Updates
- 🦁 Technology-Driven Conservation: Scientific Monitoring & Research in the Gir Landscape
- 🦁 Tints And Hues Of Gir
- 🦁 Celebration of World Lion Day
- 🦁 Three Lions Take on a Lonely Turtle. Will it Survive?
- 🦁 Home Ranges and Migration Routes of Four Threatened Raptors in Central Asia: Preliminary Results
GIR NATIONAL PARK
Meeting and greeting the mighty lion is both fascinating and scary. But if you're eager for such an exciting experience, then Gir National Park is the place for you.
Our geography and general knowledge books have introduced us to the famous wildlife sanctuary, Gir National Park, located in Gujarat. This protected forest, also known as SasanGir, is near Somnath, Junagadh, Amreli, and especially TalalaGir. Established in 1965, Gir National Park has been home to Mama (201), Papa (109), and Baby Lions (213). Covering a combined area of 1412 square kilometers, this national park and wildlife sanctuary have been attracting visitors since its opening.
To create unforgettable memories, it's best to visit Gir National Park between December and March. It's closed every year from June 16 to October 15. However, if you love photography and can handle the heat of Gujarat, you'll be impressed with the scenes in April and May. To maximize your experience, Gir Safari Booking will be a great idea.
Gir Jungle Safari
Gir National Park is a place that is full of wild animals and different plant species along with various birds. Visiting this place can be very exciting and thrilling for wildlife or nature lovers. You can experience adventurous safaris at different times in this park.
Read MoreDevalia Safari Park
Devalia Safari Park is a fenced area which is like a zoo where you can spot different types of flora and fauna. Devalia Safari Park is also known as the Gir Interpretation Zone. You can experience different types of thrilling safaris in this park.
Read MoreKankai Temple Ride Booking
Explore the Kankai Temple Safari ride at Gir National Park. This temple is located 25 km inside the Gir National Park, to go there you have to book a ride. This ride will take you 25 km inside the jungle and you can different kinds of plants and animals.
Read MoreGirnar Nature Safari
Girnar Nature safari will take place in Girnar Sanctuary which is located in Girnar Hills. This safari is done on only one route and the safari will take you 13 km inside the jungle till Paturan beats. You can spot different species of animals and birds along with a wide variety of plants.
Read MoreNearby Hotspots Of The Gir Forest
If You Are Filled With Enthusiasm Even After The Gir Safari Booking, there's a lot more to explore beyond the dense forest of Gir National Park.
Kamleshwar Dam
Located at the center of the forest on the Hiran River, Kamleshwar Dam is where you can spot birds and marshy crocodiles. This dam is the meeting point of many birds and birdwatchers love to visit this area as they can spot different types of bird species in one place.
Durbar Hall Museum
For those intrigued by the history of the place and interested in witnessing remnants of the Nawabs' lives, a visit to the Durbar Hall Museum is a must. It showcases paintings, weapons, silver items, palanquins, outfits, chandeliers, and more. This museum remains open from 10 am to 5 pm.
Girnar Mountains
For a religious addition to your SasanGir Safari, visit the Jain and Hindu Temples atop Girnar Mountains. Girnar mountains are very famous as they represent both Hindu and Jain communities. Amba Mata Temple, Neminath Temple, Parshwanath Temple, and Dattatreya Temple are famous here.
Somnath Temple
This is a famous temple of Hindu Religion and it is located just at a distance of 55 km from Gir National Park. The best time to visit this temple is during Shivratri and Kartik Purnima as the surroundings are cheerful and people celebrate these festivals with great enthusiasm.
Junagadh Zoo
People also know this place as Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden or Sakkarbaug Zoo. This is the oldest zoo in India and the fourth biggest zoo. Along with other animals the carnivores here are famous among wildlife enthusiasts. You can find Asiatic lions here also, other than Gir National Park.
Devalia Safari Park
This park is a fenced area that is made inside Gir National Park. It looks like a zoo where people can spot different kinds of plants and animals along with birds. The park has taken part in various wildlife protection activities such as habitat preservation, anti-poaching measures, etc.
Activities In Gir National Park
The impact of the greatness of Gir is not limited to Gir Safari booking alone. The authorities have planned many other activities to engage tourists and educate them about this protected forest area.Orientation Centre
The center was established with the intent to provide Gir National Park information to tourists, making them more sensitive towards the lives protected here. These centers resemble museums, featuring life-size models of the inhabitants and providing further details about their behavior, characteristics, and manners. You will find these centers near the guest house, Devalia, as well as SasanGir Safari.
