Good news for all the birders out there! Now you have something special to look up to if you are in and around Mumbai. Head to the Flamingo Sanctuary for a wonderful day out with the beautiful migratory birds. Because now you can take a flamingo safari in Mumbai and this one is 1690 hectares of mudflats and mangroves between Vashi and Airoli (Thane Creek Mudflats).One of the lesser explored areas of Mumbai, the creek region is where these lovely birds fly in from Kutch for almost 3 months.
It is from here that the migratory birds can be seen in their natural habitat and the government has made significant efforts to turn this place into a talk of the town. Plan an outing on weekend with friends or family, the city’s Flamingo Sanctuary is worth a visit this migratory season.
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Take a boat and reach the mudflat from where you can actually watch the migratory flamingoes. With effect from February 1, 2018, Maharashtra’s mangroves department has introduced a 24-seater boat exclusively to take the tourists inside the mangroves which go as deep as 10 km. Additionally, there is an 8-seater speed boat that delves deeper into the mangroves from where almost all the migratory birds can be spotted from the close quarters.
The speedboat is just perfect for a family or group of friends. Earlier tourists had the option of watching these wonderful birds from Sewri mudflat and Uran, and that too only from a distance. Now, this is some exciting adventure awaiting in Vashi and Airoli mudflats.
Best time: This is the best time! Yes, February end – May beginning is the best time to visit the migratory bird in the sanctuary
Address:
Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Centre
2/Mangrove Forest, Sector 10, Diva Nagar Road
Airoli, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 400708
Timings: 10 am to 6 pm
Flamingo Sanctuary entry fees: INR 50 per head for adults, INR 25 per head for kids
Boat ride charges:
INR 300 (Monday to Friday), INR 400 (Saturday & Sunday) per person
INR 5000 per speedboat for 7 people
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Note: From Airoli bridge tourists can avail Ferry service to Flamingo sanctuary’s Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Centre
With all the exciting coastal views and glittering skyline, the tinsel town throws in plenty of attractions for travelers. But this flamingo safari in Mumbai is the perfect dose of awesomeness for all everyone looking for a secluded slip in the bustling city.
Further Read: 12 Unique Experiences You Can Only Have In Mumbai
