Dry deciduous forest in Saurashtra and the last wild home of the Asiatic lion.
FamousWildlifePilgrimageHeritage
Gir is the only place where Asiatic lions live in the wild, and the 2020 census counted 674 of them. Jeep safaris from Sasan Gir also show leopards, deer, antelope, crocodiles and over 300 bird species. It suits wildlife lovers and families, and pairs well with Somnath and Junagadh.
Trip planner
Plan from your city
Photos
Asiatic lions in Gir Forest National ParkGir National Park, home of the Asiatic lionRailway line running through the Gir forestMugger crocodile near a dam at Sasan GirA lion in the Gir forest
Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.
Best time to go
When
What to expect
16 October to February
Park reopens after the monsoon. Forest is green in October and November; December to February brings cold early mornings and the biggest crowds.
March to 15 June
Hot and dry. Animals gather at water, so sightings tend to be easier, but midday is very hot.
16 June to 15 October
The Gir jungle trail safari is closed for the monsoon. Devalia Safari Park inside the sanctuary stays open except on Wednesdays.
Sights and activities
1
Gir Jungle Trail (jeep safari)
A three-hour gypsy safari on set forest routes, the main way to look for lions and leopards in the wild. A guide is compulsory and permits are limited.
Distance
Starts from the Sinh Sadan reception centre, Sasan Gir
Entry
Permit 800 per vehicle (up to 6 people) Mon-Fri, 1,000 on weekends and festivals; gypsy and guide paid separately
Timings
Winter 6:30-9:30 am, 9 am-12 noon, 3-6 pm; summer 6-9 am, 9 am-12 noon, 4-7 pm; closed 16 June to 15 October
A fenced 412-hectare area inside the sanctuary that shows Gir's habitats in small form. Lions, leopards, deer and vultures are usually seen from a bus or gypsy.
Distance
About 12-13 km west of Sasan Gir
Entry
Bus 150 per person Mon-Fri, 190 on weekends; gypsy permit 800 (1,000 on weekends) for up to 6, plus vehicle and guide 2,000-3,000
Timings
Morning and afternoon slots (winter roughly 7-11 am and 3-6 pm); closed every Wednesday
A forest shrine to the goddess Kankai deep inside Gir, reached by a jeep ride along forest tracks. Prior permission from the forest department is needed.
A seaside Shiva temple counted first among the twelve Jyotirlingas, on the Arabian Sea coast at Prabhas Patan. It is known for its evening aarti and sunset views.
State highways link Sasan Gir to Junagadh, Veraval, Amreli and Una. GSRTC and private buses run from Ahmedabad (about 370 km) to Junagadh, and daytime local buses go on to Sasan Gir from Junagadh and Veraval.
By train
Sasan Gir has a small metre-gauge station on the Junagadh-Delvada and Amreli-Veraval lines. Most travellers use Junagadh (about 60-65 km) or Veraval (about 45 km), which have daily trains from Ahmedabad.
By air
Keshod airport is about 55-60 km away. Diu airport is about 100-110 km (about 2 hours) and Rajkot about 160 km (about 3 hours), with more flights.
Where to base yourself
Sasan Gir village, where the Sinh Sadan reception centre, safari start point and most lodges are.
Getting around
Safari gypsies are hired at the Sinh Sadan reception centre or through lodges; one source gives about 1,700 for the gypsy plus about 400 for the guide per safari, while the official Devalia page lists vehicle and guide at 2,000-3,000.
Solo travellers can often join a shared jeep arranged by lodges or at the reception centre.
A taxi from Veraval to Sasan Gir costs about 1,200-2,500 and takes about an hour.
Local buses run during the day between Sasan Gir, Junagadh and Veraval for about 100-200 per person.
Often combined with
Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.
Forest department Sinh Sadan guest house or simple lodges in Sasan
₹1,800 to ₹3,000
Mid-range
Resorts and jungle lodges around Sasan, often with meals
₹4,500 to ₹8,000
Luxury
Upscale forest resorts such as The Fern, Woods at Sasan or The Postcard
₹8,000 to ₹28,000
Food
Most visitors eat at their lodge, and many resorts include all meals in the room rate. Small local eateries in Sasan serve Gujarati thalis for about 150 a plate.
Try these
Kathiyawadi thali (rotlo, dal-bhat, seasonal sabzi, jaggery and buttermilk)
Bajra rotlo (millet flatbread)
Sev tamatar (tomato curry topped with sev)
Ringan no olo (smoky mashed brinjal)
Vaghareli khichdi (tempered rice and lentils)
Chhaas (spiced buttermilk)
Food in the area is largely vegetarian, and some places such as Gir Kathiyawadi and the Sarovar Portico restaurant are fully vegetarian.
Daily costs
Budget level
Stay per room
Food per person
Local transport
Budget
₹1,800
₹450
₹450 per person
Mid-range
₹5,000
₹1,000
₹2,500 per vehicle
Luxury
₹12,000
₹2,500
₹5,000 per vehicle
Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.
Permits and documents
The jungle safari needs an e-permit from girlion.gujarat.gov.in, bookable up to 45 days ahead and non-refundable; permits are limited and sell out from December to March. Carry a valid photo ID and report at the Sasan reception centre at least 15 minutes early. Visiting Kankai Mata needs forest department permission.
Safety
By day
Generally safe for visitors. Inside the forest, never get out of the vehicle, keep quiet and stay on the set route with your guide.
At night
The village is quiet at night and the forest is lion country; do not walk on forest roads after dark. Spotlights are banned.
Solo women
No specific safety issues were found online; book safaris and transport through the official reception centre or a known lodge.
Roads
State highways from Junagadh and Veraval are paved. Watch for wildlife and livestock on forest-edge roads, and avoid driving after dark.
Emergency numbers
112 (all emergencies), Sasan Gir reception centre for safari problems
Practical
Mobile network
Expect weak signal inside the forest.
ATMs and cash
Carry cash for gypsy, guide and local purchases, or withdraw in Junagadh or Veraval.
Fuel
Fill up in Junagadh or Veraval.
Medical
Junagadh and Veraval are the nearest larger towns.
