Gir National Park
Gir Wildlife Sanctuary(Sasan Gir)
Get ready for a unique and exciting adventure at Gir National Park, deep within the dry deciduous Gujarat jungles. It is the last abode of the royal Asiatic Lion among other thriving species.
The park has a stunning landscape of rocky hills, valleys and calming rivers covering over 1,410 sq km. Gir is the perfect tourist destination for wildlife lovers who want to see a diverse surrounding contradictory to the usual dense vegetation of other National Parks.
Without a doubt, the highlight of Gir is the endangered majestic Asiatic Lion. The park is recognised for their conservation efforts in restoring these powerful predators that were once on the verge of extinction.
So, pack your bags, bring along your binoculars and camera to explore this must-visit park, loved by conservationists, naturalists, and visitors from all around the globe.
Interesting Fact – Gir
The Gir forest was once the private hunting ground of the Nawabs of Junagadh. Thankfully, their passion for hunting also led to a degree of protection for the Asiatic lion population.
Prime Predators
Gir’s top predators are Asiatic Lions, Leopards, Stripted Hyena and jungle Cats
Famous For?
Home to wild Asiatic lions! They’re the only ones outside Africa and rule the park like kings.
Major Wildlife
Asiatis Lion, Leopards, Spotted Deer, Stripted Hyena, Wild Boar, Chinkara, Sambar Deer and 425 Bird Species
Flora & Fauna in the Park
Gir gets its name of a very dry deciduous jungle by the dominant teak trees that cover almost half of the forest. Other similar trees like Tendu, Dhak, Jamun and Acacia also fill up this abundance.
During nature trails you may spot evergreen flora like Neem and Peepal that provide moisture and shelter. A semi-grassland feel is created by pockets of open scrub of Charal, Umro and Karanj plants. The forest department has planted Casuarina and Prosopis trees for coastal conservation.
This pleasant climate and flora call for a large diversity of fauna. The star is the Asiatic Lion adapted well to the forests. Their mane and ability to climb trees for shelter makes them stand apart from the African Lions. Look out for herbivores like nilgai (Asia’s largest antelope), spotted deer and chinkara gazelle.
Sloth bears, hyenas and leopards balance the food chain here. Birdwatchers are in for a treat as Gir has eagles, peafowls, Indian florican, owls and more. An enhanced biodiversity can be observed by reptiles like crocodiles and the Indian cobra that call this place home.
Mammals
- Asiatic Lion
- Chinkara
- Four-horned Antelope
- Honey badger
- Indian jackal
- Jungle Cat
- Nilgai
- Sambar Deer
- Striped Hyena
- Wild Boar
Birds
- Black drongo
- Common buzzard
- Crested serpent eagle
- Indian peafowl
- Indian sandgrouse
- Oriental pratincole,
- ainted spurfowl
- Pied bushchat
- Sarus crane
- White-breasted kingfisher
Reptiles
- Black cobra
- Indian rock python
- Indian star tortoise
- Monitor lizard
- Russell’s viper
- Saw-scaled viper
- Sind krait
- Spotted gecko
- Varanus bengalensis
- Water snake
Safari in Gir National Park
Doing a jungle safari at Gir National Park is a thrilling and adventurous experience. The main attraction of the safari is sighting a lion that is extremely rewarding. You can do an open jeep safari usually taking about 3 hours. Touring through the dry forests while watching wildlife gives you in-depth knowledge of the park’s ecosystem.
Savouring the smell of the fragrant flora around when strolling through natural trails is very refreshing. Gir Interpretation Zone (Devalia Safari) is a shorter safari in an eco-tourism protected area. It is designed specially for lion sighting.
You can also enjoy Night Safari in Gir to experience the thrill of sighting predators and nocturnal animals like owls, jackals, and leopards. Make the best of nature trail walks and bird excursion programs if any are available at the time of your visit.
Open jeep safaris are available twice daily at fixed timings in the early morning and evening. 4×4 Jeep has a group of tourists with an expert guide who leads the route to explore the forest and spot maximum wildlife including lions.
Gir remains closed during the monsoon season of Mid June to Mid October due to heavy rains and animals’ breeding season.
Gir Safari Tours
Gir Budget Safari
Discover India’s last abode of Asiatic lions at Gir on an affordable safari, spotting majestic beasts economically.
Gir Weekend Safari
Spend your weekend immersed in Gir’s wilderness, spotting magnificent Asiatic lions up close.
Tadoba, Pench & Gir
Explore the wild in Ranthambore, Jawai, and Gir—home to tigers, leopards, and lions!
Safari Zones or Gates
Gir has two main safari zones and one gate that poses as the entry point for all jeeps. Limited number of jeeps are allowed into the park at any given time to reduce disturbing the wildlife. This number is different based on the zone and season you plan your visit.
