Waghai is a town that is famous for the Gira Falls. Around the falls, tourists can find several camping sites that are being managed by the Forest Department. There are several famous attractions in this town like Waghai Botanical Garden.
About Waghai Botanical Gardens in Saputara, Gujarat :
Waghai Botanical Gardens was 2 km past Waghai, the nearest town. The garden and Bio-Diversity Conservation center have a wide range of native and exotic plant samples from which you can learn to identify plants. How they are learn used for food and medicine, and how much we depend on them. The garden was open from 8am-6pm and entry is free. There was a nature education trail which leads you to and from Vansda Park. You might not find people to welcome and orient you, but there was plenty of written information about the plants posted around the center.
Other Attractions in Saputara, Gujarat :
Gira Falls
Gira Falls A km. off the Saputara-Waghai Road leads to a vast clearing where the picturesque Gira Falls emerging from the Kapri tributary can be viewed. An absolute must from June to November. Visitors can get refreshments from a small tea and snack stall. Picnic Huts make it an ideal spot for relaxing and picnicking.
Botanical Garden
It is a large (24-hectare) garden with 1,400 varieties of plants from all over India. The amateur nature lover can marvel at different varieties of bamboo like the Chinese Bamboo, Golden Bamboo, Beer Bottle Bamboo, etc. and enjoy strolling along the beautiful walkways each lined with different species of tree. Visitors can also pick up cactus plants and enjoy a picnic at the picnic spot in the garden. Permission is required to enter. Drinking water and toilet facilities are available.
Shopping
A small private outlet selling locally crafted items fashioned out of Bamboo roots and chips. Unique items like the big sized bamboo lamps, kangaroos, deer are available only here and not elsewhere in the region.
Unnai Mata temple and Hot Springs
A drive of about 19 km. from Waghai brings one to the Unnai Mata temple. Visitors can bathe in the hot spring attached to this famous temple of considerable historical significance.
Vanil Udyog
A sprawling sawmill and woodworking unit, which also sells furniture that, the tourist can book and get delivered by paying an advance. The visitor can enjoy a guided tour and watch the transformation of logs of wood into tasteful furniture. Permission is required to enter. Vanil Udyog provides employees to assist as tour guides. Drinking water facilities are available.
Vansda National Park
A rich and old forest predominantly covered by very tall teak trees, mango groves and gigantic creepers. The forest is extremely dense and some parts are dark even during normal daytime. The forest is a habitat of Monkeys, Deer, a few Leopards and a wide species of birds. Permission is required to enter the Park.
How To Reach There :
By road: The park lies close to National Highway 8 and is bisected by the Waghai-Vansda State Highway. The nearest town is Waghai, 4km away. It is 28 km from Ahwa, 40 km from Billimora, and 60 km from Saputara. The area is easiest explored with a private vehicle, but public transport is available, though less convenient. There are buses from Surat, Billimora, and Valsad to Vansda village, and from there you can hire a jeep to the park for about Rs 50/- per person. There are no taxi operations close to Vansda, but you can also get a cab from Surat, Bilimora or Valsad.
By ST bus : Ahwa, the district headquarters and on a plateau from which begins the ascenscion from Waghai to Saputara, is often the most convenient place to arrive in the Dangs.
By rail: The nearest railway station is Waghai. The narrow gauge rail link connecting Ahwa to Billimora runs through the park, but ask around to check if its still functioning when you come here.
By air: The nearest airport is in Surat, 120 km away.