Nature Getaway – Gir Birding Lodge

GIR BIRDING LODGE: A Wildlife Lodge with natural history in its heart, Gir Birding Lodge redefines the idea wildlife-based tourism in Gujarat. It is also a spiritual retreat for Meditators & Yoga practitioners. Situated in Gir, which has the only surviving population of Asiatic Lions in the wild, Gir Birding Lodge is adjacent the Lion Reserve.

FACT SHEET:  It’s an intimate lodge of only 6 cottages and 14 rooms Great wilderness experience with magical outdoor dining venues Yoga, Meditation and wellness programmes 17-Acre Mango orchard Interpretation of trees and plants Nature walks and birding at camp Bird photography hide Jeep Safaris with experienced Naturalists Excursions to nearby areas Local village visit and cultural experiences A conference room

LOCATION An oasis of serenity amidst beautiful orchard, forests and its glorious wild beings. A perfect base to explore the lion haven of India.

Gir Birding Lodge is spread over 17 acres of orchard and generously canopied trees. It is a perfect base to explore the magnificent forest and its wildlife, the Maldhari areas and the villages around it. While nature walks and safaris fill your senses, our Yoga, wellness programs & spa will nourish your mind, body and soul.

Surrounded by forest, Gir Birding Lodge is the national park. With the density of lions in the wild Gir is the only reserve to view this magnificent cat.

GUEST ACCOMMODATION:  We have 6 cottages and 14 rooms. The rooms are on ground floor and first floor.
You can enjoy all the advantages and excitement staying in the forest, along with all the modern amenities & comforts. Every unit is air-conditioned and has a generous living space inside, with large windows and a modern en suite bathroom. The wide verandas are an oasis where you can unwind and enjoy the sights and sounds of the forest. The verandahs offer panoramic views of the orchard and are ideal for birdwatchers.

JEEP SAFARIS
Safaris into the jungle are conducted by park guides in open 4WD. The duration of safari is approximately of three hours and is conducted early morning (07.00 hr., 09.30 hr.) or in the afternoon (15.30 hr.) till sunset. The duration of each safari is approx. 03 hrs. Each jeep can seat upto four persons comfortably. Besides the visitors, the jeep has an expert driver and a park guide.

GETTING THERE
Flights are available to Rajkot, Bhavnagar & Diu from Mumbai. Ahmedabad is a major hub connected with important cities of India. It is also an International Airport.
Travel Time:

 Rajkot – Gir National Park: 3½ hour drive

 Bhavnagar – Gir National Park: 5 hour drive

 Diu – Gir National Park: 3 hour drive

 Ahmedabad – Gir National Park: 7 hour drive

THE KOTHI The Kothi is the informal reception and sitting area. The views provide an intimate introduction to the forests of Gir. A great place to interact with our resident expert naturalists and fellow wildlife enthusiasts over a freshly brewed cup of tea or homemade dinner, it also houses the library and other collectibles. We have film shows in the evening related to conservation and wildlife. A refreshment bar with a selection of coffee and teas, it is a small center of our guest activities.

KITCHEN & DINING Surrounded by mango trees, this setting a unique dining experience. We serve Indian meals which are largely buffet style but we also cater for a la carte orders if told in advance. Catering to most palates, we try to offer a variety of homemade vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes in our buffets.

Nutritionally balanced wholesome meals, fresh fruit juices and smoothies will help our guests detox their mind, body and soul.
Guests may choose to have a packed safari picnic. Meals may also be served in the orchard. A favorite dinner spot is our orchard – a special place for a tranquil dinner and stargazing.

We encourage our guests to get an impromptu cooking lesson or exchange recipes with our cooks.
SAFARI SHOP The in house safari shop has a selection of craft from across India, wildlife art and photographs are also on sale, for those with a deep interest in art we can organize a private sitting with artists & artisans from the area.

EXCURSIONS Jeep Safaris: Drives to explore parts of the reserve that are often remote and tucked away in magic corners of the park, our experienced naturalist will introduce you to the rich bio diversity of the park. From the majestic Lion to the shy funnel web spiders, you will be rewarded with an insight into fine details of the natural world. We plan our Safaris keeping in mind interests of the guests and balance that with an opportunity to visit different Zones of the Reserve.

