Last Updated on March 25, 2024 by admin
Looking for an offbeat wildlife location near Ahmedabad? Then Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar is your answer. Learn all about it here in this blog.
The cityscape turned into an industrial area to a barren land until I reached Dholera from Ahmedabad. From there onwards it turned into golden grasslands till the eye could see. We were driving into these grasslands to see blackbucks live in Gujarat’s Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar. It was highly endorsed on the back of Spicejet’s boarding pass for months and I kept promising myself to visit it saying it only 3 hours from Ahmedabad, I can visit any day! But that day only came now.
Blackbucks are Blackbuck National Park’s signature species, and there is guaranteed sighting of this corkscrew horns antelope, either peacefully grazing, or crossing the road, or jumping out into a meadow.
Table of Contents
About Blackbuck National Park
Blackbuck National Park is spread over 34 square kilometres, and divided into two parts: the Grassland Area and the Wetland Area. A narrow road divides the park and visitors can enter both of these areas.
In yesteryear, this was the private grassland of the Maharaja of Bhavnagar for hunting blackbucks with his famous hunting cheetahs. In post-Independence India, this park was established in 1976 and doubled in size in 1980 protecting the wildlife. The cheetahs also do not exist.
Wildlife in Blackbuck National Park
The threatened species of Indian blackbuck has a population of over 5000 in the grasslands of Velavadar. They are a sight to behold, with the adult males sprinting off the ground, a behaviour designed to advertise the antelope’s fitness and ward off predators. You can tell the males by their corkscrew horns, pale black upper bodies, and white underbellies. Females and juveniles lack horns and are a sandy brown colour. The other major mammal, in the park is the nilgai or blue bull. Other easy-to-spot mammals include wild boar, the Indian grey mongoose, and the black naped hare.
Apart from Blackbuck, Velavadar is classified as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International, and is a birder’s delight, with over 200 species of birds found in the grassland. It is mainly popular as the world’s largest roosting site of Harriers (pallid, montagu’s, western marsh, and hen harriers) which migrate in winters. Other birds in grassland include larks, francolin, stonechat, etc. and in wetlands include greater flamingos, pelicans, common cranes, painted storks etc. The grasslands are also a raptors’ paradise which include short toed eagle, steppe eagle, tawny eagle, eastern imperial eagle, short eared owl, etc.
Predators such as the Indian striped hyena, the golden jackal, the Indian fox, jungle cat and Indian grey wolf have also made this area their home. Many species of reptiles also live here, such as the saw-scaled viper, Indian cobra and common krait.
Safari Cost And Timings
Unlike most national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India, visitors can take their own cars into the grasslands. The track is cleared marked which needs to be followed. It is compulsory to have a guide with you in the car. Visitors can hire a private safari vehicle as it gets really difficult to get bird photos in flight from your closed hatch of the car. Here is the cost break up (as of December 2019).
Rs. 500: Entry fees per vehicle (do consider one seat of guide)
Rs. 400: Forest department guide fees
Rs. 200: Per camera
Rs. 2000: Private safari (plus guide fees and camera fee)
There are 3 safari timings:
7 am to 10am
10am to 1pm
4pm to 7pm
Accommodation at Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar
There are two options for those who want to stay at Velavadar.
Forest Lodge
It is owned and managed by the forest department and has 2 categories of rooms which are basic, clean and with food options.
Guest house: Available with 4 rooms called Kaliyar Bhavan
Cost: Rs. 150 per person
Dormitory rooms: 2 dormitories which can accommodate upto 9 people each
Cost: Rs. 1350 for the whole dormitory
Both accommodations are located within the park, surrounded by grasslands with wildlife visible from the lodge itself. You can reserve the rooms by writing to [email protected] and paying online. Meals cost Rs. 150 per person and Rs. 40 for breakfast.
It is a luxurious hotel with a multi cuisine restaurant and private pools.
When to visit Blackbuck National Park
Indian summers (March – June) are unbearable with temperatures hovering over 40°C. However it is a good time for sightings as animals congregate near water sources and the grass is sparse. However migratory birds are not present during this time. The park is closed from mid June to mid October. Winters (October to February) offer the best of bird watching and animal gazing with pleasant temperatures during the day.
