Wildlife Destinations And Natural Places To Visit In Ahmedabad

1. Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary (180 km, 2h 59 min)

The Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary is located in south central Gujarat and encompasses an area of about 130.38  km^2. The  Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary has magnificent forests of teak, shish, bamboos, khair, mahuda, and other plant species as well as majestic Indian fauna like leopard, hyena, jackal, sloth bear, civets, mongoose, wild boar, porcupine, four-horned antelopes, blue bull, and more. A variety of reptiles including crocodiles, venomous and non-venomous snakes as well as diverse avifauna is found in here. The Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary also has very picturesque settings with rolling hills, green patches of vegetation, and water tanks where animals come to drink water.

The nearest rail station is Shivrajpur (10 km), nearest bus station is Bodeli (12 km) and Shivrajpur (1km), and nearest airport is Ahmedabad (180 km), and Vadodara (90km) 

2. Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary (189 km, 3h 30 min)

Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary is one of the popular places to visit near Ahmedabad by nature lovers. The Sanctuary covers an area of 180 km2 in the Banaskantha district of Gujarat. It was established in May, 1978 with the primary aim to protect the sloth bear. Geographically, the Sanctuary is located to the south of the Thar Desert in the Jessore Hills area of the Aravalli Range. Along with the sloth bear, other animals found in the Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary include sambar, blue bull, porcupine, leopard, etc., 14 species of reptiles and amphibians like the Indian python, mugger crocodile, Indian-flap shelled turtle, cobra, vipers, kraits, monitor lizards, and more are also found here. 105 species of birds including the Asian open bill, red-necked falcon, red-headed vulture, white-winged black tit can also be sighted in the Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary. 

Ahmedabad airport (190 km) is the nearest airport. The Palampur railway station (45 km) is the nearest one to the Sanctuary.

3. Hingolgadh Nature Education Sanctuary (182 km, 3h 28 min)

A great place to introduce children to the various aspects of Indian flora and fauna, the Hingolgadh Nature Education Sanctuary is located in the Rajkot district of Gujarat. The sanctuary is home to about 230 species of birds, 19 species of snakes, leopard, hyena, wolf, flying fox, chinkara, etc. The Sanctuary organises camps and wildlife awareness programs regularly to educate the public about the flora and fauna of the country.

4. Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary (296 km, 4h 49 min)

The Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, is one the best natural places to visit near Ahmedabad and is located in the Jamnagar district of the state. It is famous for hosting over 300 species of migratory birds. This safe haven for birds encompasses rivers and creeks, freshwater and saltwater lakes as well as freshwater marshlands within its boundaries which provide the ideal habitat for the wintering avians. Located near the coast, the Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary hosts both sea birds and shore birds. Some notable examples of birds sighted here include the Indian spotted eagle, black ibis, Eurasian wigeon, brahminy kite, common crane, etc. Other wildlife like jungle cats, blue bull, wolves, jackals, snakes, mongoose can also be spotted here. 

The Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is about 12 km away from the nearest airport of Jamnagar. Direct flights from Mumbai to Jamnagar are available. Also, the Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary can be reached by road from Ahmedabad.

5. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary (65.8 km, 1h 30 min)

The Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary is a famous wildlife destination near Ahmedabad. It hosts a large 120.82-square-kilometre lake and marshes. Over 210 species of birds visit this Sanctuary each year in the winter and spring. The endangered wild ass and black buck can also be sighted here. Ducks, herons, storks, flamingoes, pelicans, grebes, bitterns, crakes, etc., are some of the types of birds that flock to the  Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary during winter. 

The Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary can be visited between 6am and 6pm. The best time to visit is during dawn and dusk. Visitors can spot birds by taking a boat ride on the lake or on land, they can take horse rides along the banks of the lake. Picnicking near the lake is a popular activity. An interactive interpretation centre also exists in the  Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary where visitors can learn about the lives of the migratory birds.

6. Velavadar Blackbuck National Park (144 km, 2h 37 min)

The Velavadar Blackbuck National Park in the Bhavnagar District of Gujarat was once the private hunting grounds of the maharajah of Bhavnagar. Today, it is a wildlife haven where hunting of animals by humans is strictly prohibited. The Velavadar Blackbuck National Park hugs the coast of the Gulf of Khambhat. The park not only protects the blackjack but also the lesser florican, an endangered endemic Indian bird. Other animals living in the Velavadar Blackbuck National Park  include jackals, foxes, striped hyenas, jungle cats, etc.

The closest airport is at Bhavnagar, the closes railway station is at Dhola (50 km).

7. Thol Lake Bird Sanctuary (31.8 km, 57 min)

The Thol Lake, one of the most interesting Ahmedabad tourist places, is an artificial lake in the Mehsana District in Gujarat. The lake hosts about 150 species of birds, most of which are migratory in nature. 60% of these birds are waterbirds. The flamingoes and sarus cranes are the main attractions of the Thol Lake Bird Sanctuary. Besides birds, mammals like striped hyena, blackbuck, golden jackal, and wolf can also be spotted here.