Overview

Gir National Park is the only place in the world outside Africa where a lion can be seen in its natural habitat. The lions of Gir are a majestic animal, averaging 2.75 metres in length, and with a bigger tail tassle, bushier elbow tufs and prominent belly folds than his African cousin which has larger mane. Gir is a home to 40 species of mammals and 425 species of birds.
We all know, Gir is the only natural habitat of world popular Asiatic Lions. Where our tailor made Gir Wild Life Tour Package gives you an unparalleled opportunity to watch those rare Asiatic Lions coupled with thousands of other elusive wild animals and hard-to-find birds like uncommon Asiatic wild ass, hyenas, Gir foxes, pygmy woodpecker, brown fish owl and black buck etc, it will make sure that you receive the highest standards of luxury, comfort and travel. Additionally, all this is available at very competitive rates.
Based on the census as per April 2010, it has been recorded that count if lions is about 411 and the program of lion breeding covers the surrounding park and has been able to breed about hundred and eighty lions in captivity since the beginning. This wildlife reserve comprises of three reserves that are adjoin and comprises of Nalsarovar Lake that is home to a wide stock of the water birds, Rann-of-Kutch that is renowned for its captivating island of flamingo and Indian wild Ass. Collaboration of the three reserves increases wildlife diversity to the wildlife reserve that summons wildlife enthusiast scores to the place from various parts of globe.
The sanctuary lies in the peninsula of Gujarat that is India's south-western part with terrain that has low hills, is rugged and filled with mixed deciduous trees. Land is rugged with the deepest ravines, rocky hills that are steep, rivers aplenty and those are interspersed with big grassland patches. Major attractions of the place are Asiatic Lions, The bird Sanctuary that houses more than two hundred species of birds, Temple of TulsiShyam and breeding farm of Crocodiles that is nearby Sasan. A combination of crocodiles, Pygmy woodpecker, Chital, Leopard and many more such animals make this place come alive.

History

Since 1884, the year, This Park has been the only habitat naturally for the Asiatic lions that are now endangered. During the era of the British, these British officers always took real pride in mercilessly hunting the lions and also hunting in general. All their hunting activities were done with the help of locals and Maharajas as well as the nawabs that are obliged them. Pride and prowess of Maharajas during this time was fathomed on the basis of total tigers and lions that were hunted successfully. It is in the year 1899 that great famine happened and population of the lions significantly dropped and it was Lord Curzon that dropped the idea of planning any hunting expedition or "shikaar". Furthermore, it was advised that local Maharajas and Nawabs safeguard meagre left over lions. In the year of 1960, Indian Government banned hunting of lions and the only thing allowed was photo safaris that continue up till now.

Wildlife

The land of the Asiatic lion is the ideal reserve for the tremendous varieties of wild creatures to roam freely and safely. To make a royal journey towards the grand rugged hills of Sasan Gir, the wildlife lovers can get a fabulous opportunity to witness around 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. Desert cats and Rusty-spotted cats exist but can be rarely seen.
The main herbivores genres of the residents of Gir are Chital, Nilgai (or Blue bull), Antelope, Sambar, Four-horned Chinkara and Wild boar. Blackbucks from the surrounding area can be occasionally identified in the sanctuary.
The group of smaller mammals will also include Porcupine and Hare where Pangolin is rare in Gir sanctuary. 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. Being adopted under the Indian Crocodile Conservation Project in 1977, the Gujarat State Forest Department has used the reserve area where the area is also flourished with more than 300 species of birds. The scavenger group of birds has 6 recorded species of Vultures. Some of the typical species 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.

Safari

To have a fantastic safari experience at Sasan Gir, the privilege of jeep safari with an assistance of a guide is beneficial. The Gir Forest Department also organizes "Lion Shows" for much fun. They make sure that you can see the lions at close range so they send trackers early morning on a mission to the located places and tempt them with live baits.

Jeep Safari :

Safari is organized by the state forest department which is of approximately 3 hours inside the core area of the Park. Tourists going inside the park are accompanied by forest department approved jeep driver and guide during open jeep safari. Boarding point for safari is "Sinh Sadan". Travelers need to report to Sinh Sadan at least 30 minutes prior to schedule Safari time.

