Zarwani Waterfalls, Vadodara Overview

At a distance of about 90 km from Vadodara in Gujarat, Zarwani Waterfalls are amongst the most sought natural destinations in India. Huddled deep inside the heart of Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary near the district of Narmada, the perennial and gorgeous Zarwani Waterfalls provide you with an opportunity to trek, picnic, and indulge in wildlife photography.

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Things to Do

Picnic around these waterfalls and listen to the birds nearby singing while feasting on a snack of your choice. Additionally, you can make a visit close-by tourist spots:

1. Sardar Sarovar Dam

Widely recognised as the biggest of its kind on the Narmada River, Sardar Sarovar Dam is located near Rajpipla. Supplying hydroelectric power to multiple states neighbouring Gujarat, this dam is a marvel to behold and a site of much historical interest. Those visiting can additionally go for boating within the catchment area. If you’re visiting Zarwani Waterfalls, you wouldn’t want to miss these dams.

2. Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary

Covering an expanse of about 607 sq km, Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most diverse forests in India and home to Zarwani Waterfalls themselves. Teeming with over 575 species of fauna, this forest contains everything from tropical plants to deciduous trees. One shouldn’t miss the opportunity to go on a safari in this ecosystem. A home to such varied species of animals as hyenas, leopards, rare rhesus monkeys, pythons, flying squirrels, sloth bears, near-extinct barking deers, pangolins and multiple species of wild dogs, these forests also let one indulge in their passion for wildlife photography. For the bird enthusiasts, there’s migratory birds from the Himalayas and Western Ghats. Set in the Rajpipla hills, this sanctuary is also abundant in natural beauty. It’s a must to explore for those visiting Zarwani Waterfalls.

3. Samot Malsamot Eco Campsite

About a 28km long, two hour drive from Rajpipla, this campsite is the most ideal location if you like serene forests with tall trees. Along with multiple teak trees, the Samot-Malsamot campsite has breathtaking view points facing the valley -- you can look at the sunset or sunrise because both make for a beautiful sight. Since it is elevated, the location has a slightly cooler climate. The good thing is you would not have to carry your own snacks since the food here is arranged by locals in the area. Nearby is another waterfall (Ninai), which although smaller than Zarwani Waterfalls, is slightly greener.

4. The Shoolpaneshwar Temple

This is a Mahadev temple situated near the Narmada River. Since it was previously located near the basin of the Sardar Sarovar Dam, they had to readjust it while building the dam. It is surrounded by beautiful forests and can only be reached by a boat ride, which is two hours long. It would be a distance of 5 kilometers if you are travelling from Baruch city. The Gujarat Tourism Board has set up a campsite nearby and the main activities are trekking, hiking, sightseeing along the banks of the river and praying at the temple. There is a lot of wildlife to explore nearby, including the Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. It has a lot of visitors in the “Shravana” month of the Hindu calendar (August to September).

Tips For Visiting Zarwani Waterfalls

1. You should look out for slippery rocks as they might have water running through them and will make it easier to lose balance. It is best to avoid these if you are near the waterfall.
2. Smoking is prohibited according to the visiting rules in the waterfall and forest area.
3. Use the electricity there mindfully - as it is actually generated by solar energy and you do not want to run out of it in case of emergencies.
4. It is advisable to wear sports shoes as there will be trekking involved.
5. Try and carry lighter luggage as you do not want to drag around a heavy bag.
6. You must get permission from the Forest Office to visit the waterfall.
7. Depending on the area that you are in, using flash photography and disturbing activities like playing loud music may not be allowed or encouraged.

How To Reach Zarwani Waterfalls

By Air: The closest airport to Zarwani Waterfalls is the Baroda (Vadodara) Airport, which is 97 kms away, approximately a two-hour journey.
By Rail: It should take about 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach Zarwani Waterfalls if you are at the Vadodara Railway Station. If you are travelling from the New Delhi region, the station should also be connected to remote areas like Ratlam and Mathura. Train journeys also give you a closer view of the destination as well as the areas surrounding it.
By Car or Bus: For locals of Vadodara itself, travelling to Zarwani Waterfalls should not be difficult. Both the nearest airport and railway station are in this city - which is 90 kilometres away from the falls. The destination is 28 kilometres away from Rajpipla. So if you are travelling in a car or the bus, you will pass through the National Highway-8, which is also linked to major cities such as Mumbai and New Delhi. The main attractions themselves are not too far from Zarwani Waterfalls, and some of them are even on the way to the falls. This makes navigation a lot easier.

Best Time To Visit Zarwani Waterfalls

The best time to visit Zarwani Waterfalls is in months of November to February. The temperature in these months is within the range of a moderate 20 to 30 degrees. Visiting these falls in the summers is inadvisable as the heat and humidity make it unpleasant to trek and picnic in the forests.

Finding Accomodation

The Gujarat State Tourism Board has set up multiple campsites near the waterfalls. These range from being nearer to sanctuaries, the falls or temples situated on the banks of the Narmada River. Rajpipla is the nearest area you can find a resort in, however, even Kevadia and Garudeswar have a few. The resort options vary from being either government or private-owned property. However, these would make for a more relaxing stay if you prefer not to go camping but wish to see nature while touring comfortably.