Gir National Park -Travel Guide
Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary, one of India’s oldest and most visited wildlife sanctuaries, is the last remaining abode of Asiatic lions. The national park, also known as Sasan Gir, is about 37 miles southeast of Junagadh, a district in Gujarat. The Sasan Gir village serves as the official entrance to the sprawling Gir forest. The park has a total area of 1412 square kilometers, of which 258 square kilometers are the core of the national park and the remaining 1153 square kilometers are the wildlife sanctuary.
How to reach Gir National Park?
By Air - There is no direct flight to Gir. The nearest airport is in Diu, which is 92 kilometers (2 hours drive) from the reserve region. Rajkot, the next closest airport, is approximately 160 kilometers (3.5 hours’ drive) from Gir. Rajkot has direct flights from both Delhi and Mumbai. Diu is not well-connected.
By Rail - Regular trains run from Ahmedabad and Rajkot to Junagadh (65 kilometers from Gir) and Veraval (45 km from Gir). After arriving in Junagadh/Veraval, take a taxi or bus to Sasan Gir. Trains (meter-gauge line) run daily from Junagadh and Veraval to Sasan Gir station, but their timetables may conflict with your jungle safari schedule.
By Road - As previously stated, Gir National Park is 60 kilometers from Junagadh and 360 kilometers from Ahmedabad. From most locations in Gujarat, you can take a bus or a taxi to get to the Sasan Gir region. There are several private and government-owned vehicles that can drop you at the closest access point to the sanctuary. Use Google Maps to find the exact location of Sinh Sadan’s entrance.
What is the best time to visit Gir National Park?
It can get very hot in April and May, but this is the best time for sighting the Asiatic lions. Artificial bodies of water are created throughout the forests to provide animals with easy access to drinking water. This makes it easier for visitors to spot the elusive mammals, but the heat (which can reach 45°) can be oppressive. It is best to visit Gir National Park between November and March when the weather is cool and pleasant. It gets very cold at night in late December and early January. Due to the monsoon season, the park is closed from mid-June to mid-October every year.