Once the hunting playground of the Maharaja of Bhavnagar, the 34-square-kilometre park was created in 1976 to preserve this habitat of flora and fauna. The park has the largest population of the endangered blackbuck in India, and is also home to Lesser florican, one of the 50 rare birds in the world. Other birds that are speciality here are saras crane and Stolikza’s bushchat. You will also find quails, harriers, falcons, wheatears, and eagles.The Details: The nearest airport is Bhavnagar, located an hour from Velavadar. Ahmedabad airport is another option since it is only a two-and- a-half-hour drive. Book your stay at the Blackbuck Lodge (theblackbucklodge.com), which has 14 cottages, a restaurant, and a library. The entry fee is Rs 400 per car; additional Rs 100 for camera.

The primary way to roam around the reserve is in your own car, for which a permit is required from the forest department. In addition, the forest lodge is deep inside the reserve, so one can take long walks while watching the antelopes play around in the grasslands at very close proximity. We stayed at the forest lodge for two nights. At night the forest becomes active. The lodge has a terrace, which serves as a blackbuck viewing area during the day, and a fantastic place to spot the many stars that dot the sky in the night. The food at the lodge is simple Kathiawadi thali, and the kitchen crew needs to be notified earlier in the day if one plans to have dinner there. They were also happy to cook and serve Maggi and soup that we carried along free of cost. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Blackbuck National park, much more so because we didn't know what to expect before we arrived.

1. While going to Velavadar stop at Lothal ancient harrapan civilisation 2. Velavadar black buck sanctury. (Dont forget to book the forest guest house for night stay) 3. Visit to Bhavnagar - nilam baug palace, barton museum

This is the best place to take a break if you're choosing this route. The surroundings are promising and there are chances of spotting a wild cat, foxes, jackals, hyenas or a civet at night; be it winter or summer. The reason i love this place is that it is a Blackbuck National Park. One can spot blackbucks, bluebull, sambar deer, hog deer easily.