Mumbai – Velavadar – Sasan Gir : Road Tripping

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We had been planning for a long time to visit the Blackbuck National Park in Velavadar, Gujarat. And when we finally found some time, the summers were beginning to set in, and we decided to make a quick trip. We drove from Mumbai to Velavadar via NH8, and stayed a night at the Khaliar Bhavan, Blackbuck National Park. There is a beautiful but tiny grasslands National Park at Velavadar which houses a few blackbucks, wolves, hyenas and many birds. April was a good time to spot the large mammals, but post monsoons, this place is a must visit for the Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus), a highly endangered bird. The next day after a brief safari at the Blackbuck National Park, we moved ahead towards Sasan Gir. The roads were generally nice and not too crowded, and passed through beautiful farms on either side. We passed through Sihor, an ancient city which has a hill fort as well, but we didn’t have the time to stop for a visit. We like to keep stopping for photos or for a decent looking place for food/chai or snacks. And we found plenty of such opportunities. We stayed for about two nights at Sasan Gir, at a place we will not recommend. From Sasan Gir, we went back to Blackbuck National Park, spent a night there, and then went via Wadwana Wetlands to JambuGhoda, a delightful little palace in a sanctuary, and a world heritage site at Champaner – Pavagad. So our journey was: Mumbai – Velavadar – Sasan Gir – Velavadar – Wadwana – Jambughoda – Mumbai. The roads are generally good throughtout.    

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Dry mud flats on either side of the road right outside of the Blackbuck National Park.
Approaching Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar.
Approaching Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar.
In Sihor, we went to take an inquisitive look at an old colonial building, now housing for government department.
In Sihor, we went to take an inquisitive look at an old colonial building, now housing for government department.

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Rural view of Gujarat.
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An old man checks out a notice on the way to Sasan Gir.
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Commuting in Gujarat.
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Tapi, a restaurant in Baroda, had one of the best Gujarati Thalis we had eaten on this trip.

 

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The gate to the Gir Forest at Sasan. Strangely after crossing this gate we had to drive for at least a couple of kilometers inside the park, with some other local traffic on trails, before we reached our hotel.
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A beautiful tree with a bloom of fresh red leaves.
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A local vehicle made of old motorcycles in Gujarat.
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Food on the highway was generally spicy, a limited menu but different tastes from Maharashtra.
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The menu. Chane ki dal, kaddu ki sabzi, some mixed sabzi, papad, chapatis and a salad of tomatoes and onions.
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What looks nice industrial effluents, spill on the road from a factory far away.
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Dry mud flats. Once a possibly great environment for various birds, now surrounded with intense industrialization.
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The Wadwana Lake becomes winter home to thousands of migratory birds.
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From Wadwana we went to Jambughoda Palace in Jambughoda.
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The drive from Jambughoda to Champaner is one of the best we have had.

 

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Champaner is some 25 km or so from Jambughoda Palace. the drive from Jambughoda to Champaner is one of teh most beautiful I have had.
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A drive into the Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary.
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The highway near Velavadar has these expansive mud flats on either side.
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An old haveli on the highway.

[box type=”success” width=”100%” ]The drive: Mumbai – Velavadar – Sasan Gir – Velavadar – Wadwana – Jambughoda – Mumbai. Where to Stay: Khaliyar Bhavan Forest rest House in Velavadar or The BlackBuck Lodge for a luxury Stay. In Sasan Gir: There are plenty pf places, but where we stayed was a disaster. So wait for an update. Jambughoda: The Jambughoda Palace is THE place to stay here. The food: Is nice throughout. Avoid eating uncooked stuff. There is nothing to eat at Champaner Pavagad.[/box]  

 

8 thoughts on “Mumbai – Velavadar – Sasan Gir : Road Tripping”

  4. Correction – Strangely after crossing this gate we had to drive for at least a couple of kilometers inside the park, with some other local traffic on trails, before we ‘hot’ our hotel.

    before we hot our hotle or got… the drive way looks lovely, in the latter part, Also Tapi hotle Gujarathi food sounds nice…looks like there because of industrialisation some destruction as taken place…

    The first Blackbuck National Park must have been nice…but I think it was the driving which was the most charming element in the trip. Good…

    Reply
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  6. We are considering a 3 day trip from Bombay to Champaner and back
    We are staying at Baroda

    How good is Jambughoda palace ? And the sanctuary ? Their website didnt look too inspiring

    Reply

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