Gir National Park: The Home of Lions in India

Besides Africa, Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only place in the world where you can spot lions

roaming free in the wild. The real discovery channel of India is situated approximately 65 Kms South

East of Junagarh District. Also known as Sasan-Gir. The local Maldhari community has lived here for

generations and coexists magnifcently with the wilderness. They sustain themselves by grazing their

livestock and harvesting what they need from the forest. The sizeable portion of their herds lost to lions

and other predators is considered prasad, offered in exchange for living in another's homeland. There

are 106 male, 201 female and 213 sub-adult lions in the wilderness. The seven major perennial rivers of

the Gir region are Hiran, Shetrunji, Datardi, Shingoda, Machhundri, Godavari and Raval. The four

reservoirs of the area are at four dams, one each on Hiran, Machhundri, Raval and Shingoda rivers,

including the biggest reservoir in the area, the Kamleshwar Dam, dubbed 'the lifeline of Gir'.

The Devalia Safari Park:-

Devalia Safari Park also known as Gir Interpretation Zone – Devalia. Gir Interpretation Zone is

basically a fenced- off compound that acts as the home to good cross-section of Gir wildlife. Here, the

chances of spotting lions are pretty good and tourists can get around 35- 40 minutes to look for wildlife

from a bus.

Gir Interpretation Zone is apt for shorter visits. Though lions can be spotted here, but it is not the same

as watching them in the wild. However, it also raises a good level of excitement when seen the roaming

around.

Crocodile Rearing Centre:-

It is one of the famous attractions in Gir, situated in the Forest Department office complex. Here nature

lovers can view some crocodiles. This tourist destination is located at small walking distance from Sinh

Sadan.

FACTS ABOUT ASIATIC LION :-

Until the early 19th century, Asiatic lions roamed an immense area of South and Southwest Asia,

as far east as Greece and as far west as modern Bangladesh.

The Asiatic lion is over two and a half meters long, weighs 115 to 200 kg, and can run short

distances at 65 km/h to chase down the sambar, chital, nilgai, and chinkara that are its preferred

prey. However, when not hungry, it will never attack an animal; The lions prefer open scrub

and deciduous forest areas, and are very bold, not shy around humans.

The Asiatic lion (panthera leo persica) is similar in most respects to its African cousins. The

most prominent differences are a fold of skin that runs along its belly and a reduced mane in

males. In the early 1900s,Nawab Muhammad Rasul Khanji Babi, the ruler at the time, noticed

the lions had all but disappeared; he counted only 12 in the entire forest. Fearing their

extinction, he declared the Gir a protected area.

In May 2015, the Gujarat government released its latest lion census figures, which said Gir’s

Asiatic lion population had grown around 27%, from 411 in 2010 to 523 in 2015.

Asiatic lions, found only in Gujarat, have been classified as an endangered species.

Flora & Fauna:-

In Gir, most of the area is comprised of rugged hills, with high ridges and densely forested

valleys, wide grassland plateaus, and isolated hilltops.

Around half of the forested area of the park is being stuffed with teak forest, with other floral

varieties like khair, dhavdo, timru, amla, and many others.

The other half is non-teak forest, with samai, simal, khakhro and asundro jambu, umro, amli,

vad and kalam; mostly broadleaf and evergreen trees.

The main herbivores genres of the residents of Gir are Chital, Nilgai (or Blue bull), Antelope,

Sambar, Four-horned Chinkara and Wild boar.

The reptiles are represented by the Marsh crocodile hir Tortoise and the Monitor Lizard in the

water areas of the sanctuary. Snakes and Pythons too can be found in the lush bushes and along

the streams.

Some of the typical birds of Gir include 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 and Indian Pitta.

2,375 distinct fauna species of Gir to include

around 38 species of mammals, 300 species of

birds, 37 species of reptiles and more than

2,000 species of insects.

The group of the carnivores in Gir is truly

comprised of the presence of Asiatic lions,

Indian Leopards, Indian Cobras, Sloth bears,

Jungle cats, Golden Jackals, Indian Palm

Civets, Striped Hyenas, Indian Mongoose and

Ratels.

Gir Jungle Safari Timings:-

Morning Timings - 6 AM to 9 AM, 9 AM to 12PM

Evening Timings - 3 PM to 6 PM

Interpretation Zone/ Devalia Safari Park:-

Morning Timings - 8 AM To 11 AM

Evening Timings - 3 PM To 5 PM

Daily game drives in Open 4WD safari vehicles : 03:00 PM to 05:30 PM

Best time for visiting Gir Forest National Park:-

The national park is open to visitors all throughout the year except the monsoon months, between June

and October. But the best time to visit Gir National Park is in the winter season, from November to

March. During this time, the weather is cool and the chances of sighting animals are greater.

Nearest Rail Station:- Rajkot and Junagadh

Nearest Airport:- Ahmedabad.

Gir Photo Gallery:-

Tour Itinerary-

Day 1 - Ahmedabad –

Sasangir Pickup at Ahmedabad and proceed to Sasangir.

In the Evening Visit Gir Interpretation Zone at Devaliya. Crocodile breeding farm, Gir

Information centre.

Watch movie on lion at Gir. Overnight stay at the hotel Or Resort.

Day 2 - Sasan gir Early Morning Enjoy Gir Jungle Safari.

Enjoy the morning and evening game drives in Gir National Park.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 3 - Sasan gir –

Ahmedabad Drop Morning After Breakfast Proceed to Ahmedabad

Note: The guests will need to carry the voter ID Card or Passport as the Photo identity proof. All documents should

be carried in original with one copy.

Tour Cost (Ahmedabad to Ahmedabad)-

For 6 pax: 2 Night 3 Days – Rs. 10,600/- per person + GST

Package Inclusions Package Exclusions

Meeting and assistance on arrival

Accommodation in above mentioned or similar hotels

All Meals at Dasada & SasanGir

All Applicale Luxury Taxes of Hotel.

Safari by non AC gepcy. Transportation by Air-conditioned Indigo/ Maanza (02 Pax) Tavera,

Xylo (04 Pax) (6 Pax) Innova,Traveller (8 Pax)

(10 Pax) for sightseeing and tour, excursions as

per our itinerary. Driver Bata, Toll tax and

parking.

Air fare / train fare Coolie / porter charges.,Camera charges., ·

Donations at temples. Extended stay or travelling due to any reason.

Any meals other then those specified in Tour Cost Includes’

Expenses of personal nature such as tips,

telephone calls, laundry, liquor etc.

Any other item not specified in ‘Tour cost includes’.

Let’s find them in India……