Kankai Safari

If you are the one who has been to Gujarat and you did not experience Kankai Safari in Gir National Park then you are missing out on a major thing from your tour. The Kankai Safari will lead your way to the most attractive spot for the gathering of ample wild animals.
The Kankai Temple basically originated from Shri kankeshwari Mataji or in short Kankai mataji temple. This place of worship is 25 km away from the Sasan Gir. It is also said that the goddess here is addressed as the rescuer of propels wandering a propos in the Gir forest. The Kankai Mata temple lies inside the Gir National Park which is perfect for wildlife wanderlust. Tourists can also experience lion thunder within the temple.

Lion Safari

For Gir there are 3 safari tours each day that commences at 6.30 am, 9.30 am and then in the late evening at 3.30 pm. During summers the times are normally preponed by 30 minutes . Whereas the 6.30 AM trip is the best but when winters are at the peak the difference is negligible. In the monsoons Safari is usually suspended.

Safari Timing : -

Morning Time : 06:00 Am to 09:00 Am
Evening Time : 03:00 Pm to 06:00 Pm

Flora

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 river Hiran is the only one to flow year-round; with rest of the inflows being seasonal. There are also areas of the park with open scrub and savannah-type of grassland.
The National Park of Gir's topography comprises of diverse flora range and there can be a varied range of deciduous trees, semi-evergreen and evergreen trees that can be found. In addition to that there are grasslands that are savannah type, jungles with thorny scrub, open zones of mixed forest and a lot more that can be found. However deciduous and mixed forested belt occupies major portion related to the park that consists of teak trees mainly. The broad leaved evergreen trees that are found at the Park include Flame of forest, Zizyphas, dhak, jamun, tendu, babool, banyan and acacia. Plants like Dhavdo, timru, umro, simai, Simal, khakro, Kalam, Vad, Amla, Bamboo, Ber and Saliacan also be found inside the forest. The trees that are deciduous are actually dry type while evergreen trees appear shady, moisture retaining and broad-leaved. Trees like casuarinas and Prosopsis are planted on forest department's coastal side. There are flowering trees as well.

Fauna

Gir National Park is a popular wildlife reserve in Sasangir, Gujarat. Fauna in Gir National Park forms a major part of wildlife in Gujarat. It is a beautiful park dotted with an abundance of flora, fauna and avifauna alluring a lot of travelers from India as well as from abroad. Sprawling over an area of 1412 sq km, Gir National Park is one of the most attractive National Parks in India.
If you are a wildlife enthusiast, than there is no better place than this National Park. Fauna in Gir National Park are numerous and diverse. Gir provides shelter to a large number of fauna and avifauna species The park is home to a number of species of lions and leopards making it one of the major big-cat hubs in India. Gir National Park is the last and only home of the gravely endangered Asiatic Lions. There is also a large population of marsh crocodile or mugger in Gir. The large water bodies at the park like the Kamleshwar Dam houses several crocodiles and birds.
Gir is known to be blessed with a wealth of more than two thousand three hundred species of fauns and it is diverse. According to the statistics, It conserves almost three hundred species of leopard and lion. However, the one thing that makes Gir really renowned is the fact that Asiatic lions are reserved in it. Only place after Africa that is second to Gir is Africa in terms of Asiatic lions. Apart from leopards and lions, the National park boasts of two thousand species of insects, thirty eight species of mammals, thirty seven species of reptile, three hundred species of bird, leopards and lions. Birds comprise of greenish warbler, green pigeon that is yellow footed, Griffon Eurasian vulture, Hawk eagle that is changeable, Bonelli’s eagle, Indian Pitta, bush rock quail, Bonelli's Eagle, Oriole, crested, treeswift and pygmy woodpecker. Mammals like Porcupine and hare can be spotted with carnivores like jungle cats, striped hyenas, Indian leopards, Indian mongoose and Golden jackals.

Tourist Attractions

Kamleshwar Dam

This is the most requisite dam in the area being built over the Hiran River. Located inside the vicinity of Gir National Park, the Kamleshwar Dam actually serves as a lifeline of the reserve area where the tourists can find great varieties of marsh crocodiles.

Tulsi Shyam Temple

This is a famous temple in the area dedicated to Lord Krishna. People make a sure shot visit to this temple where major hot springs near to the temple are the other major attraction.