Designed for uninterrupted viewing, the 4×4 jeeps effortlessly maneuver through the grasslands, dirt tracks and hilly terrain as our expert naturalist points out the various species of birds and animals. Through their local network and experience, our trained local guides are usually very well informed, thereby increasing the chances of sightings of rare species.

Village Visit: Experience life in the village. Get an insight into the problems they face with regards to – man animal conflict. Meet the Maldharis and Siddhi tribals. Dine at a local village home. Experiencing a day in the life of a village women doing their everyday chores or attend a reforestation project.

Birding & Picnics: Gir forest and its surrounding areas are well represented in terms of rich avifauna. It has a variety of habitats-woodlands, grasslands, high hills, cliffs and ponds, catering to the needs of different bird species both resident and migratory. Around 350 avifaunal species are found here. This includes birds of prey, vultures, grebes, cormorants, ducks, kingfishers, herons, egrets, storks, hornbills, barbets, woodpeckers, flycatchers and many others. Sarus cranes visit the reserve for breeding during monsoon and may be seen up to November. o We organize a special birding picnic with our birding guides. Watch bird species as you enjoy a lovely picnic hamper arranged by us.

Dinner Experiences – After the village visit, return to the lodge for refreshments. For your evening dinner you can chose from any of the following options

 Private dinner at the house of a local villager.

 Private dinner in the open grasslands.

WEATHER Gujarat has extreme climactic fluctuations. Winter months of December, January and February, morning game drives and late evenings are lightly cold. The sun is warm, days are crisp, warm and sunny. As we move into April summer is beginning to set in and the shade is welcome. As water holes dry up by April, wildlife is concentrated in smaller areas of the park and Lion sighting gets better but with that the heat is extreme, afternoon temperatures can touch 46°C. The jungle is looking beautiful after the monsoons, green flushes of new leaf on the bamboo and thick undercover, misty mornings and crisp sunlight make the forest breathtakingly beautiful.

GIR BIRDING LODGE: A Wildlife Lodge with natural history in its heart, Gir Birding Lodge redefines the idea wildlife-based tourism in Gujarat. It is also a spiritual retreat for Meditators & Yoga practitioners. Situated in Gir, which has the only surviving population of Asiatic Lions in the wild, Gir Birding Lodge is adjacent the Lion Reserve.
FACT SHEET: It’s an intimate lodge of only 6 cottages and 14 rooms Great wilderness experience with magical outdoor dining venues Yoga, Meditation and wellness programmes 17-Acre Mango orchard Interpretation of trees and plants Nature walks and birding at camp Bird photography hide Jeep Safaris with experienced Naturalists Excursions to nearby areas Local village visit and cultural experiences A conference room
LOCATION An oasis of serenity amidst beautiful orchard, forests and its glorious wild beings. A perfect base to explore the lion haven of India.
Gir Birding Lodge is spread over 17 acres of orchard and generously canopied trees. It is a perfect base to explore the magnificent forest and its wildlife, the Maldhari areas and the villages around it. While nature walks and safaris fill your senses, our Yoga, wellness programs & spa will nourish your mind, body and soul.
Surrounded by forest, Gir Birding Lodge is the national park. With the density of lions in the wild Gir is the only reserve to view this magnificent cat.
GUEST ACCOMMODATION: We have 6 cottages and 14 rooms. The rooms are on ground floor and first floor.
You can enjoy all the advantages and excitement staying in the forest, along with all the modern amenities & comforts. Every unit is air-conditioned and has a generous living space inside, with large windows and a modern en suite bathroom. The wide verandas are an oasis where you can unwind and enjoy the sights and sounds of the forest. The verandahs offer panoramic views of the orchard and are ideal for birdwatchers.

JEEP SAFARIS
Safaris into the jungle are conducted by park guides in open 4WD. The duration of safari is approximately of three hours and is conducted early morning (07.00 hr., 09.30 hr.) or in the afternoon (15.30 hr.) till sunset. The duration of each safari is approx. 03 hrs. Each jeep can seat upto four persons comfortably. Besides the visitors, the jeep has an expert driver and a park guide.

