Rann Riders Lodge at Little Rann of Kutch

 #theshaikhwithoutcamels

Spending time in nature is often restorative, but there is something especially powerful about being in a natural setting which forces a nature lover to plan for a getaway into the wild. Plans are laid to scan for a destination which is unique with its topography and biodiversity.

My recommendation is the ’Arid Saline Flatlands’ of the ’Little Rann of Kutch’, an inevitable getaway from the tangle of everyday life. Arrive at Ahmedabad city in Gujarat, India and take a road trip on a northwest bound road. For couple of hours run through scores of small & big villages leading into a laid-back town on the verge of an unforgiving terrain known as the ’Little Rann of Kutch’. 

The ’Little Rann of Kutch’ is a globally popular biome, a highly unique ecosystem that acts as a shallow, seasonal marshland during monsoons. The same landscape turns into a hard, white salt pan in the winter months and bakes ferociously during the scorching summers.

This is Dasada town on the eastern edge of the ’Arid Salt Flatlands’. The town itself is relatively green and vegetated, with scenes of domestic cattle grazing in the semi-arid farmlands broken by a frail view of neighbouring hamlets and villages visible over the horizon dotted with several avian species.

Stone’s throw from Dasada town, one walks into this incredible place, the ’Rann Riders’ lodge. A stay that perfectly blends luxury, comfort and peace, displaying an inexplicable restorative power of nature retreats. The serene atmosphere of the property offers the guests a spell of rejuvenation that instantly breaks the jinx of the daily hustling life and fortifies the visitor in the unparalleled beauty of nature. Located not far from the flatlands and on the edge of the great arid patch, this oasis, the ’Rann Riders’ lodge, offers awe – geological, cultural, wildlife and ancient human civilisations.

’Rann Riders’ lodge offers 27 cottages & rooms of which 16 are reminiscent of ethnic architecture of ’Kooba’ and the ’Bhunga’, the residences constructed by the local Bajania and Rabari tribals respectively, 6 Safari cottages and 5 Premium rooms. One can splash through two designed fresh water pools, walk by a relaxing central lounge that is used to sit, lay, read, work or journaling, something I love to do when I visit there. The Lodge also has a rejuvenating wellness centre. Highly illuminated & airy cottages and rooms are luxurious with comfortable beds, immaculate bathrooms with private showers & running hot water and patios in front of every room or cottage entrance. The bhungas have swings that showcase traditional Gujarati culture. The lodge also has two water reservoirs keeping in view their commitment to ecotourism and sustainability. The property over the years has been planted with thousands of endemic plantations providing heavenly roosting for the resident birds who in turn stir up the property with renewed life as the sun sets. The property has an adorable stable that is a must visit.

’Rann Riders’ lodge is a food lovers heaven. The experiential kitchen staff offers a diverse menu consisting of local and international cuisine which is served following a brief parley by the staff on likes, dislikes and allergies of the guest. Some of the fruits and vegetables are organically farmed at the property itself.

Dasada town and its vicinity is loved and admired for its laid-back bazaars and locals by the visitors. Beyond the luxury of the lodge lies a vibrant retail culture waiting to be explored. From traditional bazaars to breezy roadside stalls, the town reveals a more colourful, daily lifestyle of the region. Especially when wandering through the temporary residential spaces of the ’Mir Tribe’ where it’s just not about shopping; it's about experiencing the essence of the tribe. As one goes around, one soaks the aroma of the food being cooked, hears lively bargaining, and discovers the handcrafted treasures that carry the soul of the area. Yet another attraction of the area is the use of the dromedary camels by a few local tribes as in transportation and carting. The Lodge offers ’Village Safaris’ for guests who wish to explore the Cultural & Anthropological side of the area.

’Rann Riders’ lodge is a gateway to the vast 4950 sq. km of the ’Little Rann Wildlife Sanctuary’ which makes it one of the biggest sanctuaries in India area wise. It is known more for its fauna rather than its flora. The sanctuary is an exclusive habitat for the endangered Asiatic Wild Ass addressed as ’Gudkhar’ by the locals. It is also home to Stripped Hyenas, Indian & Desert Foxes, Jungle & Desert Cats, Gray Wolves, Blue bulls, Jackals and more. The sanctuary is also labelled as ’birdwatcher's paradise’ owing to its wetlands and migratory passage. Over 250 bird species, including Lesser & Greater Flamingos, Lapwings, Houbara Bustards, Wheatears, Larks, Eagles, Harriers, Falcons, Pelicans, Cranes, Storks, Ducks and more. Reptiles with the likes of Spiny-tailed lizards, monitor lizards, various snakes, Indian Flapshell Turtles and more. The Lodge offers early morning and evening safaris for wildlife excursions accompanied by an expert naturalist cum driver. As the sun sets the guests are forced to admire its graceful submerging journey – immersive. With the sunset comes a new glow on the ever-changing colours of the horizon bewitching the visitors who find themselves breathless with anticipation and pause to wonder at the desert biomes’ extremes.

While on the Wildlife Safari the guests are given a peek into the hard life of the ’Agariyas’, the traditional salt-farming community dwelling in the arid wilderness of the Little Rann of Kutch. Braving extreme desert heat, this undaunting community harvest about 30% to 70% of India's inland salt. Their arduous lifestyle is defined by traditional extraction methods and critical daily struggles. As the monsoon recedes around October about 8,000 Agariya families camp deep into the arid salt flats to dig wells in the desert crust and pump out concentrated, sub-soil saline water into square salt pans.

The ’Rann Riders’ lodge imbibes memories that stays with the one forever. Standing on this oasis in the midst of an arid topography one absorbs the beauty of each new day. Visitors experience the arid saline flat biome in all its glory, realizing a new-found appreciation for the desert, its birds & animals and for the people who reside in and around it. Whether one is looking for tranquillity, an adrenaline rush or the sound of luxury, ’Rann Riders’ lodge is the place. A getaway that relives you from constant pull of deadlines, obligations and fades responsibilities into the background, replacing it by the quieter rhythms of nature.

Tips

1.       The best season to visit is between October to April when the climate is pleasant

2.       Do opt for a Village Safari

3.       Take early morning and late evening walks within the property

#theshaikhwithoutcamels