Gir National Park is located in Gujarat and is famous for Asiatic lions. Apart from Africa, Gir National Park is the only place in the world where Asiatic lions are found. This park is located in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. This park was established in 1965 to protect the Asiatic lions. It covers a large area of 1,412 square km. Gir National Park has different characteristics of land, it consists of dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and rocky hills. There are four major water sources in the park. Hiran, Shetrunji, Datardi, and Raval River are those water resources. You can find different kinds of fauna and flora here such as lions, leopards, chittal, different types of deer, etc. It is also home to 425 birds species. This park is truly a home for lions as the population of lions here is 523. Not only lions, there are more than 300 leopards in this park. Wildlife enthusiasts should visit this park. Apart from lions and tigers this park shelters 40 species of mammals.
Sasan Gir National Park, once a hunting ground for the British during their rule in India, witnessed approximately 20 lions in 1913. But in 1960, the Indian Government recognized the need to conserve these lions and imposed a ban on hunting. This area was designated as a wildlife sanctuary on 18 September 1965.
Since 1965, this area has transformed into Asia's most safeguarded wildlife sanctuary. Lions are not hunted now, rather they are under 24x7 surveillance so that they can be protected. You can only see these wild animals by taking a safari ride in Gir National Park. Because of the conservation efforts of the forest department, the population of lions has reached a count of 523.
Flora:Gir National Park has a wide variety of flora with more than 600 plant species. The landscape of this park includes teak, timru, dhavdo, and khair trees. You can also find various important medical plants here
Fauna: As everyone knows, Gir National Park is famous for Asiatic lions but apart from them, you can spot a wide variety of fauna species here including deers, leopards, chittal, nilgai, Indian gazelle, Langur monkeys, wild boar and four-horned antelope with others. Not only animals, this park is home to a diverse range of bird species like the crested serpent eagle, Bonelli's eagle, and painted sandgrouse.
There are many options to spend your time in Gir. You can spend your time by going on a gypsy safari ride in Gir National Park. Apart from this, you can also spend your time by visiting these places:
The Somanath temple or Deo Patan, is a Hindu temple located in Prabhas Patan, Veraval in Gujarat, India. It is the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. The temple was reconstructed several times in the past after repeated destruction by multiple Muslim invaders and rulers, notably starting with an attack by Mahmud Ghazni in the 11th century There is a show that happens at 7:45 with light and sound by Amitabh Bacchan. The best time to visit this temple is from October to February. Two main festivals which are celebrated here with great enthusiasm are Shivratri and Kartik Purnima.
You can go to this temple by booking Kankai Safari rides. You can even spot an Asiatic lion while doing the kankai safari ride. In the middle of the sanctuary, near about 25 km from the Sasan Gir National Park, lies the Kankai Mata shrine. The Kankai Mataji Temple is, in fact, the only temple lying in the forest. Safari vehicles, basically Innova cars, are available every day to go to Kankai Temple. If lucky, you might spot an Asiatic lion on your way to the temple. The temple is owned by Shri Kankeshwari Mataji, often spelled Shri Kankai Mataji. A nearby lake acts as a gathering spot for various wild animals.
The Tulsishyam Temple is located near Gir National Park. This is a pilgrimage site of Hindus and the temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. You can easily reach here if you’re coming to Gir National Park. Not only a pilgrimage site, this temple is also famous for its natural beauty with its hot springs. People who come here to take blessings of Lord Krishna also enjoy the Hot Springs as they have therapeutic properties.
The safari tours offered here take tourists to different areas of the Gir in a minibus and gypsy. The Devalia Safari Park offers 7 Gypsy Safaris each day. A tour of Devalia is more convenient, less expensive, and gives visitors a chance to see Asiatic Lions and other creatures in their natural habitat in just 30 to 50 minutes. The Devalia Safari Park is open every day of the week, except Wednesday, from Thursday to Tuesday. One must first obtain a permit in order to tour Devalia Safari Park. Typically, the tourist information office is where permits are issued. A single vehicle can have up to 6 occupants and only one child between the ages of 3 and 12 when applying for a Gypsy e-permit. Depending on the day you come, weekends and significant public holidays will cost you the most.
This dam offers a scenic bird view, which adds to the growing popularity of Gir national Park. Birdwatching enthusiasts come here as this dam is the meeting point of various birds including migrating birds. This dam was established in the year 1959, and from that time this dam has been a super popular spot of Gir National Park.
This zoo was opened in 1863. It covers an area of 490 acres. Other names of this zoo are Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden or Sakkarbaug Zoo. It is famous for its collection of purebred Asiatic lions. Other than gir national forest, this zoo is famous for finding asiatic lions. This zoo is a must visit destination because It is the oldest zoo of India and fourth biggest zoo in India. This zoo is a home for 597 birds, 111 reptiles and 525 mammals.
We are providing expert guide service, guide is provided to you with online booking, if you make a booking from website, you will not have to pay the guide fees separately.
Private vehicles (Gypsy) is included in your safari booking package, if you make booking from website, you will not have to pay Gypsy fees separately.
We are also providing Hotel/Resort Booking Service, visitor have to call us for hotel booking.
If you’re someone who is coming to Gir National Park from outside India, then there are 2 options:
There are many private and state buses available from Gujarat. You can take buses from different cities in Gujarat, such as Ahmedabad, Surat, Nashik, Junagadh, Dwarka, and Rajkot. The bus route is one that is used by most people; many visitors take a 7-hour, 40-minute bus from Ahmedabad to Gir National Park.
The best time to visit Gir National Park is from December to March. Sasan Gir weather throughout this time is cool and pleasant. Every year, between the 16th of June and the 15th of October, Gir National Park's protected area is closed.
If you want to explore Gir National Park, at least three days are needed to explore Sasan Gir National Park because Gir consists of Gir National Park, Girnar Hills, and also Girnar Sanctuary. There are also many nearby attractions.
The park remains open from October 16th to June 15th every year. This park is closed during the monsoon season.
Both Gir Jungle Safari and Devalia Safari offer unique experiences. Gir Jungle Safari will take you to the core area of the park. Gir Jungle Safari will give you a chance to spot Asiatic lions and other wildlife in their natural habitat. However, Devalia Safari will take you to a fenced area, but it offers higher chances of wildlife sightings.
The best time to visit Gir National Park is generally from December to MarchDuring winter the weather is cool and nice. Wildlife sightings are also good because a lot come near water bodies to quench their thirst.
If you want to explore Gir, then 3 days are needed because Gir consists of Gir National Park, Girnar Hills, and also Girnar Sanctuary. There are also many nearby attractions.