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India’s Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is the last home of the Asiatic Lion. An Asiatic Lion Safari in Gir is an unforgettable experience and of course, it is a bucket-list destination for many wildlife photographers and nature enthusiasts. At The Wildside, we offer a variety of travel options to Sasan Gir. Choose from our wide array of offerings including our scheduled Wildlife Photo Tours, a Customised Vacation or a Private guided safari to Gir.
Asiatic lions are one of the rarest of all the big cat species in the world. These beasts ranged across the lands of the bible and devoured Christians in Roman arenas. Once found across South Asia from Mesopotamia all the way down to Central India, now they are confined to the dry forests of Gir National Park and Sanctuary making it the last home of the Asiatic Lion.
Gir National Park is located in the erstwhile estate of Junagadh in the Southern part of the North-west Indian state of Gujarat. During the British Raj and East India Company Rule, the kings of princely states across India invited and held hunting expeditions for British Colonists and royal guests. Around the early 1900s, this caused the population to plummet and barely a dozen lions were left in the wild, all of them in Gir. The Asiatic Lion became locally extinct all over India except in Junagadh. The concerns to protect the species rose and the forests of Gir were brought under protection by the Nawab of Junagadh in the second half of the 20th century.
Presently, an estimated population of 523 lions calls an area of 1412 sq. km., their home which comprises the National Park and Sanctuary. But the actual habitat spreads across 4 districts – Junagadh, Somnath, Amreli, and Bhavnagar – covering an area of over 22,000 sq. km.
Talk to us to plan your safari to Gir to see and photograph the last surviving population of Asiatic Lions.
October to June
3 nights/4 days
Rajkot
Wildlife safaris in Gir National Park are scheduled to take place twice a day, once in the morning and once in the late afternoon. Each session is for around 3 hours. During our previous tours in Gir, we have had 100% success in finding Asiatic Lions. In Sasan Gir, we work with an experienced team of drivers and naturalists whose experiences are key in helping our guests live their dream of photographing Asiatic Lions. From tracking to positioning the vehicles, they are the best in getting you to the right place at the right moment.
Photographing Asiatic Lions in Gir is not so challenging given the fact that the Big Cats are not very shy. During the dry season in Gir, the forests shed their leaves and the visibility improves, further contributing to better wildlife photography and viewing. The Asiatic Lions are comparatively smaller than their African cousins. While tigers and lions don’t co-exist, the park has a healthy population of Leopards. With an extra streak of luck, the rare striped Hyena could be ticked off your list.
Though there are numerous lodges and hotels in Gir, we at The Wildside have partnered with a few lodges in Gir offering top-notch services to our guests. From being located close to the park to having good facilities, our selection of lodges in Gir stands out from the rest. It is the ideal retreat to retire after a long day of safaris in the park. The lodge’s kitchens bring to the table some of the most delicious dishes from the North Indian and Continental cuisine as well. All rooms are air-conditioned with ensuite facilities and some even offer spectacular views of the surrounding forests.
Day 1
Arrival in Rajkot & Check-in
Gir is conveniently located and accessible by a short drive from Rajkot, Porbandar, Diu, and Jamnagar Airports. Rajkot offers the best air connectivity and planning on arriving and departing from there is advisable.
On arrival, meet a representative at the exit gate of the airport and drive to the Lodge. Check-in and lunch is served.
Post lunch, it is safari time in Gir. The safari gypsys would pick you up and on reaching the interpretation centre, permits are verified and proceed to the gate for entry. Spend 3.5 hours on safari before returning to the lodge.
Post lunch, it is safari time in Gir. The safari gypsys would pick you up and on reaching the interpretation centre, permits are verified and proceed to the gate for entry. Spend 3.5 hours on safari before returning to the lodge.
Day 2-3
Morning and afternoon safaris
Over the next 2 days, you will have the opportunity for a morning and afternoon safari to look for Birds, Lions, leopards, Hyenas, Jackals, and other wildlife.
For each safari, it is necessary to go to the interpretation center for the verification of permits.
Day 4
Morning safari and airport transfer
On the last day, you will have the final opportunity to spend time with the King of the Jungle. After the safari and breakfast, a taxi will be arranged for your transfer to the airport/railway station of your choice or to an onward destination.
Gir is well connected with a number of airports in the Southern Part of Gujarat. Rajkot, located about 3 hours away from the park has the maximum frequency of domestic flights connecting India’s metro cities. The other airports include Diu, Porbandar and Jamnagar. Ahmedabad (AMD) is the nearest International Airport to Gir National Park.
Gir National Park remains open from October to June and remains closed from July to September due to the monsoon. The park is dense and green when the doors open in Oct0ber. As February draws to an end, the park is dry with increased visibility thus providing a higher possibility of Wildlife Sightings. The summer months of April, May and June are excellent for wildlife viewing as the heat draws all the animals to the remaining pools of water.
