Bhigwan Bird Camping
Bhigwan, Indapur taluka, Pune district
If you are looking for a birdwatching camping trip near Pune, Bhigwan is a great choice. The small town on the Ujani dam backwaters in Indapur taluka draws thousands of flamingos and migratory birds every winter, and camps along the water set up sunrise boat rides through the flocks. Even without binoculars, a flamingo-filled morning on the water is worth the drive. The landscape is open grassland, so sunsets and night skies come free. Daund is the nearest station at about 30 km, and Bhigwan lies right off the Pune-Solapur highway, roughly 105 km from Pune.
Why go
- Flamingos and migratory birds on the Ujani backwaters
- Boat rides at sunrise for bird photography
- Open grassland camping under big skies
Travel at a glance
How to reach
From Pune, take the Solapur highway (NH 65) straight to Bhigwan, about 105 km and 2.5 hours. Daund is the nearest railhead at about 30 km. From Mumbai it is a 265 km drive, best broken with an overnight.
Nearest railway station
Daund, about 30 km away
Things to carry
Boat rides start before sunrise and mornings on the water are cold, so layer up. Do not chase or corner birds for photos, and follow the boatman's route; the backwaters have shallow mudbanks.
FAQs
When do flamingos come to Bhigwan?
Usually December to March, with numbers peaking in January and February depending on water levels.
Do I need to be a birder to enjoy Bhigwan?
Not at all. A sunrise boat ride through hundreds of flamingos is spectacular even for complete beginners.
Is Bhigwan doable as a day trip from Pune?
Yes, but the best birding is at dawn, so an overnight camp or a very early start (leaving Pune by 3:30 am) works best.