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Introduction

Accommodations

Blackbuck Lodge, as the name suggests, is situated along the Velavadar Blackbuck National Park. The national park spread over 34.52 sq km area is a paradise for those interested in natural history. As you travel in your jeep in the park, it is a magical journey through the wilderness. Camera and binoculars in hand, cautious to any movement and ears alert to the sound of the forest. This is the heightened sensory of the Blackbuck National Park. The park has grasslands, shrub lands, saline plains and mud flats, which support a variety of grass, 95 species of flowering plants, 14 species of mammals, over 140 species of birds and many reptiles. The Alang and Paravalio Rivers, three artificial ponds, two check dams and nearby coastal marshes provide an ideal habitat for aquatic flora and fauna. From a conservation viewpoint, a unique feature of the park is that it is the only tropical grassland in India to be given the status of a national park. If you are a birdwatcher, Velavadar is a paradise.

• Mammals - Velavadar has India’s largest population of Blackbuck, the elegant Indian antelope. One of the fastest mammals in the world, the Blackbuck is capable of achieving high speeds when leaping over the plains of Velavadar. India’s largest antelope, the Nilgai or Blue Bull, is easily seen in this national park. Those who stay for a few days at the Blackbuck Lodge can hope to see the endangered Indian Grey Wolf, the nocturnal Striped Hyena, Indian Fox, Golden Jackal, Jungle Cat and many small mammals like hare, gerbil, field mice, mongoose and hedgehog.

• Birds - Velavadar National Park and its nearby wetlands comprise an important Bird Area, notified by Birdlife International. The park is a good place to watch grassland birds like larks, bushchats, wheatears, sandgrouse, francolins and quails. The park’s specialties include Saras Crane and Stolikza’s Bushchat. Magnificent eagles, falcons and endangered vultures can be seen at Velavadar. In winter, Velavadar National Park hosts the world’s largest harrier roost – Montagu’s Harrier, Pallid Harrier and Marsh Harrier can be seen in large numbers, while Hen Harrier is occasionally spotted. The lakes and seasonal marshes are important places to watch the Lesser Floricans, pelicans, cranes, storks, ducks, herons and other water birds.

  Velavadar National Park is a possible site for birdwatchers who want to see specialty birds of the tropical Indian grassland like the Stolizka's Bushchat (winter), Rufous-tailed Lark, Greater Short-toed Lark, Ashy-crowned and Black-crowned Sparrow Lark, Indian Bushlark, Singing Bushlark, Syke's Crested Lark, Crested Lark, Painted and Grey Francolin, Desert and Variable Wheatear, Chestnut Bellied Sandgrouse, Spotted Sandgrouse (winter), Painted Sandgrouse, Quails and Saras Crane. Among the many raptors that can be seen are Pallid Harrier (winter), Montagu's Harrier (winter), Marsh Harrier (winter), Laggar Falcon, Eurasian Hobby, Kestrel, Red-necked Falcon, Saker Falcon (winter), Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Shikra, Imperial Eagle ( winter), Tawny Eagle, Steppe Eagle (winter) and Short-toed Eagle. Amur Falcon, Hen Harrier and Crested Goshawk have been seen at Velavadar National Park. Endangered species of vultures too visit Velavadar. Lesser Florican displays here during the monsoon when the park is closed but you may get a sighting outside the delimited area. In winter, you can see pelicans, cranes, storks and other birds at the water bodies and nearby marshes. While you may not get to see all these birds during your stay at the lodge, Velavadar is never a disappointing experience for a birder.

What to Pack

Pack clothes in earthy colours (dark browns, greens, greys and beiges), sun block and a hat, good walking shoes, torch, binoculars and a camera are highly recommended. A jacket or a pullover is a must in winters.

Accommodation

The Blackbuck Lodge -

The Blackbuck Lodge sits in splendid seclusion along the Velavadar Blackbuck National Park, near the west coast of Gulf of Cambay. This wildlife resort offers unsurpassed luxury in the middle of an untamed landscape. In this majestic tapestry of the wild, the Blackbuck Lodge spread across 70 acres becomes an ideal destination for the discerning traveller with its luxury villas, exclusive dining area, proximity to the Velavadar National Park and historic places of Gujarat, the indigenous wildlife and rich birdlife. You’ll be inspired by the magnificence of this secluded setting that’s perfect for family reunions and vacations and weekend getaways. It is a great place for those who want to revel in the region’s breathtaking beauty.

Facilities

• With 14 air-conditioned cottages, the wildlife resort wins you over with its attention to minimalistic chic interiors and stylish architecture.

• Each room is spacious and furnished with king size beds, chairs and tables.

• There is a specially designed relaxation area by the windows in the room to enjoy the starlit clear sky.

• Each room has a verandah at the back with deck chairs for sunbathing and watching the blackbucks.

• The bathrooms are large and each bathroom comes with a separate dressing area providing urban comforts. There is an alternative open air shower area near the bathroom for guests who want to enjoy a hot water shower under the tropical sun in the close environs of nature.

• The resort will soon boast of a swimming pool and an open air barbeque area for their guests.

• Luxury Cottages - All luxury cottages come with features like :

  • Satellite Television

  • Telephone and direct dialing through operator

  • Room service menu

  • Mini Fridge

  • Tea-coffee maker

• Restaurant - The walk to the restaurant from your cottage, through the lush natural grasslands of the region is a unique experience in itself. Built from local materials, the restaurant offers scenic views from its large windows. After a day of activity or relaxation, enjoy gourmet comfort food in the lodge’s dining area overlooking the water body, near the restaurant.

  • The menu features Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine, besides regional Kathiawadi specialties

  • Add to this smiling, well-trained staff that makes the whole experience of enjoying the meal worth it.

  • The restaurant is open from 6am to 10 pm for the residents as well as non-residents of the Blackbuck Lodge.

• Library - As you enter the resort, near the reception area, there is a section dedicated to books and magazines on wildlife and is just the place to relax and exchange jungle stories.

Contact Details

The Blackbuck Lodge,

Velavdar National Park,

Dist. Bhavnagar, Bhal,

Saurashtra, Gujarat, India.