A 10 day tour through the vast and unique saline flats of India’s largest protected area in the northern part of the state of Gujarat, incorporating visits to the Little Rann of Kachchh Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Greater Rann of Kachchh in India’s northwest extremity.

Species highlights:  Indian Courser, Great Indian and Houbara Bustards, White-browed (Stoliczka’s) Bushchat, Grey Hypocolius, Desert Warbler, Trumpeter Finch, four species of sandgrouse, thousands of overwintering cranes, storks, and flamingos, and pelicans, plus Asiatic Wild Ass and a host of smaller desert mammals.

Best season to visit:  November to February

Tour price:  on request - please contact us for availability & prices

Day 1:  Ahmadabad

Arrive in Ahmadabad*.  Transfer to Dasada (2hrs) in the Little Rann of Kachchh.

Days 2-3:  Little Rann of Kachchh

The Little Rann of Kachchh lies at the furthest inland extension of the Gulf of Kachchh, and is a region transformed by geological uplift and the resultant marine transgression into an immense area of salt flats, inundated to a depth of about 0.5m during the monsoon when it becomes one of the world’s largest saline wetlands. This unique environment forms part of the largest protected area in India - the principal role of which is the strict protection of the last remaining population of Khur, or Asiatic Wild Ass.  Spend two full days exploring the birdlife of the Little Rann, astonishingly rich given the inhospitable conditions and almost featureless landscape.   Birds are concentrated around the bets, elevated patches of salt-free scrub and grassland, as well as around Bajana Creek and nearby Nawa Talao., key species including Bluethroat, Blue-headed Rock-thrush, Desert Warbler, Graceful Prinia, Rufous-tailed Scrub-robin, Spotted Sandgrouse, Yellow-legged and Barred Buttonquails, Indian Courser, rarer Cream-coloured Courser, and White-tailed Lapwing, with the possibility of rare Sociable Plover.  13 species of Lark have been recorded in the area, including Greater Hoopoe, Bimaculated, and Sykes’s.  Resident Sarus Cranes and Lesser Flamingos are accompanied in the winter months by thousands of Demoiselle and Common Cranes, and Greater Flamingos, alongside Great White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Painted, Black-necked, Black, and White Storks, Black, Glossy, and Black-headed Ibis, Collared, Oriental, and Small Pratincoles, and huge congregations of ducks. 

Day 4:  Little Rann of Kachchh – Moti Virani

Depart the Little Rann of Kachchh early morning for a full day driving north and east into the Great Rann of Kachchh to Moti Virani near the town of Bhuj (7hrs), birding en-route where we can expect to find many of the region’s numerous raptors, which include Bonelli’s, Short-toed, and Eastern Imperial Eagles, Long-legged Buzzard, Red-headed Falcon, and six species of vulture. 

Days 5-8:  Great Rann of Kachchh

Four full days exploring what is perhaps the bleakest, dustiest, most desolate region in India from a base at Moti Virani.  This is in fact a part of the Thar Desert which stretches north and west to Rajasthan, and into the Sind district of southern Pakistan.  During the dry season this is a land of desert and sun-baked alluvial mudflats, however the inherently saline soil is naturally suited to the growth of nutritious grasses which, along with great stretches of water in the dhands, natural depressions left by the monsoon, and dry thorn forest that punctuates the otherwise flat landscape, provide refuge to a number of sought after birds.  Despite fist appearances the region is particularly rich in birds, in particular raptors, waterfowl, waders, and larks, and is the only known wintering site of Grey Hypocolius in India, which we will search for in the grasslands of Banni and Fulay.  Two of our primary targets in the region are Great Indian and Houbara Bustards in the Naliya Grasslands, also a breeding area of Lesser Florican, although this secretive bird is rarely seen outside of the monsoon when it displays conspicuously.  Other key species include White-browed (Stoliczka’s) Bushchat, Trumpeter Finch, White-naped Tit, Marshall’s Iora, White-bellied Minivet, Indian Courser, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Merlin, and waterfowl including scarce Marbled Duck and rarer Baikal Teal in Chhari Dhand.  A visit to the coast will provide the chance to see a host of gulls and waders, with the possibility of the striking Crab Plover.  Some of the more distinctive mammals of the region include Hyaena, Desert Cat, rarer Caracal, Chinkara or Indian Gazelle, Long-eared Hedgehog, and Indian Desert Jird.

Day 9:  Bhuj – Mumbai

Depart Moti Virani for the return drive to Dasada (7hrs), birding en-route.

Day 10:  Dasada - Ahmadabad

Spend the morning in the Little Rann of Kachchh, departing late afternoon for the return drive to Ahmedabad (2hrs).

Day 11:  Depart

Depart Ahmadabad on your onward journey.

* This tour starts and ends in Ahmadabad, a city connected by a limited selection of international flights.  It is equally possible to begin this tour in Mumbai or Delhi, which are better connected internationally, using domestic flights to/from Ahmedabad and/or Bhuj.

ACCOMMODATION

A comfortable, traditionally styled wildlife lodge at Dasada with private en-suite facilities.  Our accommodation at Moti Virani, run by a research and conservation organization, will be basic but clean and comfortable.

TRANSPORT

Jeeps, cars, or minibus to travel, depending on group size, and 4x4 jeeps for game drives within the Little Rann of Kachchh.  In the Great Rann of Kachchh most birding will be on foot.

CLIMATE                                                                                                                  

In this desert region, extremes of temperature will be pronounced.  Daytime temperatures are expected to be warm to hot, with cool to cold nights and early mornings.  Rain is extremely unlikely.


For more detailed information, or to book this tour, please contact us.