known National Parks In Gujarat That You Must Visit

OT Staff

Vansda National Park

Located in the Navsari district, the park is home to leopards, hyenas, bison, sambar deer and four-horned antelopes, among others. In addition to this, the park is also known for its lush green forests and scenic waterfalls.

A forest in Vansda National Park | anitaraokashi/Instagram

Marine National Park

This archipelago of 42 tropical islands lies along the northern coast of Jamnagar district and the southern coast of Kutch. The park is home to 52 coral species and seven species of mangroves.  

Coral in Marine National Park, Gujarat | jeet_bhagde/Instagram

Porbandar Bird Sanctuary

Established in 1988, visitors to this sanctuary can see water birds splashing around in the freshwater lake. You are likely to see pelicans, cormorants, spoonbills, whistling teals, jacanas and more here.

Flamingoes at the Porbandar Bird Sanctuary | Shutterstock

Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary

This is one of the few remaining sanctuaries in India where the critically endangered great Indian bustard can still be seen. The zone is also home to a variety of mammals, including wolves, foxes and hyenas.

A great Indian bustard | Shutterstock

Balaram Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuary

Consisting of the undulating hills of Aravallis and the dry deciduous forests of north Gujarat, this sanctuary harbours 483 species of plants and a variety of animals like leopards, rhesus macaques and woodpeckers.

The black-rumped flameback is a type of woodpecker found widely in the Indian subcontinent | Shutterstock

Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary

A large number of migratory birds like pelicans, spot-billed ducks, flamingoes and demoiselle cranes visit this sanctuary during winter. Butterflies, moths, honeybees and wasps are also present here.

The demoiselle crane spends the winter in the Indian subcontinent | Shutterstock

Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary

As part of the Aravalli ecosystem, this sanctuary is a unique buffer that separates the desert areas from the dry deciduous type of plantations in the region. The area is well known for its population of sloth bears.

The sloth bear, also known as the Indian bear, is native to the Indian subcontinent | Shutterstock

Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary

This is a rare wooded area that offers a remarkable blend of shrubs, grasses, and a variety of flora and fauna. A watchtower located in the central part of the sanctuary provides a panoramic view of the place.

White-eyed buzzards can be found at the Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary | Shutterstock

Purna Wildlife Sanctuary

Unlike most of Gujarat, the area where this sanctuary is located is marked by moderate, sometimes even heavy, rainfall. Thus, the landscape is lush and green with thick forests interspersed with rivers and scattered fields.

The landscape of Purna Wildlife Sanctuary | Shutterstock

Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary

This wildlife sanctuary consists of forested hills teeming with wildlife and avian species. Teak, mahua and bamboo thickets cover the forest, which is occupied by wild boars, nilgai, jackals, hyenas and barking deer.

A stream flows through the Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary | Shutterstock

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A male blackbuck at Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar | Shutterstock
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