Souvenir Shop
While Gir Safari Booking introduces you to the wildlife present here, visiting these shops will give you an idea about the heritage of Native people. Indians have some good skills when it comes to handicrafts and these shops are proof of that. The earnings of these shops are used to help the people working in Gir Forest and welfare-related activities.
Gir Arboretum & Birding Point
From the above information, we are sure that you know very well about the wide variety of species of Gir National Park. This garden takes that diversity to another level. The nursery is all about rare medicinal plants of the park, and the gallery shows off those plant species with pictures and scientific information. If you didn't spot much during your Gir Safari Booking, then don’t worry you can still check out some birds and deer here.
Amphitheater
If you're into movies and documentaries, then you must visit the amphitheater whether it's in Devalia,
Sing Sasan, or after your Gir Safari. To every tourist, they offer free film shows every day that show
the beauty of Gir Forest.
If you're interested in hearing the roar of Royal Tigers, then start planning your
Gir Safari Booking this Year!
Best Time to Visit Gir National Park
After knowing all this information are you eager to go to Gir National Park in its peak time? If you wish to visit Gir at the perfect time then you have to prioritize your preferences. If you’re an enthusiastic person and want to capture wild animals then you should visit this park in April and May. Wildlife sightings are very promising during these months as they come near water bodies to drink water. But heat can be a problem for some people so don’t forget to bring your water bottles with you. If you're up for it, booking a Gir Safari for dawn or dusk could up your chances of a lucky encounter.
If you are someone who enjoys cool temperatures and likes nature and greenery, then you should visit Gir National Park between December and March. These are the peak months and the weather is quite nice.
Just a friendly reminder, keep in mind that Gir National Park shuts down every year from June 16 to October 15 for the heavy monsoon season. So plan accordingly…
Accommodation In Gir National Park
If you want your trip to Gir National Park to be awesome then you have to stay at a place where you can charge yourself for all your journey. While the main attraction is Gir National Park, choosing the right place to stay is crucial to secure your chances and limited slots for Gir Safari booking.
HISTORY OF GIR NATIONAL PARK
During British rule, the princes were used to invite their friends and colonizers for hunting games, and because of hunting practices, there was a huge decline in the number of Asiatic lions during that time. Only a dozen or a few lions were left in the Gir National Park. Then this situation was told to Nawab of Junagadh as the hunting ground belonged to him. He took notice of this situation and established Gir National Park to conserve the endangered species of Asiatic lions. This park is also home to other plants and animals.
This place is super important for all the different animals and plants living there. Lots of groups like NGOs, wildlife lovers, and the forest department are working hard to keep Gir National Park safe.
The Bio-Diverse Importance Of This Place Is Immense And The NGOs, The Wildlife Activists, And The Forest Department Of Government are trying their Utmost to protect the Gir Forest National Park.
Gir National Park Information About Photography
Gir National Park with its wide variety of flora and fauna is like a photographer's dreamland. There are so many animals and scenes to capture that you won't be able to put your camera down. The best time for taking some good pictures is April-May, but heat can be a problem for some people so don't forget to carry a water bottle with other essentials.
Additionally, for those people who are not professional photographers but want some cool pictures as their memory can get their photo clicked here, the charge for each photo is 200 INR. During Gir Safari booking, camera charges are included in the fee.
THE ULTIMATE GIR SAFARI BOOKING DEBATE: BUS OR JEEP?
Gir National Park has a lot to offer. To meet the needs of the Gir National Park inhabitants, Devalia Safari Park was created. Devalia represents the denser forest but in a restricted zone, offering all the main components of the main theme. On the other hand, Devalia Safari is a bus ride through the less dense part of Gir National Park. While it might not be very adventurous, it guarantees sightings of animals. This safari runs throughout the day and allows you to spot birds, reptiles, and herbivores besides lions.
So, according to Gir National Park information, The Gir Jungle Safari is all about getting up close to the wild beauty of the forest and its amazing creatures. This safari is mostly conducted using jeeps and Gypsies and will take you through dusty jungle paths where you’ll play hide-and-seek with the plants and animals. The safari times are already shared, and if you're lucky, you might spot the majestic Asiatic lion. But even if you don't, the journey itself is super thrilling and adventurous.
Now, about booking... You can reserve your spot for the Sasan Gir Safari ahead of time, but there are limited permits, so it's first-come, first-served. To settle any arguments, it's best to try both safaris and soak in the Gir National Park experience.
