Be one with nature at Gir National Park, the royal kingdom of Asiatic lions and primarily the one place on earth the place these majestic beasts roam free. Gir is probably the most celebrated wildlife sanctuary in India and an impressive abode for all nature lovers and wildlife photographers. It is an arid ecoregion of the Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests that stretches throughout Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
Head to the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary for the journey of a lifetime! Spot India’s wildest beasts in motion, discover the breathtaking landscapes of Gujarat, uncover distant civilizations nonetheless dwelling deep inside Indian jungles harmoniously, and perceive the significance of defending the ecological steadiness in your thrilling retreat.
Gir National Park Information
Area: 1,412 sq. km
Location: Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat 362135
Geography: Teak dominated rugged hills with excessive ridges, densely forested valleys, and sprawling grassy plateaus. The space falls below the Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests with a mixture of dry deciduous scrub forest and dry savannah forests.
Gir National Park Website | Gir National Park TripAdvisor Reviews
What is the very best time to go to Gir National Park?
The greatest time to go to Gir National Park is the winter season, that’s, between December and March. Winters in Gujarat is the time when temperature is often round 20 diploma centigrade and superb for the varied actions within the park like safari.
Summers are a great time for pictures in a Gir forest tour and to view a lot of the animals out within the open, however are nonetheless prevented by many vacationers as the warmth right here can flip insupportable.
Monsoons are the least appropriate time to go to as animals stay inside their shelters throughout this time and a safari isn’t doable within the rains. Therefore, the park stays shut for vacationers from 16th June until 15th October yearly.
How To Reach Gir National Park?
By Air
The nearest airport to Gir is situated at Diu at a distance of 92 km from the park reserve space. After Diu, the subsequent closest airport to Gir is at Rajkot, situated roughly 160 km away. Both these airports are effectively related to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad. Tourists can catch day by day flights to those two locations from any of those cities and attain Gir by means of prepare, bus, cab, and so on.
By Rail
One can take a prepare to the Junagadh Junction railway station in Junagadh. The station can be related to main cities, together with Ahmedabad and Rajkot. From Junagadh station take the Saurashtra Mail prepare to Badodar, from there the prepare to Sasan Gir. Taxi providers and buses additionally ply from Badodar to Sasan Gir.
By Road
Many GSRTC AC bus providers additionally ply from main factors like Rajkot, Somnath, and Junagadh to Gir. Junagadh is a mere 60 km from Gir and is the commonest base for vacationers going in direction of Sasan Gir. If not GSRTC, then numerous personal firms additionally run AC buses from these locations. If not bus or prepare, then one can take pleasure in a scenic street journey all the way in which to Gir from factors like Rajkot and Junagadh.
Distance from Junagadh to Gir National Park: 77 km
Travel time from Junagadh to Gir National Park: Approx. 2 hours
Distance from Rajkot to Gir National Park: 165 km
Travel time from Rajkot to Gir National Park: Approx. Four hours
Distance from Diu to Gir National Park: 65 km
Travel time from Diu to Gir National Park: Approx. 2 hours
Distance from Ahmedabad to Gir National Park: 349 km
Travel time from Ahmedabad to Gir National Park: Approx. 7 hours
How to acquire entry allow for Gir National Park?
The entry allow for Gir Sanctuary may be obtained on the Sinh Sadan Orientation Centre, the Forest Department Guest House situated 5 minutes away from the park’s most important gate. The Centre is open from 7 AM to 11 AM within the morning, and from Three PM to five:30 PM within the night.
The entry allow may also be obtained on-line from the park’s official web site with a purpose to keep away from the effort of standing in queues on the Orientation Centre. One cross admits 6 individuals, with additional costs for an additional baby between Three to 12 years outdated.
Entry Fee/Permit Charges
Other costs:
Photography Fee: INR 100/- (for one digital camera in a gaggle of 6 individuals)
Guide Fee (Four hours): Rs 100/- (per group of 6 individuals)
Tips For Acquiring Permit Online:
- Apply for the allow 90 days previous to the date of your go to to keep away from final minute inconveniences.
- Before making use of, ensure you have comfortable copies of a sound photograph ID of every particular person making the journey with you (max 6 folks)
- E-permit doesn’t embrace costs like Guide Service, Vehicle Service, and Camera Fee
- E-permits are refundable just for Gir Jungle Trail
- You should report back to your safari level 30 minutes previous to departure to finish final minute formalities
Get your Gir Entry Permit here!
What is the common per particular person funds for a visit to Gir National Park?
