Gir National Park, Gujarat: How to Reach, Information & Timing

Discover The Gir National Park, Gujarat

One of the best places to visit in Gujarat is Gir National Park, located 65 kilometres south of the Junagarh district in the Indian state of Gujarat, which is the only habitat for genuine Asiatic lions. The sanctuary, which was established on September 18, 1965, spans a total area of 1412 square kilometres in Gujarat's Saurashtra region. The park was created primarily to protect the Asiatic Lion, which has been designated as the world's most endangered animal. Many academics and hunters travel to Gir because it is the only area in the world where lions survive outside of Africa. Gir has developed as a stable ecosystem due to its great biodiversity, which includes 606 plant species, 2000 insect species, 36 animal species, and over 300 bird species. Gir's dry deciduous forest spans a wide area and plays an important part in maintaining the region's climate.

Aside from the Asiatic Lion, Gir National Park in Gujarat is famous for spotting sloth bears, wild boars, Indian leopards, striped hyenas, spotted deer, chowsingha (the world's only four-horned antelope), and porcupines. The sanctuary's Kamleshwar dam reservoir is also home to a huge population of marsh crocodiles. Gir National Park is also a birdwatcher's paradise, home to numerous endangered species such as Bonelli's eagle, sarus crane, and white-backed and long-billed vultures.

Things to do in Gir National Park

1. Jeep Safari to explore the Park 

Set out on an exciting 3-hour for a jeep safari in Gir National Park, excursion with a trained guide in search of an unforgettable encounter with the huge Asiatic lion in its native environment. Seeing this beautiful beast from an open-roof vehicle is guaranteed to be a once-in-a-lifetime pleasure.

Jeep Safari Booking: 

A jeep safari may be booked in two ways:

• Online reservations are available at www.girnationalpark.in.
• For Indians, the approximate cost is Rs.5,300 for up to 6 persons.
• For foreigners, the approximate cost is Rs.12,800 for up to 6 persons.

For safari bookings and arrangements, contact the hotel where you intend to stay.

Timings for Safari- 6:00 am - 9:00 am, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

2. Meet the Maldhari Tribes

Apart from the Gir lion safari camp, it is home to the Maldhari tribesmen and their villages known as nesses, in addition to the spectacular wildlife. This cattle-herding hamlet has coexisted with the Gir forest and its wild creatures for decades and has now become an important part of the region. The Maldharis subsist on forest food and frequently lose their cattle to forest predators, viewing it as a trade for living on their land.

Places in and around Gir National Park

1. Kankai Mata Temple, Gujarat 

A temple dedicated to Kankai Mata, a deity revered by various castes in India, is located in the heart of Gir National Park. This well-known shrine is a must-see for its sacred nature and natural surroundings. The roar of the forest's lions and the sounds of other animals congregating at the neighbouring lake may be heard while standing here.

2. Waterfall of Jamjir, Gujarat

One of the best places to visit in Gujarat during summer, stop at the beautiful Jamjir waterfall in Gir's Jamvala village. This 12-meter-high waterfall has two distinct levels and falls swiftly into a pool. Great vistas and a refreshing plunge are available here, but only if you know how to swim

3. Gir Interpretation Zone, Devalia

The Devaliya Safari Park, located within the sanctuary, provides a close-up view of the Gir forest in a nutshell. The 30-minute safari trip here, which is open all year, provides an opportunity to observe Gir's many ecosystems and wildlife in a guarded area.

How to Reach?  

To visit one of the best national parks of Gujarat you can simply choose any of the following modes at your convenience:

By Air

Keshod Airport and Rajkot airport are the closest airports to Gir National Park. The park is around 70 kilometres from the Keshod airport and about 160 kilometres from the Rajkot airport. From any of these two airports, take a taxi or a bus to the Gir national park. The Mumbai International Airport, on the other hand, is the best method to get to Gir National Park from abroad. One may fly to Diu airport from Mumbai and then take a cab from Diu airport to Gir national park, which is around a 2-hour journey. You may alternatively travel from Mumbai to Porbandar airport and then take a taxi or cab to Gir National Park. It will take around 2 to 2 and a half hours to get from Porbandar to Gir.

By Train

The nearest railway stations to the Gir national park are Junagadh and Veraval, both of which are around the same distance away. Both railway stations are on the state's main railway route, with direct trains connecting them to all of the country's major cities. To go to Gir from any of these two train stations, take a cab, taxi, or state bus, which will take around an hour and a half to two hours via road. The Rajkot train station, which is around 165 kilometres from the Gir forest and takes 3 and a half to 4 hours by car, is the next nearest railway station. The Rajkot railway station is also a significant station with direct and connecting trains to major destinations.

By Road

Travelling on the roads is usually a pleasurable experience that is superior to any other mode of transportation. Gujarat's roads are in relatively excellent condition, and road travel in the state may be both pleasant and pleasurable. The Gir National Park is well connected to most of Gujarat's major cities via a decent road. There are both state-run and private-run bus services that provide frequent bus services to Gir from various regions of the state. Cabs and taxis are widely accessible in Gujarat's major cities for commuting to the Gir National Park.

Gir National Park Entry Fee

If you want to tour Gir National Park, you must pay various fees. The admission charge for Indian tourists is Rs. 75, while the fee for foreign visitors is Rs. 100. The safari vehicle price is Rs. 35, the photography fee is Rs. 100, and the 4-hour guide service fee is Rs. 50.

General Information: 

• The Gir National Park has a total area of 1413 square kilometres.
• The Asiatic Lions' Home is well-known.
• A total of 411 lions were counted in the 2010 census, with 97 males, 162 females, and 152 cubs.
• Altitudes range from 150 metres to 530 metres above sea level.
• 7000 50' 7100 15' East Longitudes
• East latitudes are 200 40' and 210 50'.
• Temperatures range from 45 degrees Celsius in the summer to 10 degrees Celsius at night in the winter.
• Rainfall in Gir is 100 mm in the west and 650 mm in the east.
• The best time to visit is from November through January.
• Closed from June 15th to September 15th.

Gir National Park should be on your list of places to see in Gujarat if you are planning a vacation there. To make things easier, you may select the finest Gujarat tour package to visit the state's most popular tourist attractions. So have your binoculars and high-speed cameras ready for an action-packed holiday.