Velavadar National Park
This national park, which is also known as Blackbuck National Park, was established to protect the fine population of the beautiful and gracious Blackbuck antelope. Blackbucks are amongst the fastest mammals on earth, and the largest remaining population is here in this park where they are easy to see, as are India’s biggest and the world’s second biggest antelope, the Nilgai antelope. Wild pigs and hares are also common in Velavadar.
The Indian wolf and the striped hyena are the parks primary predators, and the park is one of the few places in India where there is a god chance of seeing them, especially around the hours of dawn and dusk. A number of smaller predators also live here, such as jackals, Indian foxes and jungle cat. During the months of winter the park attracts huge numbers of migratory birds, and is one of the world’s most important overwintering sites for marsh-, Montagu’s - and pallid harriers. Demoiselle cranes and common cranes also overwinter here, while many other distinctive birds such as various species of storks, herons, ducks and waders as well as some real specialties such as Dalmatian pelicans, greater spotted eagles and eastern imperial eagle are seen regularly.
The relatively small national park, only 35 km2 in size, is dominated by grasslands with scattered bushes and acacia trees, reminiscent of classical African savannah that lies close to the coast and the Indian Ocean in the state of Gujarat. The area also has a number of lakes and waterholes, together with areas of mudflats, and saline land closest to the coast.
Highlights:
- The beautiful, gracious Blackbuck antelope and the huge Nilgai antelope
- Special predators such as Indian wolf and striped hyena, as well as jackals, foxes and jungle cat
- Outstanding birdlife on the savannah, especially migratory birds of prey and cranes
High Season: November to May
