Gir National Park

Protected Wildlife Sanctuary

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Sasan Gir Gir National Park Landscape Image

Overview

Spanning over 1,400 square kilometres, Gir National Park is a protected habitat for the Asiatic Lion along with other species like leopards, wild boars and hyenas that reside here.

Suggested Duration - 3-4 hours

What To Expect?

Within the dry and deciduous forests of Gir National Park are over 200 species of birdlife and 40 species of reptiles including the King Cobra.

Tips

Jeep safaris are available on a chargeable basis to enter the park.
The park safari timings are 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The park is open from mid-October to mid-June.

Gir National Park Overview!

Gir National Park, also known as Sasan Gir, is a wildlife sanctuary situated in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is the only place in the world where you can spot Asiatic Lions in their natural habitat. Spread over an area of 1412 square kilometres, the park is a diverse ecosystem with a variety of flora and fauna.

Highlights of Gir National Park	The park is home to around 600 lions, making it a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts. Apart from the majestic Asiatic Lions, the park is also home to a variety of other wildlife species like leopards, hyenas, sambar deer, chital, nilgai, and chowsingha. The park is also a bird watcher's paradise, with more than 300 species of birds found here.
Timings	The park is open from mid-October to mid-June every year. Safari timings are from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Entry Fee	The entry fee for Indians is INR 800 and for foreign nationals, it is INR 4800. This includes a guide fee and jeep safari charges.
Tips	It's advisable to book your safari in advance, especially during peak season. Carry binoculars for a better view of the wildlife.
Require Time	3 hours.
Restricted Items	Plastic bags and bottles are not allowed inside the park. It's also advised not to wear bright coloured clothes as it may disturb the animals.

More About Gir National Park

The park is not just about wildlife. The diverse flora of the park is equally fascinating with a wide variety of plants and trees that provide a lush green habitat for the animals. The park also has a crocodile breeding farm and a nature interpretation centre.

Sightseeing Around Gir National Park

Nearby attractions include the Kamleshwar Dam, which is famous for its large crocodile population, and the Devalia Safari Park, which offers a quick tour of the wildlife found in Gir.

Best Time to Visit Gir National Park

The best time to visit Gir park is from December to March when the weather is pleasant. However, for those who want to see the Asiatic Lions, the months of April and May are considered the best.

Water Sports at Gir National Park

While Gir National Park is not a typical destination for water sports, the Hiran River flowing through the park offers opportunities for river crossing and bird watching.

Gir National Park Nightlife

Being a wildlife sanctuary, Gir does not offer conventional nightlife. However, the experience of staying in a jungle resort, listening to the sounds of the wild can be quite thrilling.

Restaurants in Gir National Park

There are no restaurants inside the park. However, the resorts around the park offer a variety of cuisines.

Nearby Tourist Spots in Gir National Park

Junagadh, a historic city with many attractions like Uparkot Fort, Mahabat Maqbara, and Girnar Hill, is located nearby. The beach town of Diu is also a short drive away.

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions about Gir National Park

How to choose a destination to travel to?

Travelling is exhilarating - and a little bit intimidating too. You are venturing into the unknown and you really have very little ideas about what things will be like there when you arrive. It's always a massive learning curve when you leap into the new (which is why it's important to thoroughly research a travel destination before you go.) Some of the important things to keep in mind while deciding on a destination to travel are :

Figure out how to travel to a destination, where to stay and what are the things to do amongst other things. Trip Ideas by MakeMyTrip brings you a plethora of knowledge about a destination ranging from images and videos to lists of all the activities

Read posts by travel bloggers who have been there and if needed email them

Watch documentaries and reach out to people who have been there

How to explore a place by yourself?

"Adventure is out there!" - You just need to know the 'whats' and the 'hows' of it. You need to realize the things that will make exploring a place completely worthwhile and satisfy all of your travel cravings. This can be achieved by -

Taking Yourself Out To Eat At A Restaurant

Learn The Public Transportation Routes

Check Out A Local Planetarium Or Observatory

Take A Drive To The Nearest Coastal Town Or National Park

Join A Group Of Tourists On A Sightseeing Tour

Take Pictures At A Botanical Garden

Go Shopping At A Local Farmers Market

How do you plan for the perfect trip to any destination?

To plan the perfect trip, the following will help cover any caveats for your to arrive at the best plan for your vacations :

Where do you want to go? - Your first step in how to plan a vacation is to choose a travel destination that meets your interests and travel budget.

Once you have chosen your destination, the next step in planning a trip is to book flights. And learning how to find and book cheap flights will help you reduce one of your biggest expenses when it comes to travelling

Where you stay is your other major travel expense, so choosing the best stay for your needs at a price that suits you will free up more money for activities

Another major thing to consider while planning a trip is to find out the transportation options in your chosen destination, be it public or private and the costs involved

When you plan a trip you should also research about the must-visit attractions and the best free things to do in your destination of choice

Know the visa requirements for visiting the destination

Depending on where you are planning your trip in a particular country, it's important to get the correct advice for any necessary vaccinations that needs to be taken care of before your travel dates

Make copies of your important documents and keep them handy