Namita SawantA trip to Silvassa during a long weekend is a safe bet, especially if you are a Mumbaikar. Instead of heading to popular destinations like Igatpuri, Lonavala, Karjat, and the like, we chose Silvassa for this long Christmas weekend, and it turned out to be a good decision. Barring some traffic on the Western Express Highway, the journey was smooth.
Silvassa is the largest city in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and is popular for its wildlife sanctuaries. It is also close to beaches. The best part is its proximity to Mumbai, lying between the Maharashtra and Gujarat border.
‘Welcome to the smart city Silvassa’ is what you will see on buses and banners. There’s a lot of construction work happening — roads and buildings — so all I observed were dusty roads lined by even dustier local shops selling winter clothes. It is described as a city blessed with an abundance of nature, which I witnessed at the beautiful gardens.
In this blog post, I will share the top places to visit in Silvassa and the best Silvassa resort to plan your long weekend getaway.
Which is best time to visit Silvassa?
The best time to visit Silvassa is during winters, between September and February. The climate in Silvassa during the month of December is pleasant, a little colder than Mumbai. So, pack accordingly.
Top places to visit during your trip to Silvassa
Silvassa Vasona Lion Safari Park
A jungle safari with a 100% chance of sighting a lion—yes, that’s Silvassa Vasona Lion Safari Park. The park is open every day of the week, except Monday. There’s a nominal entry fee for the safari. Unlike other zoos or parks where the animals are caged, at this park, they place us in caged buses and take us into the jungle. We spotted one lion and two lionesses. The safari tour was just 10 minutes, but sighting the king of the jungle made the wait worthwhile.
There was a huge line to get into the buses, and after a long wait when we did enter one, the bus broke down. We were then shifted to another bus which rushed past the lions, who were stationary at their spot. I wonder how they manage to make these huge beasts stay at one spot, and that too close to the entry gate.
Friendly tip – Google Maps shows two locations for this destination. Confirm the correct one before you set out.”
Vanganga Lake Garden
A beautiful and well-maintained garden, Vanganga Lake Garden has a nominal entry fee, and it sprawls across seven hectares of land. The garden features wonderful play areas for kids and a hanging bridge where you can capture beautiful pictures. It’s best to visit the garden around sunset so that you don’t miss the sound and light show against the backdrop of scenic lake views. The show starts at 7 pm sharp and lasts for half an hour.
I could have never imagined such a mesmerizing show in a garden in Silvassa. If you want to experience boating in Silvassa, this is the place where you can enjoy the activity.
Satmaliya Sanctuary-Deer Park
Located in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, this is another wildlife sanctuary to explore. The Satmaliya Sanctuary Deer Park bus ride ticket price is Rs. 25 per adult. Like the lion safari, buses operate inside the forest where you can spot sambar deer and spotted deer.
Sadly, we couldn’t take this bus ride as the crowd was huge, and the waiting time to get into the bus was more than an hour. Plan your day trip to Silvassa so that you visit this park before the lion park. The distance between both parks is not more than 15 minutes.
Nakshatra Garden, Silvassa
As the name suggests, this is an astro-themed garden displaying a variety of trees and plants. It is a vast garden that offers dedicated playing zones for kids. Besides, you can find several medicinal herbs in this garden. The park is open every day of the week, from 7 in the morning to 7 in the evening. There are beautiful walking paths lined with several flowering plants.
Dudhni lake
For water sports enthusiasts, a visit to the serene Dudhni Lake is a must. In our short trip, we couldn’t explore this place, but it comes across as an ideal spot for boating, kayaking, and the like.”
Best resort in Silvassa
We stayed at Wonderland Resort in Silvassa. Our package included a two-night stay with a free breakfast buffet at a cost of approximately Rs. 6500 per night (Rs. 900+GST extra for kid about 6 years). The resort is beautiful and well-maintained. However, the room service was not quick. The restaurant at the resort served good meals, but the prices were high. Imagine paying Rs. 50 for a mineral water bottle that costs Rs. 20.
So, I have mixed reviews about the resort. While it had all the amenities, including a swimming pool and an indoor play area with table tennis, carrom, etc., I found it a bit overpriced. There are many luxury resorts in Silvassa, and it is best to research before booking your stay.
Is Silvassa worth a visit?
A trip to Silvassa is a must for the diverse landscape it offers, including wildlife sanctuaries, picturesque gardens, and wonderful lakes. With roads adorned in Warli art and walls displaying the same, I am sure that in a few years, this smart city will become a prominent tourist attraction.
So, if you’re wondering how many days are sufficient for Silvassa, I would say two days are enough to explore the city. However, if you plan to explore Moti Daman and Nani Daman forts, which are an hour’s drive from Silvassa, it is best to plan a three-day trip. Only after reaching here did we find out that there are many places you can explore nearby. Perhaps on some other long weekend, I will explore them!
Thank you for reading the blog. If you are looking for more places to explore in Gujarat, check out this blog: A day trip to Statue of Unity, Gujarat (bestofindiatravels.com)
If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments.
