Wild, wild Gujarat on a solo trip to Little Rann of Kutch

Saying hello to the creatures of Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary in Little Rann of Kutch. (Photo: Bindu Gopal Rao)

The sight of the pale baby pink blush on a winter afternoon had me feeling ecstatic and excited at once. Finally seeing the Lesser Flamingos was a thrill I am not going to forget in a hurry. Especially as this trip to the Little Rann of Kutch (LRK), about 100 km from Ahmedabad, was one I had mentally planned and deliberated for months before making it happen.

The landscape of Little Rann of Kutch. (Photo: Bindu Gopal Rao)

This was one of the first trips I planned post-pandemic and, in hindsight, this has been a trip that has been most memorable as I could pull off a solo trip under a budget of Rs 55,000 even though I tried to do this through a travel agency that gave me a quote that was three times this amount.

The retreat, where I stayed for two nights and three days, offers packages for group safaris. I was lucky that mine turned into an individual safari with the inhouse naturalist, since there weren't many guests when I had visited. The retreat also offers all meals in house as this is in a remote locale. You can also taste local delicacies of Gujarat when you are there. The safaris are organised in the morning and afternoon. My first safari was in the morning when I headed into the Rann and was lucky to sight several wildlife species. The area is also home to the only Wild Ass Wildlife sanctuary, and they move in groups so you can see them several times if you're lucky on the safari. I was fortunate to catch them sand bathing and tossing and turning in the sand.

Wild ass sand bathing in Little Rann of Kutch. (Photo: Bindu Gopal Rao)

The landscape here is interesting with saline desert plains, arid grasslands, thorny scrublands, wetlands, and marshes that support a diverse variety of flora and fauna as well as wild animals. You can also spot the Indian fox — that usually looks for food for the family, I also saw a couple of baby foxes that resemble little dog pups.

A Nilgai pair in Little Rann of Kutch. (Photo: Bindu Gopal Rao)

The landscape is home to the shy jungle cat as well as the nilgai, rufous-tailed hare, desert fox, wolf, hyena, jackal, chinkara, Indian porcupine, pale hedgehog, mongoose and spiny tailed lizard. You may not be able to see all species though as the landscape is vast spread over 5,000 sq. km and is largely vegetation free. A good naturalist will however be able to point out what to see and where the animals are usually found.

Common Kestrel in Little Rann of Kutch. (Photo: Bindu Gopal Rao)

Being an avid birder, this place was paradise as I spotted several species including Chestnut Bellied Sandgrouse, Asian Green Bee Eater, Ashy Crowned Sparrow Lark, Purple Sunbird and Common Kestrel.

Lesser Flamingos in Little Rann of Kutch. (Photo: Bindu Gopal Rao)

The flamingos are seen in the vicinity with shallow marsh lands and while the Greater Flamingo is a resident species, the Lesser Flamingo migrates in the winters. This is also the time to spot a variety of water birds as well as the Demoiselle Crane and the Common Crane (which is anything but common). This is also what makes winter a great season to visit here as there are more species that you can see. A pit stop at the home of the salt making community and a sunset on the Rann are also recommended experiences.

Apart from the Jeep safari, the resort also offers Horse and Cycling Safaris and Camel Safaris as well as off road experiences. I also went on a village safari (that must be paid additionally) where I visited a few communities and saw some of the unique weaving practices, craft work and beaded jewelry that are also available for sale and make for interesting souvenirs.

Modhera Sun temple in Little Rann of Kutch. (Photo: Bindu Gopal Rao)

As I had time in between my safaris, I asked the resort to help me book a cab to visit the Modhera Sun temple located about 50 km away. The one and quarter hour drive brought me to the beautiful 11th century monument. Incidentally despite being called a temple, no worship is offered here, and the magnificent architecture of the place is being maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. Do take time to walk along the shrine hall, the assembly hall and the reservoir built around a step well not missing the ornate and intricate work on the pillars. The trip is a great way to add a cultural angle to your trip to the region.

Jewellery made by a woman in the local community in Little Rann of Kutch. (Photo: Bindu Gopal Rao)

At the end of my three-day trip, I was happy that I made the right decision to come and experience the wildlife and nature of this place and to use a cliché, made the memories that matter.