Table of Contents
National Parks of Gujarat, renowned for their vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and picturesque beaches, are also celebrated for their rich wildlife. The state offers a variety of natural habitats, including grasslands, forests, and coastal areas, making it a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Gujarat is home to several endangered species, which can be explored through its top wildlife sanctuaries. Must-visit sanctuaries include Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Velavadar Blackbuck National Park, Gir National Park, and Marine National Park. If you’re looking for a wildlife adventure and a deeper connection with nature, explore these top 10 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Gujarat for an unforgettable holiday experience.
1. Gir National Park
Gir National Park, situated around 43 km from Somnath and 60 km from Junagadh, is one of Gujarat’s top attractions. Spanning nearly 1412 sq km, it is the only place in India home to the largest population of Asiatic lions. In addition to lions, the park shelters wild boars, sambar deer, spotted deer, Nilgai, and predators like hyenas, leopards, and wild cats. It also hosts over 300 species of birds. With its distinctive landscape of hills and ridges, Gir National Park offers breathtaking natural beauty and thrilling wildlife encounters, making it a must-visit destination in Gujarat for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
2. Velavadar National Park
Founded in 1976, Velavadar Blackbuck National Park is situated in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. Once a hunting ground for the Maharaja of Bhavnagar, it is now renowned for its rare population of blackbucks, with over 3,000 roaming the park. The park is also home to more than 120 bird species, including flamingos, pelicans, and storks. You can also spot mammals such as nilgai, jungle cats, jackals, foxes, and wolves. Velavadar Blackbuck National Park offers a perfect opportunity to create lasting memories with friends and family, surrounded by its diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes.
3. Marine National Park
Located in the Gulf of Kutch, Marine National Park in Gujarat is a sanctuary for a rich variety of marine life, including sea cucumbers, sponges, sea urchins, molluscs, corals, and various fish species. The park comprises 42 islands, with Narara and Pirotan being the most popular for marine exploration. Originally designated as a marine sanctuary in 1980, it was upgraded to a national park in 1982. The park is divided into three main zones: coastal waters, mangrove backwaters, and salty marshlands. Visitors can witness marine creatures like sea anemones, stingrays, octopuses, pufferfish, sea stars, and crabs. Marine National Park in Jamnagar opens at 9 AM, offering plenty of opportunities to explore its vibrant marine biodiversity throughout the day.
4. Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary
Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary, located 70 km from Vadodara, Gujarat, is a popular destination for families, youngsters, and wildlife enthusiasts. Once part of the Jambughoda princely state, it covers an area of 130 sq km and boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna. This sanctuary is an ideal spot for a memorable weekend getaway. Visitors can encounter animals such as wild boars, blue bulls, sloth bears, hyenas, jackals, and leopards in its varied natural landscapes.
5. Barda Wildlife Sanctuary
Covering 192 square kilometres, Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is a popular tourist destination in Gujarat, located just 15 kilometres from Porbandar. Surrounded by dams, streams, and rivers, the sanctuary is nestled within lush green forests. Also known as Rana Barda and Jam Barda, it is home to endangered birds, mammals, and reptiles. Visitors can spot leopards, snakes, crocodiles, lions, wolves, chinkaras, and beautiful birds like spotted flamingos and crested eagles. Barda Wildlife Sanctuary offers the perfect setting for adventurous tours and nature enthusiasts alike.
6. Vansda National Park
Vansda National Park, located in Gujarat’s Navsari district, is one of the state’s most picturesque parks, just a short drive from Vansda town. Once part of the King of Vansda’s estate, it now offers lush, dense forests with towering trees reaching up to 120 feet, making it a paradise for wildlife lovers. The park is home to 450 plant species and around 115 bird species, including the grey hornbill, paradise flycatcher, racket-tailed drongo, and yellow-backed sunbird. Visitors can spot wildlife such as mongooses, barking deer, jungle cats, leopards, hyenas, and the globally threatened forest-spotted owlet. Vansda National Park is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts seeking diverse flora and fauna in a peaceful and scenic environment.
7. Purna Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the Dang district of Gujarat, Purna Wildlife Sanctuary features rolling hills and small valleys, creating a picturesque landscape of lush green forests, tribal villages, fields, and rivers. Known for receiving the highest rainfall in the region, the sanctuary covers 160 square kilometres of reserved forest. It is home to a variety of elusive species, including barking deer, Indian civet cats, common mongooses, bonnet macaques, leopards, pythons, flying squirrels, hyenas, chitals, sambars, four-horned antelopes, grey jungle fowls, and various flycatchers. Purna Wildlife Sanctuary offers a rich and diverse natural habitat for wildlife enthusiasts to explore.
8. Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary
Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary, established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1988, is a popular destination in Gujarat. Located along the Gulf of Kutch coast, it spans 332.87 hectares, divided by agricultural lands and wastelands. The sanctuary is home to 12 mammal species, 88 bird species, and eight reptile species. Visitors can spot animals such as wolves, jackals, blue bulls, jungle cats, and mongooses. Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary is also known for its rare plant species, including Prosopis Juliflora, Suaeda, Dichanthium, Salvadora, and Capparis. It’s the perfect location for a peaceful escape from daily life, offering an opportunity to reconnect with nature.
9. Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary
Located near Gir Forest National Park, Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the five protected areas for Asiatic lions. Spanning 18.22 square kilometres, the sanctuary is known for its hilly terrain, tall grass, and semi-dry deciduous trees. Before India’s independence, this area was part of the Bhavnagar royal estate and was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 2004. Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary is home to over 12 lions, as well as leopards, spotted deer, pangolins, sambar, chinkara, and nilgais (blue bulls). It’s an ideal destination for those looking to enjoy natural landscapes and breathtaking views.
10. Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
Established in 1982, Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is a renowned national park in Gujarat. Located in the western Satpura Range, south of the Narmada River, the sanctuary gets its name from the temple of Lord Shiva, which was once in the area but is now submerged under the Sardar Sarovar Dam. A new Shoolpaneshwar temple has been built near Rajpipla.
The sanctuary is famous for its breathtaking valleys, rolling terrain, majestic waterfalls, quiet rock formations, lush greenery, and scenic landscapes. It’s home to a variety of wildlife, including sloth bears, pangolins, barking deer, leopards, and numerous bird and reptile species. Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary offers the perfect opportunity to experience nature and wildlife in its purest form.
Conclusion
Gujarat is home to some of India’s most captivating national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. These protected areas feature a variety of landscapes, from lush forests and stunning waterfalls to peaceful rivers and rugged terrain. Each sanctuary and park serves as a sanctuary for diverse wildlife species, offering unique opportunities to witness nature’s beauty and rich biodiversity. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a wildlife photographer, or someone simply seeking tranquillity, the top 10 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of Gujarat offer unforgettable experiences and a chance to deeply connect with the natural world.
