Being in the wild and watching the wild in the wilderness are completely different things! Imagine a big cat watching you with its wide open eyes and strong paws. That’s when you know the forest life and its thrill! Sasan Gir National Park is a popular destination to witness the majesty of Asiatic lions. The national park is open to the public and you can easily book your tour here.
Sasan Gir National Park is a massively huge deciduous forest where lions roar in their natural habitat. It is significant to plan your journey considering the weather and time to visit the national park. If you are planning to walk with the wild and capture the grandeur of big cats, the below information is for you!
Sasan Gir National Park: What’s the Hype About?
You sure know how people love to talk about this national park located in Gujarat. The way people describe the royalty of Asiatic lions may seem unreal. But, everything about the hyped conversations is ultimately true! This much-hyped Gir National Park is home to the Asiatic lions which can only be found in Africa. Soaring high in the natural habitat was not possible back then. Let’s understand why!
In the year 1913, the count of lions dropped to 20. The alarming situation caused an urgency to protect this endangered species of the cat family. That’s when the Nawab of Junagadh made serious efforts for the conservation of Asiatic lions.
Along with the forest department of the country, Junagadh was able to save this rare species from the verge of extinction. The hype is all about the much-needed efforts that today you can be lucky to spot this wild beauty.
Gir National Park: Timings, Weather and the Best Time to Visit
You definitely cannot be spotting Asiatic lions just anytime. The national park takes serious care of the health and natural habitat of these animals. Hence, it is important to consider the right time and season to successfully spot lions.
The best time to visit Sasan Gir National Park is from December to February. The winter season in Junagadh invites comfortable weather ranging from 10°C to 23°C. The temperature can even drop making winters more chilled than average. This is the season when Asiatic lions and other animals can roam in the wilderness. Moreover, this season allows you to peacefully go on jeep safari tours and capture Instagram-worthy pictures!
The national park opens at 6:00 AM and closes by 5:00 PM. You need to plan your trip early in the morning to avoid rush during the peak seasons. It is important to note that the national park remains closed from 16th June to 15th October due to the monsoon season.
Drive into the Wild: Safari and More at Gir
The Sasan Gir National Park is more than your imagination. The real thrill is when you go to the deciduous forests and spot the massively well-structured lions. That’s why you need to understand the Gir Safari booking and information.
1. Gir Jungle Safari
The world-famous Gir jungle safari is the one that takes you to meet the Asiatic lions. You might also be lucky to spot a herd of lions during the journey. It is indeed one of the adventurous things to do in Gir as you get to watch the wild closely. Moreover, the forest trail helps you witness the flora and vegetation around.
Gir National Park safari also allows you to gather information about Asiatic lions, their habitat, acquaintance with humans and a lot more. Your experience elevates when you get to spot the king of the jungle in its absolute wilderness!
The timings for the safari are divided into 3 categories:
6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Note that the charges may vary depending on the season and operational capacity of the national park. It is best to check their website or call the authorities for accurate information.
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2. Spotting Animals Beyond Lions!
The Sasan Gir National Park is known for its majestic lions but is that all? Absolutely not! The national park is home to more than 2000 animals enjoying their time in the natural setting. As you take the Jeep safari, make sure to carry your binoculars to spot the other wild animals.
The national park is popular for the presence of Indian leopards, sambar deers, jungle cats, Bengal foxes, striped hyenas and golden jackals. You can simply be lucky to spot these wild animals during your safari!
3. Avifauna in Gir: Is that true?
You have known Gir National Park as the hub for Asiatic lions. However, renowned personalities in the field of nature consider this place to be a haven for birds. There are more than 300 species of birds making it an amazing spot for birdwatchers.
You can witness the gorgeous Pelican Pelecanus crispus, Oriental White-backed Vulture and Indian Skimmer Rynchops. Apart from this, you can also spot a plethora of birds flying in their pride.