GETTING THERE
Flights are available to Rajkot, Bhavnagar & Diu from Mumbai. Ahmedabad is a major hub connected with important cities of India. It is also an International Airport.

Travel Time:
 Rajkot – Gir National Park: 3½ hour drive  Bhavnagar – Gir National Park: 5 hour drive  Diu – Gir National Park: 3 hour drive
 Ahmedabad – Gir National Park: 7 hour drive

THE KOTHI The Kothi is the informal reception and sitting area. The views provide an intimate introduction to the forests of Gir. A great place to interact with our resident expert naturalists and fellow wildlife enthusiasts over a freshly brewed cup of tea or homemade dinner, it also houses the library and other collectibles. We have film shows in the evening related to conservation and wildlife. A refreshment bar with a selection of coffee and teas, it is a small center of our guest activities.

KITCHEN & DINING Surrounded by mango trees, this setting a unique dining experience. We serve Indian meals which are largely buffet style but we also cater for a la carte orders if told in advance. Catering to most palates, we try to offer a variety of homemade vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes in our buffets.
Nutritionally balanced wholesome meals, fresh fruit juices and smoothies will help our guests detox their mind, body and soul.
Guests may choose to have a packed safari picnic. Meals may also be served in the orchard. A favorite dinner spot is our orchard – a special place for a tranquil dinner and stargazing.
We encourage our guests to get an impromptu cooking lesson or exchange recipes with our cooks.
SAFARI SHOP The in house safari shop has a selection of craft from across India, wildlife art and photographs are also on sale, for those with a deep interest in art we can organize a private sitting with artists & artisans from the area.
EXCURSIONS Jeep Safaris: Drives to explore parts of the reserve that are often remote and tucked away in magic corners of the park, our experienced naturalist will introduce you to the rich bio diversity of the park. From the majestic Lion to the shy funnel web spiders, you will be rewarded with an insight into fine details of the natural world. We plan our Safaris keeping in mind interests of the guests and balance that with an opportunity to visit different Zones of the Reserve.
Designed for uninterrupted viewing, the 4×4 jeeps effortlessly maneuver through the grasslands, dirt tracks and hilly terrain as our expert naturalist points out the various species of birds and animals. Through their local network and experience, our trained local guides are usually very well informed, thereby increasing the chances of sightings of rare species.
Village Visit: Experience life in the village. Get an insight into the problems they face with regards to – man animal conflict. Meet the Maldharis and Siddhi tribals. Dine at a local village home. Experiencing a day in the life of a village women doing their everyday chores or attend a reforestation project.
Birding & Picnics: Gir forest and its surrounding areas are well represented in terms of rich avifauna. It has a variety of habitats-woodlands, grasslands, high hills, cliffs and ponds, catering to the needs of different bird species both resident and migratory. Around 350 avifaunal species are found here. This includes birds of prey, vultures, grebes, cormorants, ducks, kingfishers, herons, egrets, storks, hornbills, barbets, woodpeckers, flycatchers and many others. Sarus cranes visit the reserve for breeding during monsoon and may be seen up to November. o We organize a special birding picnic with our birding guides. Watch bird species as you enjoy a lovely picnic hamper arranged by us.

Dinner Experiences – After the village visit, return to the lodge for refreshments. For your evening dinner you can chose from any of the following options
 Private dinner at the house of a local villager.
 Private dinner in the open grasslands.

WEATHER Gujarat has extreme climactic fluctuations. Winter months of December, January and February, morning game drives and late evenings are lightly cold. The sun is warm, days are crisp, warm and sunny. As we move into April summer is beginning to set in and the shade is welcome. As water holes dry up by April, wildlife is concentrated in smaller areas of the park and Lion sighting gets better but with that the heat is extreme, afternoon temperatures can touch 46°C. The jungle is looking beautiful after the monsoons, green flushes of new leaf on the bamboo and thick undercover, misty mornings and crisp sunlight make the forest breathtakingly beautiful.