Here’s a breakdown of how a lot it will probably price per particular person for varied points of a visit to Gir like transfers, lodging, meals, safari, and different tidbits like purchasing.
Avg Flight Rate (spherical journey): INR 7,600/-
Avg Accommodation: INR 3,300/-
Transfers: INR 1,000/-
Meals: INR 600/-
Safari: INR 600/-
Miscellaneous: INR 300/-
Note: Flight charges are usually not included within the funds given above as they could range on the traveler’s vacation spot and time of reserving. Also, ‘Transfers’ right here point out transportation from Junagadh to Gir after which getting round in Gir.
Which kinds of natural world can one spot in Gir National Park?
Other than the 400 Asiatic Lions and 300 Leopards, the park has 38 species of mammals, 37 of reptiles, 300 species of birds, and over 2,000 species of bugs, together with a various vary of plant species.
Animals: Asiatic lions, Indian Leopards, Indian Cobras, Sloth Bears, Golden Jackals, Indian Palm Civets, Striped Hyenas, Indian Mongoose, Ratels, Desert Cats, Rusty-Spotted Cats, Chital, Nilgai (or Blue bull), Antelope, Indian Gazelle, Sambar, Four-Horned Chinkara, Wild Boar, Blackbucks, Langur, Porcupine, Black-Naped Hare, Pangolin Marsh Crocodile, Tortoise, Monitor Lizard, Pythons.
Birds: Vultures, Sarus Crane, Lesser Florican, Crested Serpent Eagle, Brown Fish Owl, Crested Hawk-Eagle, endangered Bonelli’s Eagle, Rock Bush-Quail, Indian Eagle-Owl, Black-Headed Oriole, Pygmy Woodpecker, Crested Treeswift, Indian Pitta
Fauna: Teak, Khair, Dhavdo, Timru, Amla, Samai, Simal, Khakhro, Asundro Jambu, Umro, Amli, Vad, Kalam
6 Things To Do In Gir National Park
From thrilling safaris, crocodile farms, serene lakes, to historic temples, there are a plethora of issues to discover and actions to take pleasure in at Gir, one of many high wildlife sanctuaries in Gujarat:
1. Engage In Gir Jungle Trail Safari
Embark on an exciting journey contained in the wildest a part of the nation. There are Three completely different safari timing slots to fit your preferences, every of which helps you to spot an unimaginable vary of untamed animals and birds, together with Asiatic lions and leopards to maintain your pleasure ranges hovering sky excessive always! These safaris are performed in jeeps, gypsies, or canter (open safari buses).
Gir Jungle Trail safari is basically a mixture of jeep safaris and guided Walking Safaris to offer vacationers with probably the most adventurous and educated expertise of traversing by means of a dense Indian forest whereas additionally recognizing wild animals.
The morning safari offers you mesmerizing views of the dawn, aside from nice probabilities of recognizing the Asiatic lions. Gir is the right place to identify the king of the jungle in motion.
Safari Time Slots: 6 AM to 9 AM | 9 AM to 12 PM | Three PM to six PM
Entry payment for Indian guests: INR 800/- per group of 6 individuals | INR 100/- per additional baby
Entry payment for Foreign guests: INR 4,800/- per group of 6 individuals | INR 1,200/- per additional baby (for a whole fare breakdown, seek advice from the chart above)
2. Go On A Short Safari At Gir Interpretation Center, Devalia
Located roughly 12 km from the Gir Sanctuary, this fenced enclosure with a double-gate entry system is right for a fast Gir forest tour. The park has been created with an goal to facilitate a deeper understanding amongst vacationers of the Gir ecosystem in order that they will see the sunshine about the necessity to defend our biodiversity.
It additionally helps improve probabilities of wildlife recognizing, particularly of outstanding animals like lions and leopards. There can be a small store contained in the park the place you should purchase knick-knacks like caps, tees, espresso mugs, stationery gadgets, keychains, calendars, & extra.
Safari Time Slots: Eight AM To 11 AM | Three PM To 5 PM
Entry payment for Indian guests: INR 150/- per group of 6 individuals
Entry payment for Foreign guests: INR 2400/- per group of 6 individuals
How to get to Devalia: Hire a Khatra for INR 200/- from the Gir Sanctuary and observe the SH26, the primary freeway skirting the park earlier than taking a proper onto the SH100A.
3. Meet Baby Crocs At Crocodile Breeding Farm
Gir has the most important inhabitants of marsh crocodiles as in comparison with anyplace else within the nation. Post adopting the Indian Crocodile Conservation Project in 1977, Sasan Gir, in collaboration with the Gujarat State Forest Department now makes use of a small space close to the reserve itself for breeding and caring for crocodiles.
