Desert Dune Lions
From lion country to leopard hills, across salt wilderness and the shifting sands of the Thar.
Safari Crafters archive
Lion country, salt flats and the Thar.
Follow the wild.Into the desert.
Gir’s woodland gives way to grasslands, salt flats and granite hills. Travel through Gujarat and Rajasthan before the journey reaches the Thar.
16 days, customisable
Private · CustomisableSeasonal, by specialist recommendation
- 01Mumbai & GirDays 1–5
- 02VelavadarDays 6–7
- 03Rann of KutchDays 8–10
- 04JawaiDays 11–13
- 05Desert National ParkDays 14–16
The journey unfolds
A new landscape.
Another perspective.
Mumbai & Gir
Days 1–5Mumbai & Gir
Arrive in Mumbai and begin the journey with a coordinated transfer towards Gir. The precise travel arrangements will be confirmed during planning.
Explore the daily plan
Days 1–5 · Mumbai and Gir National Park
Arrive in Mumbai and begin the journey with a coordinated transfer towards Gir. The precise travel arrangements will be confirmed during planning. Spend the following days exploring Gir National Park and its surrounding wildlife landscape on safari. The focus is on the Asiatic Lion, with opportunities to encounter other species including Jungle Cats, Hyenas and a wide variety of birds. Repeated outings offer different perspectives on the forest, its seasonal watercourses and the wildlife that inhabits them. Time at the lodge provides a quieter counterpoint to the field experience, with evenings to rest and prepare for the next day's exploration.
Velavadar
Days 6–7Velavadar
Continue to Velavadar and settle into the grassland landscape. Safaris focus on Blackbuck and the wider wildlife community of the plains, with opportunities to look for Indian Wolves, foxes and raptors.
Explore the daily plan
Days 6–7 · Velavadar
Continue to Velavadar and settle into the grassland landscape. Safaris focus on Blackbuck and the wider wildlife community of the plains, with opportunities to look for Indian Wolves, foxes and raptors. The open terrain creates excellent conditions for observing animal behaviour and working with natural light. Early and late outings offer different moods across the grasslands, while the intervals between sightings allow time to appreciate the landscape's scale and stillness.
Rann of Kutch
Days 8–10Rann of Kutch
Travel onwards to the Rann of Kutch, where the grasslands give way to a vast salt wilderness. Explore the region in search of the Asiatic Wild Ass and other wildlife adapted to its distinctive conditions.
Explore the daily plan
Days 8–10 · Rann of Kutch
Travel onwards to the Rann of Kutch, where the grasslands give way to a vast salt wilderness. Explore the region in search of the Asiatic Wild Ass and other wildlife adapted to its distinctive conditions. The changing light is central to the experience. Early mornings and late afternoons bring shifts in colour and atmosphere across the flats, while the immense horizon creates a striking sense of space. The itinerary allows time to experience the Rann as both a wildlife habitat and a landscape of unusual beauty.
Jawai
Days 11–13Jawai
Continue to Jawai, where granite boulders, caves and scrub-covered slopes define the terrain. Safaris and local wildlife exploration focus on Leopards, with the opportunity to observe the animals within a landscape shared with pastoral communities.
Explore the daily plan
Days 11–13 · Jawai
Continue to Jawai, where granite boulders, caves and scrub-covered slopes define the terrain. Safaris and local wildlife exploration focus on Leopards, with the opportunity to observe the animals within a landscape shared with pastoral communities. Time in Jawai is deliberately unhurried, allowing the field team to respond to local conditions and wildlife activity. The experience extends beyond sightings to the region's distinctive coexistence between people and predators.
Desert National Park
Days 14–16Desert National Park
Proceed to the Desert National Park for the final phase of the journey. Explore its dunes, rocky ridges and sparse scrub in search of Desert Cats, Wolves, Hyenas and other wildlife adapted to arid conditions.
