Gir Birding Lodge 

The Gir Birding Lodge is located in a large mango orchard at the entrance to the  Gir Wildlife Sanctuary (Gujarat, India). 

Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary is a 1412 sq km tract of dry deciduous forests, acacia scrub, evergreen and semi-evergreen flora and grasslands, fed by  rivers and streams. Among the many water-bodies in the reserve is the Kamleshwar Dam, known for its birdlife and for its large crocodile population.

This wildlife reserve is the last abode of the Asiatic lion  and is also known for its leopard population. Other mammals that could be seen during game-watching drives are  sambar ( India ’s largest deer), spotted deer, the world's only four-horned antelope, bluebull, Indian gazelle, wild boar, langur, jackal, jungle cat, rusty-spotted cat, striped hyena and black-naped hare.

Gir is also interesting for birders with about 250 species on the forest department checklist. For those interested in herpetology, Gir has a crocodile breeding centre and is an important habitat for mugger or marsh crocodile. Many species of snakes and lizards can be seen in the sanctuary as also fresh water turtles and terrapins at the rivers and possibly the star tortoise.

Geared-up for birders and other nature lovers, the lodge has knowledgeable resident naturalists to take guests for birding walks and excursions, a natural history library and arrangements for game-watching drives in the sanctuary

GETTING THERE

• Flights to Rajkot & Bhavnagar from where it is a four-hour drive to Sasan Gir.

• Trains to Junagadh from where there are buses and taxis to Gir.

• Ahmedabad is 7 hours away and is also an international airport.

• Transport can be arranged at an extra cost.  

Distances :
Rajkot - 160kms & Diu - 130 km Junagadh - 65 kms, Veraval - 60 kms, Ahmedabad - 360 kms.

Accommodation : The lodge has two rooms in the main building (sharing a bath) and 4 cottages with attached bathrooms, featuring western toilet fittings, hot-and-cold showers. Comfortably furnished, the rooms and cottages are surrounded by groves of the famous Kesar Mango of the Gir hills and other vegetation ensuring that a good number of birds come into the property itself.
The dining and drawing areas on the first floor of the lodge are airy and have large windows and verandas that are ideal to enjoy the view of the forests and watch birds in the orchard and nearby sanctuary.

Cuisine : North Indian and western set-menu meals are served in these rooms that have a superb view of the deciduous forests from large windows, doors and verandahs. We also entertain special requests for meals like traditional Gujarati/Kathiawadi regional dishes, North-West Indian street-food specialties, Kumaoni-style Chinese and of course the famous seafood from Veraval (a major fishing pier for lobster, crab, prawn and seafish like pomfret and kingfish) one hour away.

WALKS : Our resident naturalists have identified pleasant walking routes for birdwatching, picnic lunches or scenic nature trails in the forests near the lodge.  Ask for the services of our resident birdwatcher if you want to go for a birding walk or for a nature trek. Our cook will be happy to pack you lunch for a picnic in the forests or at riverside sites near the lodge.  

TARIFF (in INR) valid till June 15, 2008
Accommodation with breakfast, lunch & dinner only. Tax extra.

Terms & Conditions

• All tariffs are on per night basis and are in Indian rupees

• Taxes as applicable

• Extra bed for an adult or a child will be charged @ Rs. 900 per extra bed (ground mattress) with breakfast, lunch & dinner.

• These rates are valid till June 15, 2008. Rates subject to change without notice.