Continuing the series, I will list all eco campsites of Gujarat in this article, with photos and adequate information.
Padamdungari Campsite //Campsite near the Dangs
Note: I’ve not been to all the campsites personally. I tried best to gather and provide details as accurately as possible. If you find something wrong here, contact me or drop a comment down.
Update (23-02-2016): Yesterday, I received an email from Deepak I Mehta, Vadodara. Mr. Mehta has visited most of the campsites listed down. He has provided missing details of many campsites. Updating this article to add them. A huge thank you:)
What Is Eco Tourism & Campsites
Eco tourism is defined as: “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.”
Most of the campsites have some common characteristics:
They are far from concrete jungles. In fact, most of them are located deep inside actual jungles. 🙂
River nearby
Basic Accommodation – Tent and Dormitory
Basic Food
Less crowded
Peaceful atmosphere. Relaxed ambience. Noise free life.
The eco campsites and nature education sites in Gujarat are generally maintained by EDC – Eco-tourism Development Committee.
The List
Click on each campsites title name for quick summary, location, driving directions, booking information, booking contact numbers and photos.
Click/tap on campsite title for more details.
I’ve created a custom map of all the listed campsites. View It.
1. Mahal Campsite, Dang
Surrounded by Purna Wild Life Sanctuary, Mahal Campsite has excellent walking and trekking options. Recently, (February 2016), an event named Dang Bird Festival has been organized at this campsite.
Location: Mahal Village, Purna Wild Life Sanctuary, Ahwa, Dang
Padamdungri is campsite located on the banks of Ambika river, 10 km from Unai and 30 km from Vyara town. Developed and maintained by Eco Tourism Development Committee (EDC), Padam Dungari stands amongst forests of Sahyadri mountain range. Padamdungari is one of the 4 eco tourism sites in the Dang area.
There are two campsites in Gujarat having same name, ‘Kevdi’. One is in near Vadodara and another is near Surat. Refer to this map for more clarification. Information below is for Kevdi Eco Campsite near Vadodara.
Image: Gujarat Tourism
Location: Road connecting Jambughoda Sanctuary and Ratanmahal Sanctuary, SH62, in Vadodara
Route: Vadodara – Dabhoi – Bodeli – Tejgadh – Zoz – Kevdi & back (Approx.distance from Vadodara 132 kms)
Located among dense jungle and ancient temples, Polo Forest Campsite is a good destination to chill out from Ahmedabad. The site is located on the banks of Vanaj river, near Harnav dam site.
Location: Polo Forest, Vijayanagar, Idar
Booking Contact:
Himmatnagar Forest Department
Contact Number 1: 02772243090
Contact Number 2: 02772247279
Zarvani Campsite is situated inside the Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to a gamut of flora & fauna. It’s near Narmada campsite. Other sightseeing areas nearby include the Zarwani waterfalls, the Shoolpaneshwar Temple, the Gheer Khadi.
Image: Gujarat Tourism
Location: Thawadia checkpost, Narmada dam site, Rajpipla
Route: Vadodara – Dabhoi – Rajpipla – Village Gora – Zarwani (Distance approx.110 kms)
Booking Contact: Deputy Conservator of Forest
Narmada Forest Division
Near Vadia Jakat Naka,
Rajpipla – 393145
Kilad eco campsite is nature education center cum ecotourism site contained in Vansda National Park. The campsite is 2 km off Vansda – Waghai state highway, on the banks of Ambika river.
Along with the tag of campsite, Kilad also holds tag of nature education center.
Location: Kilad, On Way to Saputara, Vansda Waghai Road, Near Waghai, Navsari
Booking Contact:
Range Forest Office Vansda: 02630 230057
Forest Officer Mr. Garasia: +91 9428022415
Forest Ranger Mr. Joshi: +91 9426855593
Mr Harishbhai: +91 8758650555
Mr Madhubhai: +91 94277782712
Devinamal Campsite is an Eco-tourism site located 5 km off from the Dang district headquarter, Ahwa. Placed amidst the dense jungles of the Dangs, Devinamal has emerged as fresh Eco-tourism center after Kilad and Mahal.
This irrigation reservoir and wetland located 10 kms from Dabhoi & 20 kms from the Jambughoda village, is the water source for 25 nearby villages, and a popular birdwatching site.
The site is surrounded by several forest areas, namely, Karjan forest area, Dediyapada forest area and Dang forest area, and fertile agricultural plains and river valleys.
Situated amidst Satpura hills on the banks of the River Karjan, Junaraj was old capital of Rajpipla state. Eco cottages have been built in Junaraj village.
There’s another campsite near Kanjeta. Udal Mahuda – No information available but very near to Kanjeta (maximum for about 6 to 7 kms).
Source: Ketan I Mehta
13. Dhanpari Eco Campsite, Jambughoda, Panchmahal
The campsite is near the Kada Dam and its a beautiful site to visit with a picturesque location and it also has a forest rest house. The campsite is surrounded by this magnificent forest.
Location: Targol, In Jambughoda Sanctuary, Vadodara
Route: Route–1 Vadodara – Halol – Pavagadh – Jambughoda.
On the way, just 5 kms away before you reach Zand Hanuman (Jambughoda), there is a diversion for Targol Eco Campsite for another 09 kms from this diversion.
Hey Darpan,
I read your post, this has been of great help to plan a weekend getaway with family and friends.
Thanks for this.
I also have one question though.
All the stay places mentioned here are either run by the government or are held by some private sector.
Can you suggest some places where we can camp(Like set up tents, cook, and camp-fire) by ourselves?
This will be of great help, thanks in advance.
We visited Vishal khadi eco camp site on 22-23 July 2017.
Very nice place….
but few things to be note down for visitors who are interested in night stay…
(1) No GEB electricity there…only solar operated small fan and light in the room..
(2) No mobile networks..
(3) Rooms are comparatively nice/ok….
(4) Lots of insects, creatures may come to your room…..huh….
(5) Atmosphere at night is horrible… so always go in group families not single family…
But overall experience was good….
Great Job done darpanbhai, very informative sight at one place, i had tried with other link but was very difficult, here you have made avialable everything at one place, bravo darpan
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