Gujarat is India’s westernmost state known for its architectural marvels, vivacious culture, spectacular landscapes, rich heritage and delicious cuisine. It is popularly known as The Land of Legends owing to its perfect combination of art, music, history and culture. Gujarat is the ideal destination for nature lovers with its scenic beauty that spans across the Great Rann of Kutch all the way to the hills of Satpura. Gujarat sees thousands of tourists every ear flocking to see the pure Asiatic Lions found only in the Gir National Park of Gujarat. There’s a lot more of nature and wildlife to explore in Gujarat. Here’s a list of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Gujarat that will appeal to the animal lover in you.
1. Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary
Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary or Mitiyala Grasslands spans across 18.22 square kilometres (7.03 miles) with undulating hill tracks that are engulfed by tall wild grasses. The sanctuary is built on royal estate of Bhavnagar. The sanctuary often called an offshoot of Gir, is one of the best places to see lions and leopards. The Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to various endangered species like the spotted deer and nilgai. One can also find wild boars meandering around in groups.
Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: Mitiyala, Gujarat 364522
Website: Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary
Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)
2. Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary
Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary is located in the Banaskantha district of Gujarat. The sanctuary is known for the endangered sloth bear. The two species - Indian sloth bear and the Sri Lankan sloth bear are protected by this sanctuary. Other species found in this sanctuary include the blue bull, wild boar, leopard, sambar and porcupine. Visitors can also see the are civet, caracal, wolf, jungle cat and the hyena. The rarest python of the country can also be seen near ‘Muni Ji ki kutia’. The sanctuary also has a large number of land and water birds.
Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary
Address: SH 54, Banaskantha District, Iqbalgadh, Gujarat 385505
Website: Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary
Opening hours: 6am - 6pm (daily)
3. Gir National Park
Gir National Park is one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries in India. It is the only natural habitat of the endangered species of Asiatic Lions. Visitors can opt for a Jeep Safari - an adventurous ride through the wild forest where you can spot over 523 Lions, 300 Leopards, 200 species of birds and 40 species of reptiles and amphibians. The visitors can only see the rare species of the white-backed, long-billed vultures. Russell’s viper, krait, saw-scaled viper and the king cobra.
Gir National Park
Address: Junagadh, Gir Somnath and Amreli Districts, Gujarat, India
Website: Gir National Park
Opening hours: 6am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Jeep safari - Indian: 5300 INR; foreigner: 13800 INR (186 USD)
4. Purna Wildlife Sanctuary
Purna Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Western Ghats mountain range of Gujarat and Maharashtra. The tourists visiting this sanctuary can see rhesus macaque, bonnet macaque, four-horned antelope, barking deer, Indian civet cat, leopard, hyena, Indian porcupine, common mongoose, sambar, jungle cat and chital. The sanctuary has over 139 bird species including the grey jungle fowl, bee-eaters, flycatchers, barbets, forest owlets, common grey hornbills, woodpeckers, shrikes, leafbirds and raptors with over 116 spider species and 700 plant species.
Purna Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: GJ SH 174, Jamlapada, Gujarat 394716
Website: Purna Wildlife Sanctuary
Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 2270 INR (30 USD approx.)
5. Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary was originally a part of the Gir Forest. However economic activities and urbanization led to the separation of the two. Locally, these forests go by the name of Dungar. In this sanctuary, the tourists can find 179 birds species, climbers species, creeper species, 30 mammals, 33 reptiles species along with species of twiner plants. The commonly spotted birds and animals include grey nightjar, hanuman langur, plum headed parakeet and the mottled wood owl. Visitors can also opt for jeep tours with local guides.
Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: Junagadh, Gujarat 36231
Website: Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Safari - Indian: 2500 INR; Foreigner: 4000 INR (54 USD)
6. Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary
Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected sanctuary located in the Kalyanpur taluka in the district of Devbhumi Dwarka. The best time to visit this sanctuary is the period between autumn to spring. Visitors can find a wolf, jackals, bluebull, demoiselle cranes, large pelicans, spot-billed ducks and flamingoes. The sanctuary is defined by its high tidal zone, pastoral fields, lush green patches of grasses and a unique variety of shrubs.
Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: Kalyanpur, Gujarat 361320
Website: Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary
Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)
7. Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the western Satpura Range which is south of the Narmada River. This sanctuary includes a variety of forest areas including dry deciduous forest, riverine forests, the moist teak forest along with two water reservoirs and agricultural lands. The sanctuary also has a pristine waterfall named Zarwani located deep inside the forest. The birds and animals spotted here include Indian krait, Russell’s viper, Brooke’s house gecko, Bengal monitor, Indian rock python, Indian giant squirrel, tiger, Indian softshell turtle, Indian flap shell turtle and the ornate narrow-mouthed frog.
Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: 57, Pandya Bridge, Near Pandey Hotel, Nizampura, Vadodara, Gujarat 390002
Website: Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily )
Price: Small vehicle - 200 INR (3 USD); big vehicle - 1750 INR (24 USD)
8. Vansda National Park
Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the western Satpura Range which is south of the Narmada River. This sanctuary includes a variety of forest areas including dry deciduous forest, riverine forests, the moist teak forest along with two water reservoirs and agricultural lands. The sanctuary also has a pristine waterfall named Zarwani located deep inside the forest. The birds and animals spotted here include Indian leopard, Hanuman langur, four-horned antelope, rhesus macaque, small Indian civet, wild boar, common palm civet, Indian porcupine, jungle cat, barking deer, hyena and many more
Vansda National Park
Address: Vansda, Dangs, Gujarat 394710
Website: Vansda National Park
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Indian vehicle (7 - 15 people): 500 INR; non-Indian: 50 USD
9. Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary
Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Jambughoda Tehsil and the Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests’ ecoregion. The sanctuary is built on the early princely state of Jambughoda. The region has picturesque hiking locations with lush forests of teak, mahuda trees and bamboo. You can also find a beautiful rest house for visitors located on the banks of an irrigation reservoir. The region also has a camping site near the tribal habitats. Here one can find the famous barking deer, four-horned antelope, venomous snakes and the ungulates.
Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: Mota Raska, Zand Hanuman Road, Jambughoda, Panchmahal, Gujarat 391761
Website: Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary
Opening hours: 6am - 7pm (daily)
Price: 50 INR (1 USD approx.)
10. Blackbuck National Park
Blackbuck National Park is situated in the Bhavnagar district in Gujarat. The park spans across 34.08 square km (21.1 miles) with 5.05 square km (3.13 miles) of Prosopis shrubland. The park can be toured through a private vehicle or through a walk along the grassland lanes. Visitors can hire a local guide or bring along a private one for detailed insights. The park is known for the rare population of Macqueen’s bustards and sandgrouse. Other local animals like hyenas, jackals and wolves can also be spotted.
Blackbuck National Park
Address: Velavadar bhal, Velavadar, Gujarat 364313
Website: Blackbuck National Park
Opening hours: 7am - 1pm, 3pm - 7pm (daily)
Price: Indian vehicle: 20 INR; foreigner vehicle: 20 USD; single entry: 5 USD; photography: 5 USD
Admire the rare flora and fauna
These wildlife sanctuaries in Gujarat give the visitors a chance to spot rare species of birds, animals and plants. The visitors can also avail a jeep safari with a local guide to spot the endangered Asiatic lions. The sanctuaries are perfect for hiking and photography with scenic mountain views and lush vegetation. Some of these sanctuaries also have tourist accommodation and resort facilities to enhance the wildlife experience.
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