Gir National Park Quick Guide: Safari, Wildlife and Travel Tips
- Subhashish Chatterjee
- Nov 30
- 8 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
In This Quick Guide: Find structured information on Gir National Park safaris, core and Devalia zones, lion sightings, permit booking and travel planning.
Gujarat's Gir National Park is the only home of the Asiatic Lion and one of India’s most significant conservation success stories. Its dry teak forests, thorn scrub, and open grasslands form a landscape where predators, pastoralists, and local communities share space in a way that is rare anywhere else.
Visitors meet lions, marsh crocodiles, hundreds of bird species, and traditional pastoral communities across a dramatic landscape that shifts from rugged hills to sunlit savannahs. Whether you want sightings, culture, photography, or slow travel, Gir delivers an experience shaped by nature and heritage.
This Gir National Park Quick Guide distils the essential information for planning safaris, understanding the terrain, and experiencing the rich cultural footprint of the region.
Why Visit Gir National Park
Gir is the only landscape where Asiatic Lions still survive in the wild. The forest blends dry teak cover, open grasslands and rocky hills, creating a strong mix of wildlife, culture and conservation history.
Asiatic Lion Stronghold: The Gujarat Forest Department recorded a rise in the lion population from 674 in 2020 to 891 in 2025. Gir is the only place on Earth where this subspecies lives in the wild, making every encounter both rare and meaningful.
Conservation Story: A century ago, fewer than 20 lions survived. Generations of local communities and forest staff protected the species, creating one of the world’s most successful big cat recoveries.
Birdwatching Richness: More than 300 species thrive here. Look for the endangered white-backed vulture, crested serpent eagle, Indian paradise flycatcher, mottled wood owl, painted stork, and winter migrants such as the Eurasian spoonbill.
Living Cultural Landscape: Forest settlements known as nes reflect the pastoral life of the Maldharis, who coexist with predators through age-old practices. Nearby Siddi communities add music-centred heritage through their Dhamal traditions.
A Varied Landscape: Teak forests, acacia scrub, grasslands, and water bodies create diverse habitats that appeal to wildlife photographers and naturalists.
Top Experiences & Hidden Gems
A safari in Gir is the main attraction, but the forest and its surroundings offer more layers. The park’s rhythm shifts by season, and each corner holds something different.
Morning safaris focus on tracking lions and listening for calls. Evening drives bring warm light and rising dust that shape photographs. Short breaks outside the forest create time for culture, temples, villages and local food.
Gir Jungle Safari: The open-gypsy safari is Gir’s defining experience. Routes cover forests, grasslands, and riverbeds with chances to see lions, leopards, crocodiles, and birds.
Devalia Safari Park (Gir Interpretation Zone): A controlled zone with a separate leopard enclosure. Higher chance of lion and leopard sightings. Remains open during monsoon due to cemented tracks. Good for birding.
The Meter-Gauge Forest Train: The Veraval–Junagadh meter-gauge line cuts through the sanctuary. It is the only active rail route passing through a national park in India. On rare occasions, lions appear near the track.
Siddi Dhamal Performance: The Siddi community performs an energetic drum-and-dance rhythm in villages near the park. Their African-origin heritage and local adaptation make this a unique cultural encounter.
Jamjir Waterfall: A scenic spot an hour from the park, ideal for a quiet break after safaris.
Junagadh Uparkot Fort: An ancient fort complex with caves, stepwells and city views that tell the region’s long history.
Girnar Hill and Ropeway: A major pilgrimage site with temples on a granite peak. The ropeway offers panoramic views.
Somnath Temple: A historic Jyotirlinga temple that fits well into a Gir itinerary.
Diu Island: Beaches, seafood and Portuguese-era architecture. A refreshing break after the forest.
Best Photography Corners
Light and dust define Gir’s photographic identity. The forest’s muted palette makes subjects stand out, especially during early morning or late afternoon.
The tracks near water bodies often give close views of lions, while teak trails create quiet scenes where birds and deer blend into the dry leaves. Dust trails in summer offer dramatic silhouettes.
Kamleshwar Dam: Home to many marsh crocodiles. Morning light enhances textures on their scales and reflects on the still water.
Teak Forest Paths: Fallen leaves form a rusty carpet that blends with the lions’ coats. Tracks through these areas give atmospheric portraits.
Maldhari Nes: With consent, photograph herdsmen in white attire with their cattle. These environmental portraits capture the essence of life in the forest.
Dust-Lit Scenes: Evening safaris create drifting dust in backlight. Use it to silhouette chital, nilgai, or trees.
Local Vibe, Food & Culture
Kathiawar has a welcoming culture shaped by pastoral life, temples, seaside towns and strong culinary traditions. The pace slows as you move through villages and forest settlements.
Meals are simple but flavourful, often built around local produce, millets and spices. Conversations with guides and drivers reveal the region’s pride in the lions and their history.
Kathiawadi Thali: Dishes like sev tameta, ringan no oro, bajra rotla, and ghee-laced jaggery.
Kesar Mangoes: Visit orchards in summer during April–June to taste fresh mangoes.
Local Drinks: Buttermilk and razz sold near Sasan Gir.
Village Walks: Explore Sasan village during evenings for a cultural snapshot.
Essential Advice & Practical Prep
Travel in Gir centres on strong planning. The region functions on a fixed permit system and strict reporting windows. Good preparation improves sightings and lowers stress around logistics.
Gir National Park Safari Zones
Gir runs two different safari experiences. Both follow fixed routes and reporting rules, but each gives a different view of the forest.
