The Rann of Kutch is a geographically unique landscape, once an arm of the Arabian Sea. Cut off from the sea by geological forces, it became a vast, featureless plain, crusted with salt and flooded during the monsoon.
During a safari across the Little Rann, you visit the “bets”, islands on the former seabed that are now higher ground covered in grass and scrub.
These “bets” host a varied wildlife, including the “ghudkhur” (Asiatic wild ass), found nowhere else. Capable of reaching high speeds when galloping across the Rann, the wild ass typically moves in small herds.
The elegant blackbuck (Indian antelope), the nilgai or blue bull (the largest antelope found in India) and the graceful chinkara (Indian gazelle) are among the other mammals you may encounter.
The main carnivores of the Little Rann of Kutch are the Indian wolf, the desert fox, the Indian fox, jackals, desert and jungle cats, and a few hyenas, which are endangered.
Smaller mammals such as hares, gerbils and hedgehogs, as well as reptiles such as the spiny-tailed lizard, monitor lizard, red sand boa and common sand boa, saw-scaled viper, cobra and dhaman (Indian rat snake), have also been recorded during safaris in the Rann.
The Little Rann of Kutch is a haven for birdwatching and has been designated a Ramsar site. During safaris in the Rann, expect to see large flocks of larks and other dryland birds such as sandgrouse, coursers, plovers, chats, warblers, babblers and shrikes. Among the many winter visitors are the MacQueen's bustard and the spotted sandgrouse.
