| The Blackbuck Lodge
Velavadar National Park, Gujarat. |
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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. |
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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 kingsize 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. |
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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.
All our luxury cottages come with the following features
Satellite Television, Telephone and direct dialing through operator, Room service menu, Mini Fridge, Tea-coffee maker.
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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Bhavnagar
Bhavnagar, an 18th century princely city about one hour drive from the Blackbuck Lodge, has many reminders of its glorious past including palaces, majestic hospital, college and public buildings, the Barton Museum & Gandhi Smriti, and historic temples. In Bhavnagar, the Victoria Park, Gaurishankar Lake, Pill Garden and Old Port are of special interest to birdwatchers and nature photographers. Bhavnagar is a very good place to buy souvenirs and gifts - you can get excellent embroideries, beadwork and food items (ganthias, pedas, Gujarati snacks called farsaans, chillies and spices, and regional sweets) to take back with you.
Lothal
About one-and-a-half hour drive from the Blackbuck Lodge, it is one of the most important sites of the Harappan or Indus Valley Civilisation excavated in India. The site and the museum offers an interesting insight into the town planning, industries and trade of Lothal when it was at its peak from 2400-1600 BC. The museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm except Fridays.
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Palitana
The Shatrunjay hill on the outskirts of the town of Palitana, about two hours drive from the Blackbuck Lodge, is crowned by more than 863 temples built in different periods. The complex makes a spectacular sight, with the temples following a similar architectural style of finely carved shikharas or towers. The site is among the most sacred places for Jains. Allow a few hours to climb to the hilltop temple site and explore the temples. There are more than 3500 steps to be climbed to reach this isolated hilltop temple complex - ‘dolis’ (hand-held palanquins) can be hired at the base for those who do not want to climb the steps. The hills are also good for trekking and bird watching.
Vallabhipur
About 20km from Velavadar, Vallabhipur is an ancient town situated in the Bhavnagar District, Gujarat. It was the erstwhile capital of Saurashtra and once housed a huge Buddhist university. Major point of attraction here is the Vallabhipur Teerth, a temple dedicated to Adinath Bhagwan. There is a museum, which houses some archaeological findings.
Alang
About two hours from the Blackbuck Lodge, Alang has one of the world's largest ship breaking yards. You can buy furniture, canned foods, equipment and marine products salvaged from the ships at Alang.
Takhteshwar Temple
Situated just 2 km from Bhavnagar, the temple is dedicated to lord Shiva. It was built in the year 1893 by the local royal family. |
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From mid October to late March, when the weather is cold and there are large species of migratory birds coming to the national park for spending winters. April – June are recommended for mammal sightings at water points.
The park is closed from mid June - mid October but this is a beautiful time to enjoy the monsoon greenery around the lodge. One can encounter the endangered Lesser Florican and Saras Crane in this region during the monsoon period.
The park remains open in the morning from 6 am to 6 pm in the evening.
Getting Velavdar
By Road
Take the Bhavnagar highway from Ahmedabad and drive through the coastal state highway to Velavadar via Fadra, Pipli, Dholera and Adhelui. From Adhelui, take a right turn to Velavadar.
From Bhavnagar, Take the coastal state highway to Velavadar via Adhelui.
By Air
Nearest Airport is Bhavnagar and it is at a distance of 65 km/1 hr from Velavadar. Bhavnagar airport is connected with Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports with daily frequency.
Ahmedabad airport is at a distance of around 4 hours from the Velavadar National Park. It receives international and domestic flights.
By Rail
Bhavnagar is the nearest railhead, connected by trains from Mumbai and Ahmedabad. |
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Packages |
valid from 1st October 2011 upto 31st March, 2012.
Deluxe Cottage Rs.8500/- for double occupancy
Includes : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Deluxe Cottage Rs.7500/- for single occupancy
Includes : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner .
Deluxe Cottage Rs.7000/- for double occupancy
Includes : Accomodation and Breakfast .
Extra Bed - Rs.1700/- inclusive of Breakfast.
Lunch and Dinner for extra pax at Rs. 500/-
Above Rates are
Safari visit to National Park extra at Rs. 2200/- per Jeep for upto 5 Pax.
Camera and Park entry charges extra as per forest department rates. |
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Tele : +91-11-41612107, 26823836. Mobile: 9810112772, 9910003772. |
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