Crocodile Breeding Farm

The Crocodile Breeding farm near the Sasan Gir Reserve is an appealing place to learn about the breeding of the crocodiles.

Sasan Gir National Park

If there is any wildlife destination in the world that is eminent then that has to be Sasan National Park of Gir. It is located in the Junagarh district of Gujarat and is considered the biggest sanctuary and wildlife reserve of India. The Park's main attraction is the Asiatic lions that are called Leo PantheraPersica also. Over the years it has gained immense level of popularity as one prestigious sanctuary for lions spanning across 3386 square kilometres.

Devalia Safari Park

It is called the interpretation zone of Gir and in other terms, Devalia is part of National Park of Gir that is segregated by Chain liked 412 Ha fences. For reducing the pressure of Gir because every year it attracts the heaviest footfall, Devalia caters to those tourists that are unable in getting permits for safari in Gir.

Zamzir waterfall

This waterfall is a lovely one being present on Hiran river and is quite a beautiful place having an active waterfall all round the year. Every year people flock around this waterfall mainly because few steps towards waterfall's upstream, you can take a bath. It is all about enjoying the nature and beauty this place has to offer.

Best Time to Visit

The wealth of flaura and fauna at Gir is debarred from being seen as Gir National Park is kept close from mid of June to 15th October every year due to rainy season. November to March is considered best time to visit Gir Forest National Park. However April and may, despite of being hot months are perfect to witness the amazing wild life of Gir. June is too hot and is advisable for only those who can cope up with harsh loos of this month. Climate is predominantly hot though the area witnesses monsoon, winter and summers yet summer accounts for the maximum time.

Summer Season

It is during this time that the range of temperature fluctuates between forty five degrees Celsius and ten degrees Celsius. Hottest months have been recorded to be between May and April and that is not the Gir Forest best time to visit.

Winter season

Winter is in fact a great time when the trip can be planned to the National Park because Best time to visit Gir Forest National Park. If at all there is any best time then it has to be the winter months because the weather has a cool quotient and you have an amazing chance to witness game sightings.

Monsoon Season

However, rains do bring in relief from this scorching heat during period of monsoons that continues up till September from June's middle that can be the Gir National Park best time to visit if you have always wanted to visit the place. The forest is open throughout the year, excepting the months of monsoon that extends till October from June.

How To Reach

By Air :

If you are coming from anywhere other than Gujarat, you have several alternatives for plane travel. Keshod Airport is 60 kilometers away, while Diu airport is 100 kilometers away from Sasan. Rajkot (160 km) and Ahmedabad (180 km) are the other two major and well-connected airports (370).

By Rail :

The western railway station is at Sasan, about 60 kilometers from Junagadh and 45 kilometers from Veraval. A broad-gauge railway line connects Veraval to Ahmedabad via Junagadh and Rajkot. Taxis and buses to Sasan-Gir are easily accessible from the Junagadh and Veraval railway stations.

By Road :

Gir Forest may be reached by car from Junagadh through the Junagadh-Mendarda-Talala and Junagadh-Visavadar state roads; Veraval via the Veraval-Talala-Sasan state highway; Amreli via the Amreli-Dhari-Kodinar state highway; and Una via the Una-Tulsishyam Dhari and Una Jamwala state highways.

Hotels In Gir National Park

Good standard hotels and resorts in the surrounding area of any wildlife sanctuary play an important role in the promotion of tourism in the state. In the last couple of years many new hotels and reosrts have been established for this specific purpose. The Gir hotels are amazing in some way, whether it is architectural design or natural setting. These beautiful properties are all equipped with modern luxury and amenities that is much-needed during tourist’s vacation. However, our extensive web portal enriched with variety of good resorts provides a number of these Budget hotels in Gir. We ensure obstacle free booking procedure to Gir Hotels. So once come and get lost in the serene ambiance of the Gir Forest.
For the best accommodation facility at the Sasan Gir Reserve area many impressive lodges and resorts are available to make the wildlife journey more explicit. These lodges are credited with salubrious facilities and services to make your wildlife tour enjoyable and memorable. Find the best names to make a perfect choice during your visit to Gir National Park.