Journey through the untamed landscapes of Western India, where ancient forests, sweeping grasslands, shimmering salt deserts, rugged granite hills, and rolling sand dunes create one of the country’s most diverse wildlife experiences.
This extraordinary expedition takes you from the last refuge of the Asiatic Lion in Gir National Park to the open plains of Velavadar, the vast white wilderness of the Rann of Kutch, the legendary leopard country of Jawai, and finally into the remote Desert National Park of Rajasthan.
Designed for discerning travellers, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts, this seamless adventure combines luxury accommodations, expert naturalists, exceptional wildlife encounters, and authentic cultural experiences across some of India’s least explored wilderness regions.
Arrive in Mumbai before travelling to Gir National Park, the only place on Earth where the magnificent Asiatic Lion survives in the wild. Explore a landscape of dry deciduous forests, acacia woodland, and seasonal rivers, where lions share their habitat with leopards, striped hyenas, jungle cats, crocodiles, deer, and more than 300 species of birds. Expert-guided safaris reveal the remarkable conservation success story of this unique ecosystem.
Travel to the open grasslands of Velavadar, one of India’s finest examples of native savannah habitat. Vast golden plains support thousands of graceful Blackbucks while Indian Wolves, Golden Jackals, Foxes, and Marsh Harriers patrol the landscape. The uninterrupted horizons and dramatic skies make this an exceptional destination for wildlife photography.
Enter the extraordinary world of the Great Rann of Kutch, an immense salt desert unlike anywhere else in India. Here, shimmering white plains stretch to the horizon, creating surreal landscapes that transform with changing light throughout the day. Search for the rare Asiatic Wild Ass alongside desert foxes, migratory birds, flamingos, and other uniquely adapted wildlife
Continue into the remarkable granite wilderness of Jawai, where towering rock formations shelter one of India’s healthiest populations of wild leopards. This extraordinary region is renowned for the peaceful coexistence between wildlife and the local Rabari pastoral communities. Morning and evening safaris provide exceptional opportunities to photograph leopards against spectacular rocky landscapes
Conclude your expedition in the vast Desert National Park, where sweeping sand dunes, rocky outcrops, and thorn scrub create one of India’s most fascinating desert ecosystems. Search for Desert Cats, Indian Wolves, Striped Hyenas, Chinkara, Desert Foxes, and the elusive Great Indian Bustard while experiencing the silence and immense beauty of the Thar Desert before your onward departure.
Expedition Narrative
The Desert Dunes & Lions Expedition showcases a side of India few travellers ever experience. Beginning in the ancient forests of Gir, you follow the footsteps of the last remaining Asiatic Lions before venturing into landscapes that become increasingly wild and remote.
The golden grasslands of Velavadar introduce an elegant wilderness where Blackbucks race across open plains and wolves patrol beneath vast skies. Further west, the Great Rann of Kutch presents an almost otherworldly spectacle, where endless white salt flats merge seamlessly with the horizon and rare desert wildlife thrives in one of the harshest environments on the subcontinent.
The journey then moves into Jawai, where dramatic granite hills conceal elusive leopards living in remarkable harmony with local communities—a wildlife experience unlike any other in India. Finally, the sweeping dunes and rugged wilderness of the Desert National Park provide a fitting finale, revealing a fragile yet resilient ecosystem shaped by wind, sand, and time.
Together, these extraordinary destinations create an expedition rich in wildlife, spectacular landscapes, and authentic cultural encounters, offering one of India’s most distinctive and rewarding safari experiences.
Why Choose This Expedition
| City | Hotel Name | Meal Plan | No of Nights | No of Safaris |
| Mumbai | Lemon Tree | Breakfast only | 1N | – |
| Gir | Fern Gir | All meals | 4N | 6 |
| Velavadar National Park | Black Buck Safari Lodge | All meals | 2N | 4 |
| Little Rann of Kutch | Rann Riders | All meals | 3N | 4 |
| Jawai | Aaramgah by Radisson | All meals | 3N | 4 |
| Desert National Park | Kurja Resort | All meals | 3N | 4 |
Payment terms: 30% to confirm, balance due 90 days prior to departure
Cancellation Policy: 30% non-refundable, balance is non-refundable once paid
Safari bookings open on different dates for different parks, if deadline for booking is not met, the rates will change. Hotel prices are dynamic which is subject to change and based on availability of mentioned room, base room category and also time of travel.
