Top 10 National Parks of Gujarat

It is the land of the jungle kings, it is the land of the lions! Gir National Park is actually India’s largest abode of Asiatic lions. The lions share their abode with wild boar, hyena, sambar deer, wild cat, spotted deer, fox, nilgai and leopard. What else? 300 species of birds! This national park covered with rugged ridges and isolated hills is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty as well. And that is why we suggest you visit this national park during your Gujarat trip. Another suggestion here! Visit the national park in winter, from November to March and avoid the period between June to October since the national park remains closed. Also, remember the nearest airport is in Keshod.

The name obviously made it clear, Velavadar National Park is the proud home to a huge population of blackbuck. In the grassy area here, you will see herds of blackbucks roaming around. While blackbucks often steal the show, animals like nilgai, wolf, jungle cat, fox and jackal here are also something to look forward to! And for bird lovers, the national park has more than 120 species of birds and some of which are flamingos, pelicans and storks. Now coming to planning a trip here. The nearest airport is in Bhavnagar and the best time for you to visit is anytime from October to March.

In the Gulf of Kutch, has been built the first-ever marine conservatory of the country, named the Marine National Park. Land at Mysore airport and then reach this national park via road. Natural beauty, a diverse range of flora and fauna, you will get it all here. Visit between October and June to enjoy all at their best. There are three separate divisions, the coastal sea, the salty marshland and the mangrove backwaters. But what makes it a unique and special place is the mysterious marine creatures. Sea cucumbers, sea urchins, sponges, corals and mollusks are to name a few!

On the list of famous wildlife sanctuaries in Gujarat, the one in Jambughoda is a must-have! The bounty of flora and fauna is extraordinary here. There are two regions here, Targol and Kada. The Kada region is blessed with dense forest and green hills. There are also some great options for staying in Kada. Before you ask, here’s what you can expect to spot when you are here: blue bull, wild boar, sloth bear, jackal, hyena and leopard. The best way to reach this Gujarat sanctuary is to land at the Vadodara airport, followed by a drive and the best time to visit is October to March.

Dense forests filled with several types of plants, trees and medical herbs, housing a variety of endangered species of animals! This is what awaits you in the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, a prominent name on the list of wildlife sanctuaries in Gujarat. Just take a flight to Porbandar and make sure to visit between November to March which is the best time to visit this sanctuary. Upon reaching, you will get to see Asiatic lion, leopard, wild boar, hyena, wolf, blue bull and jackal. For bird lovers, there are migratory flamingos, spotted eagles and crested eagles.

Board a flight to Surat and then come to the Vansda National Park via road. And when you are here, don’t underestimate this national park because of its size. It may be small, but that didn’t stop it from housing a large population of wildlife in India. Grey hornbill, racket-tailed drongo, paradise flycatcher, yellow back sunbird, leaf birds, peafowls, forest spotted owlet, jungle babble and mongooses, the list goes on! What else? The thick green forests and the Ambika river flowing through the forests enhance the beauty of the national park!

Since you already boarded a flight to Surat and visited the Vansda National Park, go ahead and visit the Purna Wildlife Sanctuary also. Because it is easily accessible from the Surat airport. Rolling hills, small valleys, wide fields and small tribal villages scattered through the sanctuary are definitely major attractions here. But what draws people the most to this sanctuary is its rich wildlife! Indian civet cat, barking deer, common mongoose, leopard, bonnet macaque, python, hyena, flying squirrel, chital and sambar, you can see them all! The best time to visit? October to February.

Another wildlife sanctuary on the Gulf of Kutch, the Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is divided into two parts, the agricultural lands and the wetlands. And in these lands, you can spot different types of animals like wolves, blue bull, jackal and jungle cat as well as many species of birds, including billed ducks, demoiselle cranes and flamingoes. In case you are already planning, remember, the nearest airport to the sanctuary is in Jamnagar. And the best time to visit is between October and March.

This is another sanctuary on our list that is a protected area for Asiatic lions. That means you will get to spot this species here in large numbers. What else can you spot are leopard, lion, pangolin, spotted deer, sambar, nilgai and chinkara. The tall grass, hilly tracks and deciduous trees here are also quite famous. If you ask us, you should definitely board a flight to Diu and then come to visit this sanctuary. It will be worth your time. And visit during the winter months because the sanctuary remains closed during the summer months.

We are at our final destination and this one is going to be equally amazing as the previous spots on our list. For visiting this sanctuary, the nearest airport is in Vadodara and the best time is the period between November to February. Its deep valleys, stunning landscapes, vast terrains and lush greenery will give you a warm welcome. The sanctuary also houses some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Gujarat. Coming to the fauna here! You will get to see sloth bears, barking deer, pangolin and leopard as well as many species of bird.

And with that, our list of the top 10 national park and wildlife sanctuaries of Gujarat comes to an end. Now, it is time for you to begin exploring these wildlife treasure troves one by one!