The Little Rann of Kutch 2011

Diwali 2011 saw us on mini 2 day vacation to The Royal Safari Camp, Bajana Village about 35 kms. from Viramgam. The resort is about 3 years old and accommodation is in small cottages (around 18) and 4 tents with modcons including a/cs and dth connection. The place is quite relaxing and is good for such a mini break. Royal Safari serves non spicy multi cuisine food (both veg and non veg). Other recreation activities include a billiards room, swimming pool, unfortunately this was not working when we were there, a tennis court and a lake where you can do fishing!!. This is what the Royal Safari website – www.theroyalsafaricamp.com – says.

Wild Ass - "Gudkhur"

Entrance to Royal Safari Camp

The Resort organises a desert safari in open jeeps for their guests (Sanctuary charges Rs.250/- per jeep). The safari across the Little Rann visits the 'bets', islands on the ancient seabed that are now higher grounds covered with grass and scrub. The entrance to the Wild Ass Sanctuary in the Little Rann of Kutch is about 7 Kms from the resort.

The Sanctuary is home to the Endangered Wild Ass, locally called “Gudkhur”. These are quite similar to those found in Ladhakh.

Nilgai

The wild ass is a handsome chestnut brown member of the equus genus (horse family). Capable of reaching high speeds when galloping across the Rann, the wild ass is usually seen in small herds.

Other animals seen here are the elegant blackbuck (Indian antelope), nilgai or blue bull (India's largest antelope) and the graceful chinkara (Indian gazelle).


We were also lucky to see birds like bunting (a small brown bird), drongo, quails and later on near a lake, pelicans. Around November – December, other migratory birds including cranes & flamingos are also seen here.

Pelicans - Desert Safari

Once the safari (either late afternoon around 4 p.m. or early morning around 8:00 a.m.) is done with there is nothing much else to do except laze around or play billiards/tennis, watch TV or catch up on your reading.

You can visit a local weaver in Bajana village– the only one left in this area that weaves shawls & dresses on hand looms (7Kms from the resort), go to Nal Sarover Bird Sanctuary (70 Kms from resort) to see migratory birds, Modhera Sun Temple, Tarnetar, etc.

Weaver

There are a total of three resorts in this area – Rann Riders (www.rannriders.com) (Dasada), The Royal Safari Camp (Bajana Village) and Desert Coursers (Zainabad) www.desertcoursers.net. All resorts are about 20 Kms. from each other. All the three resorts do also organise cultural programmes depending upon the demand. Royal Safari has an amphitheater for the same.

Cottage - Royal Safari Camp

Current tariffs are about Rs.6,000/- per room + taxes per couple, including meals at The Royal Safari & Rann Riders and around Rs.2,500/- including meals at Desert Courses (as per website). All three resorts include one safari, basically to & fro from resort to safari and back in open jeeps.

Ranak Outside Cottage

Entrance to Royal Safari Camp (Urvi, Nitigna, Ranak, Utpal)