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Gir National Park

Gir National Park

wildlife park · Gujarat

Gir is the last refuge of the Asiatic lion, the only place on earth outside Africa where wild lions roam.

State
Gujarat
Type
Wildlife Park
Best season
Winter
Things to do
2+

Gir is the last refuge of the Asiatic lion, the only place on earth outside Africa where wild lions roam. This dry deciduous forest in Saurashtra also shelters leopards, antelope and over 300 bird species across its safari routes.

A short history

Gir was declared a protected sanctuary in 1913 by the Nawab of Junagadh, alarmed at the Asiatic lion's decline to a reported few dozen animals from hunting, and became a national park in 1975. Conservation since has taken the population from that brink to several hundred today, still confined entirely to this one forest.

Why Gir National Park matters

The only place on Earth where wild Asiatic lions still roam free.

How many people come

7 lakh

national park in 2023 · Gujarat Forest Dept (tourism statistics)

When to go

Best visited October to March when the weather is pleasant; core safari zones usually close during the monsoon.

Why visit

The only place on earth to see wild Asiatic lions — a unique safari found nowhere else outside Africa.

Cultural notes

Conservation by the Nawabs of Junagadh and later the Indian state brought the Asiatic lion back from near-extinction, making Gir a global conservation success story.

How to reach

Nearest airport: Diu (~110 km) or Rajkot; nearest rail: Junagadh or Veraval. The Sasan Gir gate is the main entry.

1 day in Gir National Park

Take the whole plan, or add any single stop.

Day 1

Day 1

Early morning open-jeep forest safari

Early morning open-jeep forest safari

Day 1

Gir Interpretation Zone (Devalia Safari Park)

Gir Interpretation Zone (Devalia Safari Park)

Day 1

Crocodile Breeding Centre at Sasan Gir

Crocodile Breeding Centre at Sasan Gir

Day 1

Evening jungle tracks conversation with naturalists

Evening jungle tracks conversation with naturalists

Gir National Park guide & itineraries

Gir National Park is perfect for

wildlifenaturephotography

Nearby getaways

Kamleshwar Dam

A scenic reservoir built inside the national park, known for its large population of marsh crocodiles.

Frequently asked questions

Is Gir National Park open throughout the year?
The main sanctuary routes are closed to visitors during the monsoon season, typically from mid-June to mid-October. Devalia Safari Park remains open year-round.

Things to do

How to spend your time in Gir National Park.

Go on an Open-Jeep Wildlife Safari

Traverse the core forest reserves in authorized vehicles to spot Asiatic lions, leopards, spotted deer, and diverse bird species.

Visit the Devalia Safari Park

An enclosed eco-tourism zone that guarantees wildlife viewings via organized bus safaris within a short timeframe.

Popular attractions

The places in Gir National Park most people come for.

Gir Lion Safari

Gir Lion Safari

Experience

Devalia Interpretation Zone

Devalia Interpretation Zone

Attraction

See all attractions

Reviews & ratings

What travellers say about Gir National Park

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