Latest Update : For the upcoming season 2024/25, safari bookings are open for Gir National Park. Always book your safari in advance.
Offering a magnificent experience of traversing through thick canopies, Vansda National Park is a rich wildlife destination in Gujarat, known for its landscapes. A magical view of sunlight filtering through the dense cover of leaves creating a tyndall effect; these are the things Vansda National park is most famous for. Spanning over 24 square kilometres of dense forest, Vansda National park has abundance of reptiles and venomous snakes like Russel viper, Cobra, and Kraits.
Once owned by the Maharaja of Vansda, now this wildlife oasis is only inhabited by native tribes. A safari into this park takes you into territory of a couple of hundreds of flora and fauna species. But Mammals, insects and reptiles are not the only draw of the park. Vansda National Park is best known for its populous bird life. More than 115 species of avifauna, including resident and migratory birds, call this biosphere their home. A normal day in the Vansda National Park includes the sound of croaking, chirping, and humming of various insects coupled by frequent sights of some exotic bird species.
Settled around the stream of Ambika river, Vansda National park also offers some magnificent landscape views of pure nature.
Vansda National Park is a thick and dense forest area mostly covered into canopies made from thick and tall trees weaved together by creepers all over. Nevertheless, the region boasts a botanical diversity within. It has more than 400 species of flowering plants with orchids as its main attraction. You can find the shades of orchids in separate fields and also along the trees. Most flowering beds follow the Ambika river in the Vansda National Park.
The park is a mosaic of moist and dry deciduous trees which includes towering teak and hardy Kusum trees. It also has wild Mango trees carving a wild groove in the forest. Bamboo thickets and other plants fill up the gaps of the park, making a dense canopy through which sunlight filters and teem with life.
Other floral species in Vansda National Park includes Sadad, Humb, Dudhkod, Umrao, Tanach, Ambla, Sisam, Khakhro, Kadad, Timru, Mahudo, Asan, Shimlo, Chopadi, etc.
Vansda National park is the place of some intriguing animal species of India. The most important animal in the park is the Majestic Indian leopard. However, they are nocturnal and more active during night time, nevertheless are sighted during day too. Other animals here are the Dhole, wild Asian dog with reddish fur and a social hunting behavior, Rhesus macaques and langur monkey swinging through the trees, Palm civet, a small mammal with an odor akin to musk, and wild boar. Herbivore species in the national park include the elegant four horned antelopes, ferocious wild boar, gracious spotted deer, and elusive barking deer. Other interesting animal species in Vansda Park are the striped hyenas, flying squirrel, Indian porcupine, jungle cat, etc.
Vansda National park is also home to more than 150 bird species. It becomes a bird watcher's paradise during the migration season when colonies of avifauna migrate to south Asia in winter. Gray hornbills, majestic peacock, colourful paradise flycatcher, spotted owlet, woodpecker, yellow back sunbird, pompadour pigeon, jungle babbler, etc are the most popular avifauna in the park.
Vansda National park is located in the Navsari district of Gujarat, which experiences a hot and humid climate during summer. Thus, the best time to visit the Vansda National park is between the months of November and March, during winter. The cooler months receive a comfortable temperature for outdoor explorations. The temperature in these months ranges between 10 and 30 degree celsius (50-86 degrees Fahrenheit). However, the park is unfavorable to visit during monsoon, it converts into a perfect collage of lush greenery after monsoon rains, in winter.
Some Frequently Asked Questions About Gir
Get In TouchThe park is usually open during daylight hours, typically from sunrise to sunset. You can book a safari in the park a few days before your visit.
Hiring a guide is not mandatory while visiting Vansda National Park. However, it can be a good idea, especially if you're interested in learning more about the park's flora and fauna. A guide can help you spot wildlife, navigate the trails, and share interesting facts about the park's history and ecology.
The best time to visit Vansda National Park is during the cooler months, from November to March. The weather is pleasant during this time, and the park is lush and green. Also, after the monsoon season, humidity is low in winter, making it ideal for exploring the park and spotting wildlife.
Vansda National Park is located near Saputara in Gujarat, India. The nearest airport is Surat Airport (STV), which is about 160 kilometers from the park. You can hire a taxi or cab from the airport to reach the park. The park is also accessible by train from major cities in Gujarat. The nearest railway station is Saputara Railway Station, which is about 10 kilometers from the park. From the station, you can hire a rickshaw or taxi to reach the park entrance.