Explore the daily plan
Days 14–16 · Desert National Park and Departure
Proceed to the Desert National Park for the final phase of the journey. Explore its dunes, rocky ridges and sparse scrub in search of Desert Cats, Wolves, Hyenas and other wildlife adapted to arid conditions. The desert's scale calls for patience. Field outings are shaped by habitat, local knowledge and the conditions on the ground, with time to appreciate the wider ecology of this fragile region. Following the final explorations, transfer for departure from Jaisalmer. Additional destinations, including other Indian wildlife reserves, can be considered as extensions.
The details, considered
Room to explore.
A plan for everything else.
Price on request, based on travel dates, lodge selection, group size and final routing
Confirm currency, occupancy, travel dates and applicable taxes in your personalised quote.Plan this journey ↗Your time
16 days, customisable
Best season
Seasonal, by specialist recommendation
Travel style
Private, bespoke group size
Inclusions & additional costs
Included
- Provisional; to be confirmed in the final itinerary and quotation.
- Accommodation throughout the journey, based on the agreed itinerary.
- Meals as specified in the final plan.
- Scheduled wildlife safaris and excursions, subject to local regulations and availability.
- Local naturalist or guide services where arranged.
- Transfers between destinations as specified in the final itinerary.
- Planning and coordination of the journey by Safari Crafters.
- Applicable taxes and fees, as detailed in the final quotation.
Additional costs
- Provisional; to be confirmed in the final itinerary and quotation.
- International and domestic flights, unless specifically included.
- Optional business jet transfers.
- Visa fees, travel insurance and personal expenses.
- Additional activities or excursions not specified in the final itinerary.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Any accommodation, meals, transfers or services not expressly listed under Inclusions.
Travel & suitability
Pace & access
Unhurried, with the final rhythm shaped around field conditions and guest comfort.
The route begins in Mumbai and continues through Gujarat into western Rajasthan, ending at Jaisalmer. Transfers can be coordinated around the journey's pace and lodge locations. Optional business jet travel may be arranged, subject to availability and operational feasibility.
The journey offers opportunities to seek Asiatic Lions, Leopards, Blackbuck, Indian Wolves, Asiatic Wild Ass, Desert Cats, Hyenas, foxes and a rich diversity of birdlife. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed; the experience is shaped by habitat, season, animal behaviour and time spent in the field.
Share your arrival airport, travel dates and any mobility requirements so we can plan the connections around you.
Accommodation
A handpicked selection of quality wildlife lodges and retreats, chosen for their setting, comfort, hospitality and access to the landscapes explored. The precise accommodation plan will depend on availability and the preferred level of comfort. Named stays and room categories are confirmed with your proposal.
Customising your journey
We can tailor the route, duration and pace around your interests.
Is this a fixed itinerary?
No. This is a private journey that can be tailored to your interests, preferred pace, accommodation choices and travel arrangements. The sequence and duration of individual destinations can be reviewed during the planning process.
What wildlife can I expect to see?
The journey is designed around the Asiatic Lions of Gir and the Leopards of Jawai, alongside the Blackbuck, Indian Wolves, Asiatic Wild Ass and other wildlife of Velavadar, the Rann of Kutch and Desert National Park. Sightings depend on natural conditions and cannot be guaranteed.
Is this journey suitable for wildlife photographers?
Yes. The route spans a broad range of photographic environments, from forest and grassland to salt flats, granite formations and desert. The itinerary can be adapted around photographic priorities, with field time and safari schedules planned in consultation with the team.
Can the journey be made more comfortable with private aviation?
Optional business jet travel may be arranged to reduce travel time between distant regions. Availability, route feasibility, airport access and operational requirements will need to be confirmed before arrangements are finalised.
Can I extend the journey to other wildlife destinations in India?
Yes. Extensions to other reserves can be considered according to your interests, available time and seasonal conditions. The most suitable additions will be recommended during itinerary planning.
Booking & payment
Your proposal is subject to accommodation availability, permits and travel schedules. Confirm the deposit, balance due date, cancellation conditions and any non-refundable costs before payment.
Moments along the way
Look a little closer.
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curiosity lead?
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