The Crocodile Rearing Centre close to the Sasan Gir Reserve is an fascinating place to find out about crocodile breeding and to observe these powerful reptiles bask within the solar or catch a prey. Do not wade within the water and watch out when photographing crocs right here as they’re extraordinarily irritable.
Getting there: It’s situated contained in the Forest Department workplace complicated and is strolling distance from Sinh Sadan Orientation Centre
Timings: 8:30 AM to six PM
Entry payment: Free
4. Gaze At The Vast Horizons Over Kamleshwar Dam
Image Courtesy: Paramvir Singh
Built over the Hiran River, Kamleshwar serves because the lifeline of the reserve space. The dam is situated inside Sasan Gir premises National Park and is surrounded by an unlimited number of marsh crocodiles and different reptiles. It’s the primary pit-stop within the park whereas on a Gir National Park safari the place one can climb the watchtower and stare upon gorgeous panoramic views of the park, the lake, and a number of the greatest the tribal villages in Gujarat.
It’s an excellent place for photographers as they will get lush inexperienced views of the park and it’s environment, get nice pictures of animals sneaking up on their prey, seize birds perched excessive up within the timber, and seize tranquilizing reflections of the daybreak on the lake waters.
Getting there: Located within the park premises and is the primary cease on any Gir National Park safari
Timings: 8:30 AM to six PM
Entry payment: Free
5. Seek Lord’s Blessings At Tulsi Shyam Temple
Dedicated to Lord Krishna, Tulsi Shyam is a widely known temple situated contained in the Gir park. The temple homes a 3,000 12 months outdated idol of Lord Krishna made out of again stone. Near the temple are sizzling sulfur springs which might be believed to have therapeutic powers. Another attraction that attracts folks to this temple is the stretch of street close to the temple famed for its Gravity Hill phenomenon. People make a positive shot go to to this temple the place main sizzling springs close to to the temple are the opposite main attraction.
Getting there: It is situated on the SH 104 freeway and borders Amreli and Gir Somnath district
Timings: 6:30 AM to 7 PM
Entry payment: Free
6. Visit Tribal Settlements In The Park
Visiting the tribes residing contained in the park is maybe the most effective issues to do in Gir National Park. The Maldharis Tribe Visit & Siddis Tribal Visit will carry you one step nearer in understanding the bond people shared with their pure atmosphere prior to now, and nonetheless do in lots of elements of the nation earlier than the arrival of know-how and urbanization.
Maldhari Tribal Settlement:
This is a extremely non secular pastoral group that migrated to Gir round 125 years in the past regardless of apparent risks and lack of infrastructure. Since then, they’ve been brilliantly coexisting with the park’s wild beasts, even lions. They imagine cattle misplaced the park’s predators are choices or ‘prasad’ in trade for dwelling in one other’s homeland. Now an integral a part of the forest space, these vegetarian tribesmen stay in settlements referred to as ‘nesses’ and follow cattle rearing to maintain themselves.
Siddis Tribal Settlement:
The Siddis are India’s solely African settlement that migrated right here 800 years in the past and have referred to as the nation their residence since then. Apart from Gir in Gujarat, these tribes additionally reside in small pockets of the villages of Karnataka, Hyderabad, and Maharashtra. In Gir, it’s a strictly agricultural village the place the tribesmen stay harmoniously with their pure surrounding and wilderness.
Getting there: The tribes are situated throughout the park and you could accompany guides to enter the tribal villages.
Timings: Anytime however with a information
Entry payment: Free
4 Places To Stay In Gir National Park
From funds lodges to luxurious resorts, there are many lodging choices close to Sasan Gir.
1. Daksh Resort Sasan Gir
Welcome to one of the luxurious resorts in Gujarat. Immerse yourselves within the pure essence of Gir with keep at Daksh Resort, a widely known farm based mostly dwelling close to the park designed to provide friends the texture of dwelling amidst nature. Counted among the many greatest funds Gir National Park resorts, Daksh is an all time favourite farm resort of nature and wildlife lovers in addition to photographers who go to Sasan Gir. Along with comfy rooms, the resort has ample facilities for guests like pool, restaurant, actions for kids, free WiFi, free parking, airport transfers, and extra.
