Address
Gir National Park,
Sasan Gir, Junagadh 362135,
Gujarat
Directions: Google Maps
Support
Phone: 02877-285540
Phone: 02877-285621
Email: nil
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About Gir National Park
The sole abode of lions, Gir National Park is the only wildlife sanctuary in the world, besides Africa to spot Asiatic Lions. The national park, popularly known as Sasan Gir is a thriving habitat for these endangered species, and is located in the District of Junagarh, in the Indian state of Gujarat. To conserve and protect, the Asiatic Lions from poaching and hunting, the forest core area of 258-sq.km became a national park in 1965, and later the 1412 sq. km buffer area became the wildlife sanctuary.
In the past, on the verge of extinction, the population of Asiatic Lions is now stable, owing to conservation success, and is the major attraction of the park, for tourists. The national park is highly abundant, with rich ecosystem and healthy biodiversity, of dry and deciduous forest lands, making it a thriving habitat for 600 species of plants, 300 species of birds, and 36 species of mammals.
Besides the Asiatic Lions, Gir National Park is famous for Sambar deer, and the Chowsingha, a four-horned antelope. The park is home to 523 Asiatic Lions and over 300 Leopards, roaming free in the wilderness of Sasan Gir. The Park is home to over 200 species of migratory and resident birds, and is famous for the endangered white-backed and long-billed vultures. The Kamleshwar reservoir is a breeding ground for marsh crocodiles, and snakes, and the park records over 40 different types of reptiles, and small carnivorous species.
Other attractions nearby Sasan Gir are the Girnar Mountain, the Nalsarovar Lake, the Kamleshwar dam and the Junagadh Zoo. The Park conducts three slots of safari rides in a typical day, with the first slot from 6.00 am to 9.00 am and the second slot from 8.30 am to 11.30 pm, and the third slot from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Online booking is essential, and costs vary for Indians and foreigners.
The Park is open to the public from October to June and, the Devaliya Safari Park is open, all round the year, and remains closed only on Wednesdays. Likewise, the park closes every year from June to Oct, due to monsoons, and the tourist season starts from Nov-Jan, and experiences pleasant climate from Dec-March, and best visited during April and May, to spot Asiatic Lions, and Leopards.
Tourists can stay at the Sinh Sadan Forest Lodge, and the Gir Lodge, located within the premises of the park, and there are plenty of budget to luxury accommodation options, available at the forest reserve, and nearby the park.
The nearest airport, at Diu and Rajkot is a 2-hour drive from Sasan Gir and, the nearest railway station at Sasan are 40 kms, and Rajkot is 160 km from the Park. The railway station at Junagarh, is a one-hour drive from Sasan Gir, and is the best option to take, if travelling by road. Ahmedabad is 7-hours away from Sasan Gir, and has good rail, air, and road networks, connecting Sasan Gir with other metro cities, and International countries. For more information or queries on tickets, tours, accommodation, photography , or others, reach the Gir National Park support.
