Key hubs
Ratanmahal airport and railway station
- Airport
- Vadodara Airport (BDQ), roughly 125 km from Dahod and about 160 km from the sanctuary by road, several hours' drive
- Railway station
- Dahod (DHD) on the Delhi–Mumbai main line is the usual railhead, about 55–70 km from the sanctuary; Godhra (GDA) is also around 85 km
- Getting around
- A hired car with driver is essential; the camps are reached by forest roads and the hill section may need a four-wheel-drive or local vehicle
How to reach Ratanmahal by air
Vadodara Airport (BDQ) is the nearest major airport, about 125 km from Dahod and roughly 160 km from the sanctuary; allow several hours by road. Indore and Ahmedabad are farther.
How to reach Ratanmahal by train
Dahod Junction (DHD) on the Delhi–Mumbai main line is the usual railhead, about 55 to 70 km from the sanctuary. Godhra (GDA) is also around 85 km away.
How to reach Ratanmahal by road
The sanctuary lies near Devgadh Baria, which is about 14 km south of the Ahmedabad–Indore highway (NH59). Kanjeta is roughly 55 km from Dahod bus station and about 30 to 40 km from Baria. Roads are narrow in the last stretch.
Getting around Ratanmahal
There is no local public transport worth planning around. Hire a car with a driver for the whole trip; the hill road from Baria Kanjeta may need a four-wheel-drive or local vehicle, so check before travelling.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Ratanmahal
- Treat this as an outdoor trip with long road stretches: expect around two to three hours from Dahod, and more from Vadodara.
- Ask Gujarat Tourism or the forest office about the road to the hill before you go; the upper section may need a four-wheel-drive or local vehicle.
- Carry regular medicines, a basic first-aid kit, sun protection and plenty of water; medical help is not close to the camps.
- Use a vehicle with a driver who knows the forest roads and avoid driving at night, when wildlife moves near the road.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.