Gujurat and Tadoba

Gujurat lies in north west India, bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west. The region is known as the dry-state, and is essentially a lowland area with much desert-type habitat. This exciting tour offers excellent opportunities to see and photograph, a wide range of mammals and birds in open country. Highlights are expected to include ‘Asiatic’ Lion, Striped Hyaena, Wolf, ‘Desert’ Wildcat, Jungle Cat and Blackbuck but the birding is also outstanding and among the many species we will be hoping to see are White-tailed Plover with Sociable Plover, Demoiselle Crane and  Indian Courser to name a few.

We will then take an internal flight to Nagpur and transfer to Tadoba, one of India’s ‘quieter’ tiger reserves for a four-night stay during which we hope to find Tiger, Sloth Bear, Dhole and Gaur along with a range of commoner species.

Our first Gujurat mammals and birds tour ran very successfully in early 2015 (see trip report). Due to demand, we have upgraded this second departure to include a Tiger reserve. Yet again, this is only a small group tour and early booking is highly recommended.  

Likely mammals 

Selected birds

Day 1: Morning Qatar Airways departure from London Heathrow or Manchester* destined for Ahmedabad via Doha.

Day 2: Early morning arrival in Ahmedabad followed by three hour drive to Little Rann of Kutch. Late afternoon drive for birds and mammals. Night Rann Riders Lodge

Days 3-4: All day Little Rann of Kutch. Key mammals Asiatic Wild Ass, Nilgai, Indian Gazelle, Blackbuck, Golden Jackal & smaller mammals such as mice, Indian Gerbil & hedgehogs. Also excellent birding with opportunities for a range of palearctic wintering species and oriental residents including Macqueen’s Bustard and Sociable Plover. Night Dasada.

Day 5: Early departure for long drive to Gir Forest. Afternoon drive in Gir Forest. Night Gir Birding Lodge.

Days 6-7 Morning and afternoon drives in Gir Forest. Main targets ‘Asiatic’ Lion, Leopard, Chousingha, Sambar and Chital. Night Gir Birding Lodge.

Day 8: Morning game drive Gir followed by four hour transfer to Velavadar National Park. Late afternoon game drive in Velavadar. Night Blackbuck Lodge.

Days 9-10: Morning and afternoon drives in Velavadar National Park for mammals and birds. Key mammals include Striped Hyaena, ‘Indian’ Wolf (a possible future split), Jungle Cat, Blackbuck and Nilgai. Also excellent birding with the massive harrier roost being a particular highlight. Night Blackbuck Lodge.

Day 11: Transfer to Ahmedabad, fly to Nagpur and transfer to Tadoba (Jharana Jungle Lodge).

Days 12-14: Morning and afternoon drives in Tadoba. Targets Tiger, Sloth Bear, Dhole and Gaur. Nights Jharana Jungle Lodge.

Day 15: Final morning drive in Tadoba. Transfer to Nagpur, day rooms airport hotel. 

Dates:  20th February - 6th March 2020

Leaders: Richard Webb and local guides 

£4950 per person, sharing a twin room/tent.

£785 Single Supplement             

£950 Deposit per person

Group size: Will be between 6 - 8 plus the leader and local guides.

Price includes: economy class air travel including all airport and departuretaxes from London (*Manchester supplement £100pp), all transfers and ground transportation, accommodation in twin rooms/tents with private facilities, park entrance fees, all meals (except dinner Mumbai final night), bottled water, services of WildWings tour leader and local guides, all mammal and birding excursions as described, WildWings pre-tour information pack and day-to-day mammal and bird checklist.

Price excludes: Travel insurance, Indian visa fees (approximately £80 per person), dinner at Nagpur (last night), sanctuary camera fees, other drinks, laundry, souvenirs and items of a personal nature.