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WILDLIFE · EASTERN GIRAmbardi Safari Park
An open-air lion safari on the eastern edge of Gir near Dhari — Amreli's window onto the wild Asiatic lion, with deer, antelope and the dry Saurashtra forest.
Lions on the eastern frontier
On the eastern fringe of the Gir forest, near the town of Dhari in Amreli, lies the Ambardi Safari Park — a wonderful, less-crowded place to encounter the Asiatic lion. Set in the Shetrunji river country where forest meets farmland, this safari zone offers guided vehicle tours through a stretch of Gir habitat, where lions, leopards, spotted deer, nilgai and other wildlife can be seen.
Because eastern Gir’s lions increasingly range out of the core sanctuary into the Amreli countryside, this region has become an important second home for the big cats, and Ambardi is its accessible showcase. Quieter than the famous Sasan gate far to the west, it is ideal for travellers based around Amreli or Dhari who want a reliable, relaxed wildlife experience. (Booking is via the official forest portal.)
An Asiatic lion in the Gir landscape.
When Gir's lions moved east
Dry forest on the edge of Gir.
Gir's lion population recovered enough through the twentieth century that the cats began ranging east out of the core sanctuary into the Amreli countryside.
They now live alongside farming villages across the Dhari region, moving between forest patches, riverbeds and cultivated land in a way that has few parallels anywhere.
Ambardi was opened as a safari park to give visitors access to this eastern population without adding pressure to the Sasan gate far to the west.
It has become the accessible showcase for eastern Gir — guided vehicle tours through a stretch of genuine Gir habitat.
Reasons to make the time
Asiatic lions
The eastern-Gir lions are the draw, and sighting rates here are good because the enclosure area is manageable.
Less crowded
It is far quieter than Sasan, where permits sell out and vehicles queue; Ambardi rarely feels crowded.
Eastern Gir
The habitat is the transition zone where dry forest gives way to farmland — the landscape the eastern lions actually use.
Guided tour
Drives are unhurried and guided, and better suited to families than the more competitive Sasan safaris.
Deer & nilgai
Chital, nilgai, sambar and wild boar are plentiful, and they are what the lions are here for.
Near Dhari
Amreli and Dhari are both close, making this an easy half-day rather than an expedition.
What to look for inside
LIONSAsiatic lions
The eastern-Gir cats.
DEERChital & nilgai
The forest's grazers.
LIONSThe hunting pride
Watch for lions resting in the shade of the dry forest.
WILDLIFENilgai & antelope
Plentiful grazers move through forest and farmland.
LEOPARDSElusive cats
Leopards share this stretch of eastern Gir.
FORESTDry Gir scrub
The dry deciduous habitat that frames every sighting.
How to spend an hour or two
Get a ticket
Book through the official forest department channel rather than a tout; permits are limited and allocated per slot.
Go at dawn
Take the early-morning drive if you can — lions are active at first light and rest through the middle of the day.
Track the lions
Watch the grazers as much as the cats; chital and nilgai numbers tell you where the lions will be.
Spot the others
Ask your guide about the eastern-Gir story — lions living beside farms is genuinely unusual conservation.
Enjoy the calm
Pair it with Amreli town and the Shetrunji river country for a full day in the district.
Pair with Dhari
Come between November and February; the park closes for part of the monsoon.
The dry Gir forest near Dhari.
Gir habitat on the eastern edge
Ambardi is a managed eastern-Gir safari zone — a stretch of the dry deciduous forest and scrub characteristic of Gir, set near Dhari and the Shetrunji river, with a controlled route for guided vehicles.
It offers the wildlife of Gir in a quieter, more accessible setting than the crowded western core. The draw is the living forest and its lions, not architecture — a relaxed window onto the Asiatic lion’s expanding eastern range across Amreli.
It is one of many — our guide to wildlife across Gujarat covers the rest.
Eastern-Gir dry forest
Guided vehicle safari
Near Dhari & the Shetrunji
Quieter than Sasan Gir
When to go
November to February is the best window — comfortable drives and good visibility in the dry forest.
The park generally closes through the monsoon breeding season; check before travelling in June to September.
March to May is hot but can be excellent for sightings, with animals concentrated around the remaining water.
⏰ Book the safari ahead via the official portal; December–March is most comfortable, summer best for sightings.
Timings & entry
- Guided tours run in set slots
- Often closed on a weekly off-day
- Mornings are best for wildlife
- Allow 1–2 hours
- Book the safari via the official portal
- A guide accompanies each tour
- This is NOT a booking site — book officially
- Carry ID as required
Getting there
By Air
Rajkot and Diu are the nearest airports.
By Rail
Amreli and Dhari are the nearest stations.
By Road
Near Dhari, ~45 km south of Amreli.
On safari
LION & FOREST
The Asiatic lion in eastern Gir
What to shoot
Lions in the morning light.
Wildlife
Deer and nilgai.
Reach
A zoom lens from the vehicle.
Etiquette
Quiet, no flash, keep distance.
Know before you go
More to see close by
TEMPLEKamnath Mahadev
A revered Shiva shrine near Veraval
FORT & COASTJafrabad
An old fort guarding a fishing coast
Shetrunji Dam
A large reservoir on the Shetrunji river near Dhari — a tranquil expanse of water amid…
FORESTKhambha
A forest-edge town near eastern Gir
Gir East & Dhari
The wild eastern flank of Gir around Dhari — open forest, farmland and riverbeds where Asiatic…
5Lathi & Kalapi
Trace the romantic poet’s gentle hometown
Where to eat near Ambardi Safari Park
THALIKathiawadi Thali
Rotla, kadhi, shaak and ghee-rich fare.
SNACKSGanthiya & fafda
Saurashtra's beloved fried snacks.
STREETLocal bites
Bhajiya, chevdo and chaat.
Pure-veg & ghee
Hearty Kathiawadi veg fare; jaggery sweets.
Ambardi Safari Park FAQ
What is Ambardi Safari Park?
An eastern-Gir lion safari near Dhari in Amreli, quieter than the Sasan gate.
Will I see lions?
It offers reliable Asiatic-lion sightings in the eastern Gir landscape.
How do I book?
Book the safari via the official forest portal — this is an information guide, not a booking service.
What else lives there?
Leopards, spotted deer, nilgai and other Gir wildlife.
When is the best time?
December–March for comfort; summer for the best sightings.
Where is it?
Near Dhari, about 45 km south of Amreli town.
Is it crowded?
Much less than Sasan Gir — a relaxed alternative.
Why are lions in Amreli?
Gir's lions have expanded their range eastward into the district.
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Published 25 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026