South Gujarat’s First Jungle Safari Opens at Kevdi Forest in Surat District

Surat: South Gujarat’s first jungle safari has been launched in the Kevdi forest area of Mandvi taluka, offering visitors a two-hour wildlife experience along a five-km natural forest trail from the Kevdi Eco Tourism site to Raja no Taka. The safari, operated in eight-seater vehicles, costs ₹3,400 per vehicle from Monday to Friday and ₹4,000 on Saturdays and Sundays.

According to the official booking details released by the Surat Forest Department, the safari operates in three daily slots: 9 am to 11 am, 10 am to noon, and 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm. Visitors can book the safari by contacting 9537457993.

The initiative aims to develop Kevdi into a major wildlife tourism and eco-tourism destination in South Gujarat. The forest trail offers visitors an opportunity to observe wildlife, including deer, nilgai (blue bull), leopards and flying squirrels, in their natural habitat, besides hundreds of bird species.

The Surat Forest Department has initially introduced diesel-powered safari vehicles, with electric (EV) jeeps planned for the next phase to reduce noise and exhaust pollution and minimise disturbance to wildlife.

Dhiraj Kumar, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Surat Division, said the department’s objective was to make the safari experience completely eco-friendly. The broader plan includes developing a combination of jungle safari, eco-campsites and green transportation facilities.

Kevdi, located in the Mandvi South Range, has emerged as a key destination for birdwatching. A bird festival held in the area in 2023 recorded 116 bird species, while a subsequent comprehensive survey identified 202 species. Hornbills and several other rare birds can also be spotted in the forest.

Punit Nayyar, Conservator of Forests (CCF), Surat Circle, said the safari was designed to provide visitors with an authentic forest experience rather than an artificial environment similar to a zoo.

The trail, which winds through dense vegetation and shaded forest stretches, offers visitors an opportunity to experience the region’s natural surroundings, bird calls and wildlife. The flying squirrel, considered a rare species, is expected to be among the major attractions of the safari. DeshGujarat