Gir Jungle Safari (Sasan Gir Zone)
The core zone covers the primary forest blocks around Sasan. These tracks move through teak woodland, grassland edges and natural water bodies.
Open-jeep safaris use 13 fixed routes. Allocation happens at the gate.
Safari duration is about three hours.
The core zone shuts for the monsoon from 16 June to 15 October each year.
Lions, leopards, nilgai and chital move freely across routes, so each circuit feels different.
Devalia Park (Gir Interpretation Zone)
Devalia offers a short, controlled viewing circuit inside a fenced landscape.
Cemented tracks keep the zone open through the year.
Safari duration is about 55-60 minutes.
Higher chances of lion and leopard sightings due to the compact layout.
A good place for birding around the grassland and the waterbody.
Ideal for travellers who miss core permits or those with limited time.
Sinh Sadan: Your Starting Point
Built in 1911, Sinh Sadan is the administrative heart of Gir. All safaris start here. It houses booking counters, waiting areas, basic accommodation, and staff offices.
Show your permit, ID, and camera fee receipt at the counters.
The office assigns your route and guide.
Guide and vehicle fees are paid at designated counters.
The steel bottle deposit system and safe drinking water are available here.
Sinh Sadan connects visitors to both Gir Core and Devalia.
Safari Booking: What You Pay For
Gir safaris have four charge components.
Online Permit Fee: Per vehicle, paid during booking.
Camera Fee: Standard per camera. Large lenses follow the same rule.
Guide Fee: Paid at Sinh Sadan before entry.
Vehicle Fee: Paid at Sinh Sadan before entry.
Below are the charges for the safari, organised into tables for easy reference.
Gir Jungle Safari & Devalia Park Gypsy Safari Permit Fees
Gir Jungle Safari & Devalia Park Gypsy Safari Guide Fees
Gir Jungle Safari Vehicle Fees
Devalia Park Gypsy Safari Vehicle Fees
Official Timings and Booking Rules
Safari Timings
Gir follows seasonal timings for both the core zone and Devalia. The windows change between winter and summer.
Gir Jungle Safari Timings
Devalia Park Gypsy Safari Timings
Booking Rules
All permits are online through the official Gir Forest portal. No offline permits exist at Devaliya Park or Sinh Sadan.
Booking opens 90 days before the safari date.
Carry the original ID used during booking. Mismatched IDs lead to denied entry.
Route assignment for core safaris happens only at the reporting counter.
Devalia follows a fixed circuit with no route choice.
Practical Safari Tips
Visitors help protect Gir by respecting rules and travel etiquette.
Plastic-Free Environment: Single-use plastic is banned.
Steel Bottle System: Safe drinking water is available at Sinh Sadan. Visitors receive a reusable steel bottle for a small refundable deposit of INR 10 and return it after the safari.
Carry Essentials: Keep water, snacks, wipes, and a basic first-aid kit.
Follow Guide Instructions: They understand animal behaviour and safety protocols.
Book two core safaris and one Devalia session for balanced sightings.
Morning safaris show more movement. Evening safaris offer warm light and dust-lit scenes.
Clothing and Gear Suggestion
Gir’s climate changes across seasons, so adjust your packing accordingly.
Winter (Nov-Feb): Mornings are cold. Pack layers, a fleece or light down jacket, gloves, and a warm cap.
Summer (Mar-May): Heat is intense. Wear breathable cottons and carry a hat and sunglasses.
All Seasons: Stick to muted colors like olive, grey, or brown. Keep a scarf or face mask ready for dust on the tracks.
Field Photography Tips
Dust Protection: Cover your camera with a sleeve or bag during transit. Avoid changing lenses in the open.
Lens Choice: A 400 mm or longer lens lets you photograph without disturbing wildlife.
Golden Hour Technique: Use soft morning light for activity shots. Use evening sidelight for portraits and textures.
Unique Perspectives: Shoot low frames from gypsy level to capture long trails and dust clouds from a ground perspective. Photograph lions or deer along straight tracks to create strong leading lines. Water reflections at Kamleshwar Dam create clean compositions during calm hours.
Travel Logistics Beyond Safaris
Advance Booking: Book core zone permits 90 days in advance.
Best Season: Visit between October and May for the best wildlife movement. March and May offer the highest chances of sightings near water bodies.
Accommodation: Stay in Sasan Gir or nearby villages. These locations place you close to Sinh Sadan and early morning safari departures.
Connectivity: Expect stable mobile networks in Sasan Gir town across major operators including Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone. Coverage drops sharply as you move toward the forest. There is no signal inside the core zone.
Reaching Gir: Travel to Gir through well connected rail, road, and air routes. Veraval, Junagadh, and Rajkot serve as key arrival hubs.
Arrival Hub: How to Reach Gir
Gir is well connected by rail, road, and air. Most travellers arrive by train because the region’s rail network offers convenient access and a heritage journey.
By Train
Veraval (Station Code: VRL): 45 KM from Gir.
Junagadh Junction (JND): 53 KM.
Rajkot (RJT): 156 KM.
Taxis and buses connect all three stations to Sasan Gir.
Meter Gauge Heritage Train
The Junagadh–Delvada meter gauge line passes through the countryside and near Gir forest. This slow-moving, open-window train gives a rare chance to experience a historic rail route still in use.
By Air
Rajkot Airport (IATA Code: RAJ): 189 KM.
Ahmedabad Airport (AMD): 366 KM.
By Road
Sasan Gir connects to Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Somnath, Diu, and Surat through good highways. Travel times range from two hours to eight hours depending on route.