4. Slithering Tales of Reptiles
The Sasan Gir National Park is an abode for reptiles due to perfect climatic conditions. Marsh Crocodiles are the rarest reptiles found here. Apart from that, you can also spot Indian Wall Lizard, Red Sand Boa, Flap Shell Turtle and Snakes. Make sure to capture the beautiful details of these reptiles so that you return home with unforgettable memories.
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Decoding the Prices for Sasan Gir National Park
Let’s understand how costs are divided before entering the space.
- You need to pay the permit charges for entering the protected area.
- You need to pay for the vehicle you will be travelling in.
- You need to separately pay for the guide you will be hiring.
Permit charges range from INR 800 to INR 1000 depending on the weekday or weekends. The charges for an extra child might be up to INR 100 for the safari on weekdays and INR 125 on weekends.
Vehicle Charges range from INR 2000 to INR 6000 depending on the number of people and choice of vehicle. The safari is a 3-hour long journey so it is advisable to be prepared for the long distance.
The charges for the guide are INR 700, INR 500 and INR 400 which are a naturalist, a 12th pass guide or a 10th pass guide, respectively.
Important Attractions in Gir
1. Orientation Centre
Want to learn about the conservation efforts and more about the Gir National Park? Go straight to the orientation centre. It is like a small museum that takes you through the history of the national park. You can also spot various statues of wild animals.
Apart from this, the centre is renowned for informative charts and information on birds. The knowledge hub contributes well to the idea of educating visitors in a subtle way
2. Souvenir Shop
Once you have stepped into the land of lions, you cannot go home empty-handed. After all, your friends and family desperately wait for something unique from the trip. To enhance the local culture and art of tribals, Gir National Park has a souvenir shop.
You can find hand-woven clothing, traditional artefacts and decorative items. Moreover, the profit goes to in development and growth of the communities. It is ideal to purchase distinctive keychains or similar handicrafts defining the elegance of this place.
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3. Arboretum and Birding
Gir National Park boasts distinctive flora and an abundance of green trees. An arboretum is created to display the magic of nature in the best possible way. You can walk in the garden and witness the medicinal benefits of trees. You get an opportunity to also learn about flowers, their blooming process and more.
Once you are done watching the garden, don’t forget the photo gallery specifically created to showcase abundant flora. Due to the presence of flowering plants and trees, this point has become a prime spot for birds. Sit by the place and you shall watch many species of avifauna fluttering over the blossoms.
How to Reach Gir?
Gir National Park is located in Junagadh and is very much accessible via different modes of transportation. Let’s understand how!
By Air
Keshod Airport and Rajkot Airport are the nearest airports to the destination. They are approximately 70 kilometres and 160 kilometres respectively. If you are travelling from a foreign destination, the best is to opt for the Mumbai International Airport.
By Railway
Junagadh Railway Station and Veraval Railway Station are the nearest train stations to the national park. You can then take a taxi or rent a car to drive to Sasan Gir. You can also opt for private buses from the railway station to Gir.
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By Roadway
Sasan Gir National Park is well connected through roadways. You can either opt for state-run buses or private buses to reach Junagadh. Once you’ve reached Junagadh, you can then take a cab or rent a car.
Things to Remember Before Visiting the Gir National Park
- Spotting lions purely depends on your luck and the authorities are not responsible if you don’t spot lions. Be prepared for this situation if it arrives.
- You cannot ask the guide to change the routes for spotting lions so that is not a possibility.
- Do not indulge in any act of feeding or making noise that might disturb the natural environment of wild animals.
- The safari timings are strict and you must reach 15 minutes before the booking.
- It is advisable to book online through the government website. This step ensures a happy safari without waiting in long queues.
Gir National Park offers a fusion of experiences as you get to spot the wild, soak in serenity and learn about nature. Get out of your everyday life and do something that brings chills to the body. Go, watch lions, record their roaring and tick off a wild wish from your bucket list!
