Wildlife Safari in the Little Rann of Kutch

The Rann of Kutch is a geographically unique landscape that was once an arm of the Arabian Sea. As the land became separated from the sea by geological forces, a vast, featureless plain encrusted with salt was formed, which is inundated with water during the monsoon rains.

The safari across the Little Rann visits the ‘bets’, islands on the ancient seabed that are now higher ground covered with grass and scrub.

These ‘bets’ support a variety of wildlife including the ‘Gudkhur’ (Asiatic wild ass) that is not found elsewhere. 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.

The elegant blackbuck (Indian antelope), nilgai or blue bull (India’s largest antelope) and the graceful chinkara (Indian gazelle) are other mammals seen.

The carnivores of the Little Rann are the endangered Indian wolf, desert fox, Indian fox, jackals, desert and jungle cats, and a few hyenas.

Bird Safari

The best sightings can be made at the lakes and marshes in and around the Rann where birds gather in numbers beyond comprehension during the winter months from October to March. These are the months when large droves of demoiselle and common cranes are seen in incredibly large numbers. The wetlands also attract flamingos, pelicans, storks, ibises, spoonbill, a variety of ducks and other waterfowl.

The Rann is also the hunting ground of raptors like the short-toed eagle, aquila eagles, six species of falcon, buzzards and three species of harrier. It is one of the few places where harriers can be seen roosting on open-ground at night.