Gir National Park: Geo-Morphology And Topography
Having a basic understanding of the place you plan to visit is always wise. The area of Gir National Park mainly consists of plateaus, valleys, and moderate hills, ensuring you won't encounter boring flat land. The undulating terrain adds to the dense forest's appeal. Being within the Deccan Trap belt, the predominant rock types are basalt and dolomite. You'll also find metamorphic schist, limestone, and sandstone, contributing to soil diversity. Consequently, you'll encounter loamy, sandy, and black cotton soil throughout Gir National Park. Naturally, soil near the river is moister compared to the hilly areas, where you'll find murrums and stones.
Meet The Residents Flora And Fauna Of Gir National Park
We've covered a lot of essential information about Gir National Park. Now, it's time to explore what exactly awaits travelers in the SasanGir Safari.
- When you think of Gir, you probably think of Asiatic lions first, right? But this park is also home to a wide variety of other animals. You can see other animals such as hyenas, ratels, leopards, wild boars, mongooses, chitals, civets, chinkaras, sambars, and many more.
- The plant life is also diverse, it comprises various types of dry deciduous trees, climbers, shrubs, herbs, and of course, teak is the star of the show.
- Gir National Park is also a birdwatcher's paradise. There are around 300 types of birds like wood owls, pygmy woodpeckers, flycatchers, and even six types of vultures. With all this variety of flora and fauna, it's a good place for a short trip for photographers and wildlife lovers.
Gir National Park with its wide variety of flora and fauna is like a photographer's dreamland. There are so many animals and scenes to capture that you won't be able to put your camera down. The best time for taking some good pictures is April-May, but heat can be a problem for some people so don't forget to carry a water bottle with other essentials.
ONLINE GIR SAFARI BOOKING DETAILS
The thrill of seeing the majestic animal from an open jeep is irresistible, which is why we emphasize Gir Safari Booking. To truly experience the essence of Gir and make the most of your journey, booking a jeep safari is essential. The twilight zone, dusk, and dawn are the best to catch a glimpse of them, so safaris are available both in the evening and morning.
The timings are given below
- From mid-October to February the timing for the morning safari ride will be from 6:45 AM to 9:45 AM, sometimes it can change from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and the timing for the afternoon safaris will be from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM.
- From March to June, the timing for the morning safari will be from 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM, sometimes it can change from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and the timing for the afternoon safari will be from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM.
The Online Procedure Of Booking Sasan Gir Safari Is Very Easy, but you should book your ride in advance as the slots fill up quickly. These are some things that you need to provide for your successful safari booking:
- The full name of each candidate
- Preferred time slot for checking out the Gir Forest National Park
- Any Identity proof of the person who is going to ride the safari for example Voter ID, Aadhaar, Driving License, or Passport
- Remember to carry the provided proof during the safari
The amount that you’ll pay for Gir Safari Booking will include the charges of the permit, guide, driver, jeep, and camera. You also need to pay the charges of the gateway that is being used for online payment. If you want a pickup and drop facility from a hotel or resort then you have to pay some extra amount for that.
Here are some important Gir National Park booking cancellation policies to remember:
-You cannot transfer, exchange, or resell reserved seats.
- You are eligible for a refund only if you cancel your SasanGir Safari at least 2 days before the actual
date.
Refund percentages are as follows:
- 75% refund for canceling before 10 days
- 50% refund if canceled before 5 days
- 25% refund if canceled before 2 days
Our Blogs
Gir National Park and the History of Saving The Asiatic Lions
Gir National Park, where Nature Nurtures Travelling Souls
How To Reach Gir National Park
Gir National Park is very famous among nature lovers and Wildlife lovers. Just like its various species, there are many transport options available to reach this location. You can reach Gir National Park by taking any means of transport, you can come here by road, train, or air. It depends on where you’re coming from. Let’s know how you can get here
Traveling to Gir National Park is very convenient as there are many railway stations near the park. After reaching any of these stations you can easily take a cab, taxi, or any local vehicle towards Gir National Park.
- Veraval Railway Station
- Junagadh Junction
- Rajkot Railway Station
You can come to the nearest airport to Gir National Park and then take cabs or taxis to reach Gir National Park. The distance from the airport to the park will take around 1-2 hours. The nearest airport options are:
- Rajkot Airport
- Keshod Airport
- Porbandar Airport
- Diu Airport
If you enjoy the journey as much as the destination, traveling by road will be your best choice. Gir National Park is well-connected to major cities of Gujarat, and the roads are in good condition. You can take private or government buses to reach the park. You can also come on your own.
Distance From Major Cities
- Distance from Ahmedabad: 329 km
- Distance from Surat: 361 km
- Distance from Rajkot: 154 km
- Distance from Somnath: 40 km
- Distance from Diu: 98 km
- Distance from Statue of Unity: 525 km