How to reach Blackbuck National Park
By road:
Velavadar is 65 km from Bhavnagar and 150 km from Ahmedabad. Government run buses (GSRTC) have good frequency from all major Gujarat cities to Bhavnagar. If you are traveling via road from other states, you have to reach Ahmedabad first.
By train:
Bhavnagar is the closest railway station. You have to travel by road for further reaching Velavadar.
By air:
The closest airport is Ahmedabad.
Sustainable tips for visiting Blackbuck National Park
- Even if visitors are allowed to take their own car, visitors are not allowed to get down. Earlier it was allowed, but now it is not. There are camera traps and you will be fined if you get down. You are however allowed to get down near the wetland.
- Wear camouflage colours which will easily blend with the jungle – shades of green, brown and grey.
- It is totally understandable to get excited when you spot a wild animal in the grassland. But do not make noises – whisper if necessary.
- Do not wear perfumes or body spray in the jungle.
- Carry water and food but do not dispose plastic or leftover food in the grasslands. Keep it in your bag or gypsy and dispose safely once you return to the hotel.
- Do not feed food to wild animals.
Reading Inspiration from Gujarat
Enjoy Indian Wildlife? Read more wildlife posts here
- For Nilgiri tahr: Eravikulam National Park, Munnar
- For Sloth Bears: Satpuda National Park
- For tiger: Jim Corbett National Park , Tadoba National Park
- For Asiatic lion: Gir National Park
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13 comments
I have heard about this park so many times, but never thought its too beautiful to spot this blckbuck.
This post shows very detailed information on spotting wildlife. I would love to go someday here too.Gujarat has so many hidden gems and its sad tourism board is not promoting them.Great post ketaki,
I would love to check out this park, not just because of its natural beauty but because of the wildlife. You saw a lot! And some of these animals I have never seen in my life before like the blackbucks and some of the birds. Would love to check this place out if I was in the region and get happy snappy with the camera.
We had to skip Gujarat during our last trip to India, but can’t wait to go back and explore the Blackbuck National Park! These parks are usually high on our travel plans, and it’s pretty rare as you say to be able to go with our own cars. Having a guide is so important, to avoid people going places they shouldn’t and to learn about the animals we come across.
This looks like such an amazing park. The wilderness and animals are so lovely and unique! Definitely a must-visit.
Travelling to India hasn’t been on my radar for a safari. Like others no doubt, I automatically think of Africa. Visiting national parks are another good reason to visit India!
I just love national parks! The possibility for animals to live almost undisturbed is simply great. You’ve had great animal sightings, I don’t think I’ve seen any of them in the wild.
Susanne
My girls love all National Parks, there is nothing better than see animals in nature. I love the photo of the sprinting blackbucks.
What an amazing experience, and your photo of the leaping blackbuck is outstanding. It would be such a cool experience to visit the Velavador National Park.
The ability to see corkscrew horde antelope would be one of the great reasons to visit the Blackbuck National Park. As long as they stayed way off in the distance. Good to know that this preserve has helped to protect the population. I found the fee structure fascinating. Great to know you can drive in. But interesting that you pay for each camera. Unless this means they give yo a camera.
The Blackbuck national park looks like a great destination. Did you have the place mostly to yourself? It would not have been too crowded, I guess.
I would love to visit Blackbuck National Park on our next trip to Ahmedabad – I didn’t realize it was only 3 hours from the city! I like the idea of hiring the private safari vehicle for better views of the birds in flight. Thanks for sharing such a detailed guide and the sustainable tips- it will definitely help with planning a visit to this park to see the abundant wildlife in the natural surroundings.
I have never heard of this park in particular but I love the idea of all the wild life running around. Whenever we decide to hop on over to India We will be sure to check it out!
What a cool experience! I agree, we always think the destinations that are close to us and the easiest to do, but in fact they can be the hardest because we don’t often get around to it. I love how the hunting ground has turned into a sanctuary.