Location: Chitravad Road, Behind Devaliya Park, Sasan Gir
Prices ranging from: INR 1,992/- per particular person
TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 | TripAdvisor Reviews
2. The Gir Garden
Offering an ideal mix of pure magnificence with top-class providers, Gir Garden Resort is among the many most wonderful funds Gir National Park lodges. The lodge property is surrounded by a captivating mango orchard and is located on the banks of the Hiran River, which is why it’s a good escape for these in search of peace and rejuvenation. Other than pure splendour, the lodge is provided with world class services like pool, restaurant, free parking, free WiFi, airport transfers, and kitchenette rooms.
Location: Chitrod Village, Sasan Gir 362135
Prices ranging from: INR 2,699/- per particular person
TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 | TripAdvisor Reviews
3. Lords Resorts Sasan Gir
The resort boasts of 56 effectively furnished rooms with 44 deluxe, Eight studio & Four suites. One of the very best Gir National Park resorts, the magnificent property is situated merely 2 km away from the first entry gate of Gir Sanctuary. Their big selection of impeccable services like a multi delicacies restaurant referred to as BluMini Bar, in-house laundry, valet service, snack basket in rooms, enterprise heart, health centre, youngsters actions, airport transfers, free parking, and free WiFi are positive to blow your thoughts!
Location: Sasan Junagadh Road, Village Bhalchel, Tal. Mendarda, Sasan Gir 362135
Prices ranging from: INR 3,020/- per particular person
TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 | TripAdvisor Reviews | Website
4. The Fern Gir Forest Resort
The most outstanding of luxurious resorts close to Gir, Fern is an epitome of grandeur, magnificence, and elegance. Nestled within the thick, lush inexperienced jungles of Sasan Gir amidst picturesque hills, inexperienced fields, and beautiful landscaped gardens, Fern Resort affords a surreal vacation expertise to {couples}, households with children, and journey seekers.
The resort boasts of 40 spacious and opulent rooms together with suites, villas, cottages & luxurious tents, every providing serene views of River Hiran flowing by. With outstanding services like Sohum Spa close to the river, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, jacuzzi, pool, laundry, concierge, enterprise centre, free parking, free WiFi, airport transfers, and a famend, lavish restaurant, this place will make you neglect all troubles of the world.
Location: Sasan Gir, Gir Sanctuary 362135
Prices ranging from: INR 5,527/- per particular person
TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 | TripAdvisor Reviews | Website
Tip: You also can go for the dormitory within the Sinh Sadan Guest House for INR 50/- per particular person when you’re in search of extraordinarily cheap Gir National Park lodges.
2 Amazing Restaurants In Gir National Park
Since it’s situated in Gujarat, Sasan Gir has largely vegetarian eating places. But one can discover non-vegetarian choices inside resorts and lodges situated across the park premises.
1. Hotel Aditya for pure vegetarian delights
This pure vegetarian restaurant serves a pleasant 17-item Gujarati Thali to its guests for probably the most genuine Gujju eating expertise. One can take pleasure in cuisines starting from Punjabi, South Indian, in addition to Gujarati to its guests. The diner has a really delicate, soothing atmosphere with comfy seating. Reputed for serving probably the most hygienic and high quality meals within the space, Hotel Aditya is a should go to for all vegetarian foodies visiting Gir.
Location: Sasan Somnath Highway Station Road, Talala Gir, Sasan Gir 362150
Average Cost: INR 300/- per particular person
TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 | TripAdvisor Reviews
2. ZAIKA, Fern Gir Forest Resort for delectable non-veg delicacies
With a spectacular ambiance and lavish setting, Zaika in Fern Gir Forest Resort is the right place in Gir for some lavish eating whereas banking on spectacular views of the Gir Sanctuary and Hiran River flowing by. Newly-opened and completely extravagant, the restaurant supplies unimaginable gastronomical experiences to diners with quite a lot of specialised non-vegetarian delicacies.
Location: Fern Gir Forest Resort, Sasan Gir, Gir National Park 362135
Average Cost: INR 1,000/- per particular person
Website
General Tips For Trip To Gir National Park
Here are a number of suggestions to remember whereas visiting the Gir National Park:
- Do not feed, or disturb the wildlife.
- Carry numerous water and area guides to find out about your environment
- Do not scare the wildlife with fast or sudden actions
- Smoking isn’t allowed as cigarette butts might arouse forest fireplace
- Walking or mountaineering isn’t allowed within the park. For security causes, keep in a car with a information
- Picking crops or bugs prohibited; don’t take away something from the park
- No flash or intrusive pictures allowed
- Do not litter. Trash can solely to be disposed in correct receptacles.
- Use designated areas solely. picnicking or tenting are usually not allowed
- Refrain from taking any searching gadgets or different weapons
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