Usually, 60-70 jeeps are allowed during one shift for the Gir Jungle Trail Safari whereas only 30-40 jeeps enter the Devalia Safari.
Sasan Gir Zone
This zone is covered by a large area within Gir and offers safaris that are 3 hours long. Due to more detailed track routes and time duration, this zone offers an increased chance of spotting diverse wildlife.
You are able to immerse yourself into this wilderness further and have a closer look at the flora and fauna hidden well inside the forest.
Devalia Interpretation Zone
This is a smaller zone compared to the previous one and offers 1.5 hours safari tours. It specifically prioritises lion sightings in a designated eco-tourism area. Devalia has the highest density of these strong predators and enhances your chances of spotting them in the wild.
If you are a tourist specially here for watching lions, this is the safari for you. Even families with kids/ babies opt for this short but fulfilling experience.
How to book Safari in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary
To book an end-to-end safari package in Gir National Park including airport transfer, accommodation, meals, and internal transfer, you may contact Big Cats India, or schedule a free discussion with our experts to understand the best safari zone to book, based on your area of interest.
It is advised to plan your safari well in advance to get the best zones for sightings. If you are not sure which gate(s) to choose from, you can contact Big Cats India or message us for any assistance in booking your safari in Gir.
You can also book Gir Safari online from the tourism website where you can also see the exact entry fee, jeep safari fee, and guide fee. However, this website only books your safari permits, not the accommodation, food, and internal transfer to the reserve gates.
Open Jeep Safari
Be ready for the thrill of a jeep safari with 4-6 passengers. A trained jeep driver and a naturalist with years of experience will ride along for your adventure.
Canter Safari
The rugged terrain and thick forests make it impossible to allow canter safaris at Gir.
| Summer | Pre-Winter | Winters |
|---|---|---|
| 06:00 to 10:00 Hrs | 06:00 to 10:00 Hrs | 06:30 to 10:00 Hrs |
| Summer | Pre-Winter | Winters |
|---|---|---|
| 15:00 to 18:30 Hrs | 15:00 to 18:00 Hrs | 13:00 to 18:00 Hrs |
Weather in Gir
As the months go by, Gir witnessing a very diverse climate ranging from 7°C to 43°C throughout the year.
The summer season from March to May has extreme temperatures and barely any rainfall (28°C to 43°C). June to October is the monsoon season (25°C to 35°C) with heavy rains of about 70% of annual rain. The park becomes inaccessible and thus remains closed in this time.
October to November is the post monsoon season with few showers and decent climate (22°C to 32°C). Winter is the most comfortable and pleasant season between November to February as temperatures vary from 7°C to 28°C.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Min(°C) | 14 | 17 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 20 | 15 |
| Max(°C) | 30 | 32 | 36 | 39 | 40 | 42 | 38 | 35 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 28 |
| Month | Min(°C) | Max(°C) |
| Jan | 14 | 30 |
| Feb | 17 | 32 |
| Mar | 22 | 36 |
| Apr | 26 | 39 |
| May | 26 | 40 |
| Jun | 28 | 42 |
| Jul | 28 | 38 |
| Aug | 27 | 35 |
| Sep | 26 | 33 |
| Oct | 24 | 32 |
| Nov | 20 | 30 |
| Dec | 15 | 28 |
Gir in Winters
The perfect season with rare rain showers and pleasant weather is the winter. It is the peak season for tourists as animals are very active and spotted easily during jeep safaris. Be prepared for crowds and book your tickets in advance.
Gir in Summers
Heat waves and extreme high temperatures make the exploration experience slightly discomforting for visitors. But wildlife lovers do target this season as more fauna step out near waterholes and pose for perfect photographs. It is also a more intimate and quiet experience.
Gir in Monsoon
As mentioned earlier, the heavy rains cause soil erosion, reduce visibility and make the forest unsafe for tourists. The closure of the park at this time also is beneficial for the wildlife as it is their breeding season and they do not like to be disturbed.
Best time to spot Lions at Gir National Park
Undoubtedly, tourists travel long distances to spot the majestic Asiatic Lion in Gir National Park. You will capture one of the most iconic pictures of your safari trip when you sight a lion. Their size, shape of the mane and ecological agility makes them special and worth watching.
The best season to spot lions is the winter between November to February. The dry season thins out foliage offering better visibility. Due to the heat, these animals may be seen seeking shelter beneath a tree or by the waterholes to hydrate.
Recommended Tour
Gir National Park
WhatsApp now to enquire or block your seat
How to Reach the Park
By Air
Flying to Keshod airport is the fastest way to get to Gir as it is only 70km away. You can also land in Rajkot and take a 4-hour road journey from there.
