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WILDLIFE · ASIATIC LIONGir National Park
The last refuge of the wild Asiatic lion — a vast forest of teak and acacia where the king of the jungle still roams, with leopards, deer and 300+ birds.
Where the lion still rules
Gir is one of the great conservation success stories of the world — the only place on earth where the majestic Asiatic lion still survives in the wild. Once hunted to the very brink, the lions were saved by the Nawab of Junagadh, and now several hundred range across this rugged sanctuary of dry teak forest, acacia scrub, rivers and grassland.
A jeep safari through Gir offers the thrill of tracking lions in their natural home, but the park teems with far more: leopards, striped hyenas, jackals, chital and sambar deer, nilgai, crocodiles in its rivers, and over 300 species of birds. The Devalia Interpretation Zone offers a quicker, near-guaranteed glimpse for those short on time.
Wild, sun-baked and gloriously alive, Gir is an unmissable encounter with India’s natural heritage — the wild heart of Saurashtra.
Asiatic lions resting in Gir.
From a riverside experiment to the road to freedom
A chital stag in the Gir forest.
Hunting reduces the Asiatic lion to a few dozen.
The Nawab of Junagadh bans lion hunting.
Gir is declared a sanctuary and national park.
A thriving population of several hundred lions.
Reasons to make the time
Asiatic lions
The only wild population on earth.
Jeep safari
Track wildlife through the forest.
Leopards & more
Hyenas, deer, nilgai and jackals.
300+ birds
A birder's paradise.
Crocodiles
In the park's rivers and dams.
Conservation
A global success story.
What to look for inside
Asiatic lions
The park's famous pride.
Chital & sambar
Abundant grazing herds.
How to spend an hour or two
Book a permit
Reserve a jeep safari via the official portal.
Go at dawn
Early safaris are best for lions.
Track the lions
Follow your guide through the zones.
Spot the others
Leopards, deer, birds and crocs.
Try Devalia
A quicker, near-sure wildlife glimpse.
Respect the wild
Keep quiet and keep your distance.
The dry deciduous Gir forest.
A forest of teak and lions
Gir is a mosaic of dry deciduous teak forest, thorny acacia scrub, open grassland (vidis), rivers and reservoirs, spread over some 1,400 square kilometres of rugged Saurashtra. This varied habitat is what supports such a wealth of wildlife, from the apex Asiatic lion down to its prey and the birds of the canopy.
Visitor access is by permit-controlled jeep safari through designated routes and zones from the Sasan Gir gate, with the separate Devalia Interpretation Zone offering a fenced, bus/jeep tour for a quicker encounter. The forest, not architecture, is the wonder here.
Dry teak & acacia forest
Rivers and reservoirs
Permit-controlled safari zones
Devalia Interpretation Zone
When to go
Cool and clear — ideal for Somnath and Gir safaris.
Lush, but Gir closes (mid-Jun to mid-Oct).
Hot, but the best season for lion sightings in Gir.
⏰ Book safari permits well ahead via the official forest portal; December–March is ideal, summer best for sightings.
Timings & entry
- Safaris run in morning and afternoon slots
- Park closed mid-June to mid-October (monsoon)
- Permits and a guide are mandatory
- Allow a half day per safari
- Book jeep permits via the official portal
- A registered guide accompanies each jeep
- This is NOT a booking site — book officially
- Carry ID matching your permit
Getting there
By Air
Diu (~75 km), Rajkot and Keshod airports.
By Rail
Sasan Gir and Junagadh stations serve the park.
By Road
Sasan Gir is ~45 km from Somnath, ~60 km from Junagadh.
On safari
LION & FOREST
The wild Asiatic lion in its home
What to shoot
Lions and the forest at dawn light.
Wildlife
Leopards, deer and birds.
Reach
A long lens for distant cats.
Etiquette
Quiet, no flash, keep your distance.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Suraj Mandir
An ancient sun temple at Prabhas Patan
Triveni Sangam
Where three rivers meet the Arabian Sea
Prabhas Patan
An ancient holy town with a fine museum
Bhalka Tirth
Where Krishna is said to have left his body
Ahmadpur-Mandvi Beach
A long, clean beach near Diu
Gita Mandir
A riverside temple near Somnath
Where to eat around the ashram
Kathiawadi Thali
Rotla, kadhi, shaak and ghee-rich fare.
Ganthiya & fafda
Saurashtra's beloved fried snacks.
Temple-town bites
Sweets and snacks near Somnath.
Pure-veg & Kesar
Pilgrim-town veg fare; Gir Kesar mangoes in summer.
Gir National Park FAQ
What is Gir famous for?
It is the only place on earth where the Asiatic lion survives in the wild.
How do I see the lions?
On a permit-controlled jeep safari from Sasan Gir (book via the official portal).
When is Gir open?
Roughly mid-October to mid-June; it closes for the monsoon.
When is the best time?
December–March for comfort; summer for the best sightings.
What else lives there?
Leopards, hyenas, deer, nilgai, crocodiles and 300+ birds.
What is Devalia?
A fenced interpretation zone offering a quicker, near-guaranteed wildlife tour.
Do I need a permit?
Yes — permits and a guide are mandatory; book officially.
How far is it from Somnath?
About 45 km.
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