Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary (also known as Sasan Gir) is located in the Junagadh Districts of Gujarat, spread over an area of 2450 hectares. The park was set up in 1965 with the aim of protecting the pure Asiatic Lions. Gir is the last home for these Asiatic Lions. Though Gir is the home of the Lions, there are other species also that inhabit the forest. The park has diverse flora & fauna. The animal species include Leopards, Spotted Deer (Chital), Peafowl, Nillgai, Sambar, Chousinga, Wild Boar, Langurs, Jungle cats, Striped Hyenas, Indian Porcupine etc. The bird species include Spoonbill, Ibis, Paradise Flycatcher, Honey Buzzard, Redheaded Merlin, Parakeet, Owl and Spotted dove among many others .Gir is also home to the Siddis, a community that is known to have African origins. Siddis are known for their dance & tribal performances. Kankai Mata and Tulsishyam temples are interesting places to visit as they are known for their hot springs. The Gir Interpretation Zone at Devalia has chained fences and a double gate entry system and was created to reduce tourism hazard & enable tourist to view the wildlife & habitat of Gir.
Best For:
Gir is an excellent destination for nature lovers and for people looking for adventure.
The climate of Gir is similar to rest of the areas in Gujarat. The three main seasons are summer, monsoon & winter. Gir has a tropical monsoon climate therefore it is humid in the rainy season (mid-June to September). The rest of the year is very dry. It is best to avoid visit in summer as the temperatures soar (43°C is common). The winter is mild with temperature dropping to 10°C. The park is open to visitors from mid-October to mid-June but the wildlife is easily spotted between late November & early March when the climate is pleasant, cool & dry. Therefore the best months to visit is between November & March.
Tourists traveling to Gir are required to obtain entry permits from the Sinh Sadan Forest Lodge Office. The permits cost Rs 15 for the first day and Rs 7.50 for every additional day thereafter. (subject to change) Visitors have to pay extra for cameras & hired jeeps. International visitors require a visa for India. The consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Gujarat. Non-Indians can get a permit from the Government to buy & consume alcohol legally.
Gir can be accessed directly by rail & road. For tourists who want to travel by air, the nearest airport is Keshod which is 90 kms from Sasan Gir.
By Air Keshod is the nearest airport to Sasan Gir via Veraval (90 kms) & it has a daily flight from Mumbai. Alternatively Rajkot (160 kms) has an airport, which is well connected to the rest of the state as well as most major cities in India. From Rajkot or Keshod one can travel by road to Gir. Mumbai & Ahmedabad are the closest International Airports. Diu (100 kms from Gir) also has an airport.
By Rail Sasan Gir has a railway station which is well connected to various cities of Gujarat & Rajasthan. There are daily trains to Gir from Junagadh, Veraval & Delwada.
By Road Gir is well connected by road to the nearby cities & towns like Junagadh (60 km), Rajkot (160 km), Veraval (40 km), Ahmedabad (400 km). There are regular State transport buses as well as luxury coaches operating to Gir from these cities as well as other nearby places.
Local Transport Jeeps are easily available for hire & they are best way to view the wildlife in the park.
The best time to go on a jeep safari is at dawn or dusk when the probability of spotting a Lion, Deer or other wild animals is higher. Sasan-Kamaleshwar Dam, the Sasan-Kankai, the Sasan-Chodavdi and the Sasan-Tulsishyam routes are the best routes for the jeep ride.
Private vehicles are not allowed inside the park.
Where To Eat:
Lion Safari Lodge (Taj Group) has a good restaurant offering different cuisines. Sinh Sadan Forest Lodge is a good choice for thalis. Maneland jungle lodge also has a restaurant that has a variety of cuisines like Indian, Chinese & Continental.
Where To Stay:
There are limited options for accommodation therefore it is best to book in advance especially during the peak season. Luxury to budget lodges can be found in Gir to suit every pocket. The Sinh Sadan Forest Lodge and the Gir Lodge are operated by the Government & are cheaper than the private lodges. The Lion Safari Lodge owned by the Taj Group is a good option. The Lion Safari also arranges trips into the sanctuary as well as in the nearby places. Maneland Jungle Lodge is another option (2 kms from Sasan). Toran Holiday Home run by the Gujarat Tourism also provides accommodation.
Veraval: 42 kms from Gir, Veraval is a shipping port which has many historical gates & buildings. It is also know for its shipbuilding yard.
Somnath: 40 kms from Gir, Somnath bears religious significance for Hindus (it has one of the 12 Jyotirlings). Somnath has a number of temples & historical ruins. The Sun temple, Ahilya Temples, Treveni Tirth bathing ghats, Prabhas Patan Museum are places to visit. It also has beaches where you can sight many coastal birds.
Junagadh: Junagadh is 60 kms from Gir. Ancient Bhuddhist cave sites, rock edicts of King Ashoka, monument of poet Narsinh Mehta, the Uparkot Fort, the Palace museum, the various mosques, & palaces are all worth a visit here. Junagadh also has a zoo Sakkarbagh Zoological Park) which houses captive bred Asiatic Lions & various bird species.
Diu: An island & a Union territory, Diu is 100 kms from Gir. A popular beach destination, Diu has monuments like the century Portuguese Fort, St Paul's Church, Diu Museum and old Portugese styled houses.
Jamnagar (150 kms):Jamnagar is a princely city known for its bandhani fabric print, royal palaces & temples. The lake in Jamnagar is popular with bird watchers as it has about 75 species of birds. It is also the headquarters of the Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park and Wildlife Reserve, which protects around 42 islands & their coral reefs & mangroves. Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is also near Jamnagar.
Girnar Hill & Gondal are also nearby places that have caught the attention of tourists visiting Gir. Further information on Gir can be obtained from The Sanctuary Superintendent, Sasan Gir, Junagadh or the Conservator of Forests, Sardar Baug, Junagadh.
The State Tourism also offers 2-day packages to the Gir National Park, which includes accommodation, food, a trip to the sanctuary & a visit to Somnath.