By Road
Gir is well connected by road from major cities. Ahmedabad is about 327 km away, while Rajkot is only 175 km from Gir. Surat is almost a 366 km drive.
By Rail
Trains offer the most cost effective and efficient travel. Stop at Junagadh (80 km) or Veraval (72 km) and take a taxi or bus to get to Gir.
| From | By Air+Road (Hrs) | By Road | By Rail+Road (Hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Delhi | 2.00 Air + 4.30 Road | 18.5 Hrs | 22.00 Rail + 2.00 Road |
| Nagpur | 1.5 Air + 3.00 Road | 9.00 Hrs |
NA |
| Mumbai | 2.00 Air + 2.00 Road | 7.00 Hrs | 14.00 Rail + 4 Road |
| Bangaluru | 1 Air + 3 Road | 20.00 Hrs | NA |
| Pune | 1.5 Air + 2.00 Road | 12.00 Hrs | 12 Rail + 4 Road |
| Jabalpur | NA | 15.00 Hrs | NA |
| Agra | 2.00 Air + 2.00 Road | 13.5 Hrs | 18.0 Rail + 2.00 Road |
| Keshod (Nearest) | NA | 1.5 Hrs | NA |
| RajKot | NA | 2.00 Hrs | NA |
| From | Time to arrive |
|---|---|
| Bharatpur BS | 4 Hour |
| Ranthambore TR | 5 Hours |
| Nagzira NP | 5.30 Hours |
| Tadoba TR | 5.50 Hrs |
| Pench TR | 2.5 Hrs Air + 3 Hrs Road |
Things you should carry with you
Essential things to carry for your Gir Wildlife Safari
Your DSLR or Camera to capture your memorable safari moment.
Binoculars to view the wildlife from a safe distance.
Plenty of water to keep you dehydrated on a sunny day.
Hat & Shades to protect from direct sunlight.
Bandanna or Cotton Scarf to cover your face and avoid dust.
Winter wear or jacket if you are doing a safari during winter. It really gets cold very quickly after sunsets in Jungle.
Rain Cover to save you and your gears from water during rain.
Gir can get really colder very quickly in the evening so consider carrying woolens in the afternoon safari in Gir during winter’s season.
Some History about Gir wildlife Sanctuary
The Gir National Park started in the early 1900s. At that time, there were only about a dozen Asiatic lions left, which had been hunted by kings and game hunters. The Nawab of Junagadh recognized this as an emergency and took protective measures in 1913. This was the first phase towards turning Gir into a sanctuary.
In 1965 it was declared as a national park solely for conserving last remaining Asiatic lions. Since then efforts have been made with single mindedness. The population has grown from extinction to abundance, providing evidence of the importance of the park in safeguarding these endangered species.
Today, Gir National Park is known worldwide as one among successful stories relating wildlife conservation where tourists flock to see Asiatic Lions and enjoy other forms rich biodiversity found within its boundaries.
Why visit Gir?
Come to Gir National Park if you want an amazing experience with wildlife! Marvel at the majestic Asiatic lion – critically endangered and can be found nowhere else except their Africa cousins. This is their only surviving habitat saved by work done under conservation strategy success.
Discover different types of plants and animals such as leopards or sloth bears and over 300 bird species. Jeep safaris are thrilling ways to encounter animals living freely within their natural surroundings. Embrace all that’s beautiful about nature in Gir – A paradise for those who love nature and tribute paid towards protecting the wild.
Gir General Info Card
- Total Area: 1,410 Sq. Km
- Location: Gujrat, India
- Notified as Wildlife Sanctuary: 1965
- Nearest Airport: keshod (160 KM)
- Nearest Railway Junction: Junagadh (65 KM)
Gir Wildlife Info Card
- Carnivorous: Asiatic Lion, Jungle Cat, leopard, Hyena
- Herbivorous: Sambar deer, Chinkara, Four-horned antelope, Nilgai, Wild boar
- Omnivorous: Honey badger, Sloth bear, Rhesus macaque, Mongoose species
- Birds: 425 Species of Birds.
Gir Tour Info Card
- Ideal Tour Length: 3N4D or 6 Safaris
- Can extend with: Kanha, Tadoba, Bandhavgarh
- Tour Starting points: Nagpur, Delhi, Mumbai
- Is tour Customizable?: Yes
- Safari Options: Open Jeep, Canter
Gir National Park FAQ`s
Related National Parks & Tiger Reserves
Kanha Tiger Reserve – History and Information
Pench Tiger Reserve & National Park
Bandhavgarh National Park & Tiger Reserve
Jim Corbett National Park – Safari Details
Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve – Safari Details, History & Information
