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About Gir National Park
Gir National Park, GujaratPlace : Sasan Gir, Junagarh district, Gujarat
Best season : Gir Park operates from mid Oct to mid Jun and is closed for Monsoon but hotels in Sasan remains open for bird watching as many birds migrate during monsoon.
Nearest Town : Veraval: 40 kms, Somnath: 40 kms and Junagad: 60 kms
Main attraction : Famed as the only abode of Asiatic lions.
The Gir National Park can either perfectly be termed as the land of the Asiatic Lions or also being famed as Sasan Gir, is a forest and wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat, India; established in 1965. The park is being consorted with a total area of 1412 km2 (about 258 km2 for the fully protected area (the national park) and 1153 km2 for the Sanctuary).
Best season : Gir Park operates from mid Oct to mid Jun and is closed for Monsoon but hotels in Sasan remains open for bird watching as many birds migrate during monsoon.
Nearest Town : Veraval: 40 kms, Somnath: 40 kms and Junagad: 60 kms
Main attraction : Famed as the only abode of Asiatic lions.
The Gir National Park can either perfectly be termed as the land of the Asiatic Lions or also being famed as Sasan Gir, is a forest and wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat, India; established in 1965. The park is being consorted with a total area of 1412 km2 (about 258 km2 for the fully protected area (the national park) and 1153 km2 for the Sanctuary).
LocationThe Gir National Park is being located 65 km to the south-east of Junagadh and 60 km to south west of Amreli in the Indian state of Gujarat.
Jeep Safari in GirTourists who ever visit Gir Park often love jeep safaris. A ride in wild jungle is such an adventurous idea for every visitor. But, for this ride, you must have permission from the Sinh Sadan Forest Lodge Office. This is such a wild attraction in Gir. While you are on Jeep Safari, you can spot the Lions in their natural habitat, when they are on the prowl. Watching the Lions from open-roof jeep is altogether a wonderful experience. During your Jeep Safari tour, you can also click some pictures of the Lions. Best time to spot the Lions are at the dusk and dawn. Jeeps and guides are made available by the Forest Department. Heart pumping and full of adventure, Gir Safari Tour offers a pretty clear glance about the unmatched wilderness amid the home of so many rare wild animals like Asiatic lions and Ass and ensures a distinctive combination of unparalleled joy, actions and fun to each visitor. You can easily watch stunning flora and fauna and uncommon wild animals together over the spectacular alleys of Gir National Park. As safari in Gir National Park there is only one option of jeep safari. There is no canter safari or elephant safari unlike to the other national parks of India. While you are on Jeep Safari, you can spot the Lions in their natural habitat, when they are on the prowl. Watching the Lions from open-roof jeep is altogether a wonderful experience. During your Jeep Safari tour, you can also click some pictures of the Lions. Best time to spot the Lions is at the dusk and dawn. Jeeps and guides are made available by the Forest Department.
Visit https://girlion.gujarat.gov.in for Gir Jungle Trail & Devalia Park.
Gir Jungle Trail (to be booked 100% online)
Devalia Park Gypsy and Bus (Devalia park remains closed on Wednesdays)
One must visit Devalia park too where lion sightseeing is guaranteed. This is a 16 sq km fenced area with the big wild life kept in. Lions, leopards, deer, blue bulls and other animals can be seen here.
Devalia Park Gypsy:
Devalia Park Bus Permit
Visit https://girlion.gujarat.gov.in for Gir Jungle Trail & Devalia Park.
Gir Jungle Trail (to be booked 100% online)
- Gypsy Cost: Jeep cost Rs 2,100 + Guide Rs 400
- Permit fees cost Rs 800 on weekdays and 1,000 on weekend for Indians and 5,600 & 7,000 for foreigners.
- Safari timings: 3 Hours jeep ride 6 to 9 AM, 8h30 to 11h30, & 3 to 6 PM.
Devalia Park Gypsy and Bus (Devalia park remains closed on Wednesdays)
One must visit Devalia park too where lion sightseeing is guaranteed. This is a 16 sq km fenced area with the big wild life kept in. Lions, leopards, deer, blue bulls and other animals can be seen here.
Devalia Park Gypsy:
- Gypsy Cost: Jeep cost Rs 1,900 + Guide Rs 400.
- Permit fees cost Rs 800 on weekdays and Rs 1,000 on weekend for Indians and Rs 5,600 & Rs 7,000 for foreigners.
- Safari timings: 55 mins ride between 07 to 11 am and 03 to 06 pm
Devalia Park Bus Permit
- Bus permit cost Rs 150 on weekdays and Rs 190 on weekend for Indians and Rs 2,800 & Rs 3,500 for foreigners.
- Safari timings: 30 mins ride between 07h30 to 11h00 am 3 to 5 pm
- Tickets can be purchased by clients on the spot.
FloraVegetation in Gir can be looked at in four ways. The first is the Teak forest and nearly half of the protected area has this kind of a habitat. The main tree species that occupy this habitat are Khair, Sadad, Timru, Babul, Amla, Moledi, Dhavdo, Kadayo and Bahedo. The non-Teak forests, which comprise the remaining forest consists of tree species like the Khair, Dhavdo, Sadad, Timru, Amla, Moledi, Kadayo, Salai, Simal, Khakhro, Ber and Asundro. A distinct belt of vegetation is found along the main rivers and streams. Species like the Jambu, Karanj, Umro, Vad, Kalam, Charal, Sirus and Amli are found here. These trees are mostly broad leaved and evergreen, giving the area a cool shade and the moisture content. Finally, Prosopis and Casuarina have been planted in the coastal border as part of the aforestation plan.
FaunaThe Gir national park is a heaven to about 300 Asiatic lions. The Lion, Panther Leo, inhabits the forest of Gir in the Saurashtra peninsula, attracting sixty thousand visitors to this sanctuary of Gujarat every year. Gir today is the only place in the world, outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in its natural habitat. The Asiatic lion is slightly smaller than its African cousin; nevertheless, a large male lion of the Gir is quite a sight to behold. The best way to observe the big cats is, of course, in their natural surroundings, at dawn and dusk, when they are on the prowl. Wildlife viewing in the Girs is best done, by driving around the forest. The Asiatic lion, the most majestic big cat, is a unique gift of nature. It is an extremely intelligent animal with remarkable social habits and hunting techniques. The prominent belly fold, smaller mane, lesser body size and the weight differentiate it from its African counterpart. Lions live and hunt in groups called "pride", which generally consists of adult females, their cubs plus a few males.
Important BirdsMalabar whistling thrush, orange headed ground thrush, paradise flycatcher, black naped fly catcher, Indian pitta, tawny eagle, Bonelli's eagle, crested serpent eagle, king vulture, crested hawk eagle, painted storks, pelicans, peafowl etc.
Different routes to access the park:There are generally 6 routes in the Gir Park - the longest is 31km. Some of the most popular routes for a drive are the Sasan-Kamaleshwar Dam, the Sasan-Kankai, the Sasan-Chodavdi and the Sasan-Tulsishyam routes. These routes are especially adorned with glary glimpses of good amount of lions with the help of trackers and guides. The Gir forestry department provides jeeps and guides on a daily basis for visiting the wild creatures.
Best Time to VisitEven if Gir National Park is one of the hottest and most visited wildlife reserves within India still the perfect timings to visit this park is during the months of Mid October-Mid June. Gir Park operates from mid Oct to mid Jun and is closed for Monsoon but hotels in Sasan remains open for bird watching as many birds migrate during monsoon.
