Wild Ass Sanctuary in Little Rann of Kutch – Getting There, Location and Best Time to Visit

Home to the endangered Indian wild ass, the Wild Ass Sanctuary in Little Rann of Kutch is India’s largest wildlife sanctuary. Stretched over 5000 sq. km, the vast and unusual terrain of the sanctuary is basically a salt marsh having barren mudflats covered with bets (little islands).

Established in 1973 for the conservation of endangered wild ass, the Wild Ass Sanctuary has several other wild animals like desert foxes, wolves, antelopes, jackals, and snakes. The wild ass is quite bigger than a common donkey but is strong and fast as a horse. They are so fast that they can run up to 30 miles (50 km) per hour in long distances. Notably, Wild Ass Sanctuary is also a paradise for many birds and the world’s largest breeding ground for Lesser Flamingos.

Where is it located

Wild Ass Sanctuary is located in the Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. It is 45 km northwest of Virangam, 130 km northwest of Ahmedabad, 265 km east of Bhuj and 175 km north of Rajkot. Bajana and Dhrangadhra are two entrances to the wildlife sanctuary.

Getting There

Dhrangadhra is located only 16 km away to the Wild AssSanctuary, making it the nearest railway station. Many trains going towards Delhi and Mumbai stop there. Virangam Junction is very conveniently located in Bajana range and many trains also stop there. 

If you want to get there by bus, you can easily access the sanctuary from different parts of the state. It takes around 2 to 3 hours to get to Dhrangadhra from Ahmedabad. But Dhrangadhra is easily accessible through public transport as it lies on the Kutch-Ahmedabad highway. So, you can easily get there from all the buses which travel from Kutch to Ahmedabad.

Best Time to Visit

The peak season over there is winter when the weather remains cold from December to March. The scorching heat of summer starts from April onwards and later goes very unbearable. The Little Rann of Kutch is filled with water during the monsoon months from June to September. The months of October to November are the breeding seasons just after the monsoon. These are some of the best times for the tourists as grasslands remain tender and fresh for animals to graze.

Attractions

Along with wildlife, you can also visit here to explore the dazzling salt pans forming on the edge near Dhrangadhra. More than 80% of salt is produced in Gujarat and India is the third-largest producer in India. The local salt farmers “Agariyas” harvest the salt here. They toil every day under the hot sun from the months of October to June.

You can also visit some of the beautiful colonial buildings like the 18th-century palace at Dhrangadhra. You can also visit Kalaghoda to explore the rich colonial architecture and the trading post of salt for the British. Bandstand and a cricket pavilion are some of the major highlights.

Cost and Timings

The sanctuary welcomes the tourists every day from sunrise to sunset, except during monsoons. It is recommended to visit the early morning for the safari to explore wildlife at its best.

There is an entry fee charged per vehicle basis for 6 people. It costs Rs. 600 for Indians and Rs. 2600 for foreigners from Monday to Friday on weekdays. On Saturday and Sundays, the entry fee rises by 25% and 50% on national holidays like Navratri, Diwali, Christmas, New Year and Holi.

Having a guide is compulsory for visitors. So, expect to pay around Rs. 300. Camera charges are extra, i.e. Rs. 1200 for foreigners and Rs. 200 for Indians. 

The jeep safari cost is charged extra and is usually included in packages. Or you may have to pay around Rs. 3000 per vehicle.

Please Note: The Prices are subject to change do ask us for the latest prices and get your Indian Wildlife Holiday Planned to suit your requirements

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