Tips for your Nalsarovar bird sanctuary trip

Tips for your Nalsarovar bird sanctuary trip.

Nal Sarovar is a lake and a Bird Sanctuary, so huge that it looks like a ocean in pictures, Nal Sarovar is situated about 60 km from Ahmedabad near Sanand Village, in Gujarat. Road connectivity is very good from Ahmedabad to Nalsarovar. Below are few tips that would help you for your trip at Nalsarovar bird sanctuary.

  • Migratory birds start arriving here in October and stay till April but the best time to visit is between November to February
  • Reach early morning before sunrise to see more birds. Nalsarovar bird sanctuary boating timings are 6am to 6 pm.
  • Nalsarovar entry fees are of Rs. 75/- per visitor on weekdays and Rs. 85 on weekends.
  • 200/- for camera (mobile camera is not chargeable).
  • In the end of March, huge flocks of flamingos arrive at Nalsarovar. Do not miss visiting the lake during this period.
  • Nalsarovar boating charges are Rs. 220/- per person and Rs. 1320/- if you want an individual boat for 2 hours boating time with one island visit. However, one can get 3-4 hour ride by bargaining with boat owner.
  • Don’t take 2-hour trip to an island and back. Take longer trip options around the 120 sq km lake. The more you go in, the more birds you will see.
  • Boatman when contacted directly may get you cheaper prices.
  • Don’t fall in the prey of local boatmen and bargain hard to get cheaper rates if you want to go farther into the lake or they may charge ridiculous amount.
  • You will not get a life jacket in the boat but the water is shallow, less risky.
  • If you want to see lot of birds then take 1kg Gathia(Indian snacks) with you, birds love it.
  • Small child on a boat also sells Gathia for Rs.10 to Rs. 60, which, when you throw in the lake, attracts large number of birds close to you.
  • There are 36 islets in the Nalsarovar wetland and your prepaid boat ride will take you to a single island named Dhrabla.Try the famous kathiyawadi thali on huts made by local vendors on the island it costs around Rs. 150/person. The local vendors are very humble and good at hospitality.
  • Your boatmen will guide you in which hut to eat, you cannot just walk-in to any hut. This has been done to manage the crowd.
  • At places, it is extremely difficult for the boatman to pull/row it, in case the boat is fully loaded. You might want to take individual boat in case you are a family of 3-4.
  • Visit the washroom before boarding the boat, as there is no washroom at the island.
  • A pair of Binoculars and Camera are must have accessory while visiting Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary.
  • Carry lots of water, sun block, and plenty of free space in your camera.
  • You need to know Gujarati to understand the boards. Very few boards are in Hindi.
  • You can get to know a lot about migratory birds and Nalsarovar sanctuary by visiting the information centre.
  • No 3G/4G coverage, you will get 2G/edge internet on your mobile phone with poor connectivity.
  • Nalsarovar is best for your one day picnic, you can play cricket or badminton there and also set up a live barbeque or cook your own food.
  • For your return ride towards parking, you may have to pay Rs. 8 to Rs. 10 per person.

5 thoughts on “Tips for your Nalsarovar bird sanctuary trip

  1. Very bad experience. Boat contractor cheating visited by charging extra. In tickets nowhere written places covered for what they changes Rs.220/- for boating. Their is no one to control this cheating or no complain register kept at window.

  2. I am nizam nalsarovar bird’s guide nalsarovar boat ride and birds watching please contact me 9687098749

  3. Its sad to read – If you want to see lot of birds then take 1kg Gathia(Indian snacks) with you, birds love it.
    That definitely not good for Birds Digestive system. That’s not an ethical way. Sad to read these lines on a Nalsarovar Website.

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