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NATURE · GIR RESERVOIRKamleshwar Dam
The great reservoir at the heart of Gir — the 'lifeline of Gir' — where crocodiles bask, lions and deer come to drink, and waterbirds throng the shores.
The water-heart of the forest
Deep inside Gir National Park lies the Kamleshwar Dam, the largest reservoir in the sanctuary and so vital to its ecosystem that it is called the ‘lifeline of Gir’. Its wide waters and marshy shores are a magnet for wildlife: large numbers of marsh crocodiles (muggers) bask along its banks and float in its shallows, while lions, leopards, deer, nilgai and wild boar come down to drink, and pelicans, storks, ducks and other waterbirds crowd the reservoir, especially in winter.
Glimpsed on a Gir safari, the dam is one of the most rewarding stops in the park — a place where the forest’s drama gathers around the water. Its calm expanse, ringed by wooded hills and teeming with life, is a striking and beautiful counterpoint to the dry forest all around.
The Kamleshwar reservoir at dusk.
From a riverside experiment to the road to freedom
The reservoir, ringed by Gir.
A dam is raised within the Gir forest to hold water.
Its reservoir becomes vital to the sanctuary's wildlife.
Marsh crocodiles thrive along its shores.
A key wildlife stop on Gir safaris.
Reasons to make the time
Crocodiles
Muggers bask along the banks.
Lifeline of Gir
The forest's vital water.
Animals drinking
Lions and deer at the water.
Waterbirds
Pelicans, storks and ducks.
Scenic reservoir
Calm water ringed by hills.
On safari
A highlight of the route.
What to look for inside
Kamleshwar
The lifeline of Gir.
Crocs & birds
Life around the water.
How to spend an hour or two
Reach it on safari
The dam lies on Gir routes.
Watch for crocs
Muggers bask on the banks.
Scan the water
Birds and animals at the edge.
Catch the light
Dusk over the reservoir.
Bring binoculars
For distant wildlife.
Respect the wild
Stay in the vehicle; keep quiet.
A reservoir alive with wildlife.
Water in the dry forest
Kamleshwar is an earthen-and-masonry dam impounding a broad reservoir within the heart of Gir. Its open water and marshy fringes create a habitat quite different from the surrounding dry teak forest, drawing crocodiles, waterbirds and thirsty mammals to its shores.
The ‘structure’ that matters is ecological: by holding water through the dry months, the dam sustains the whole sanctuary — earning its name as the lifeline of Gir — while offering visitors on safari one of the park’s most wildlife-rich and scenic stops.
Largest reservoir in Gir
Marsh-crocodile habitat
Waterbird congregations
On the safari routes
When to go
Cool and clear — the best season for Gir and the coast.
Lush, but Gir's core largely closes.
Hot, but the best season for Gir wildlife sightings.
⏰ Visit on a winter safari toward dusk, when crocodiles and animals gather at the water; carry binoculars.
Timings & entry
- Reached only on a Gir safari
- Best in winter, toward dusk
- Stay in the vehicle at all times
- Carry binoculars and a zoom lens
- Access is on a permit-controlled safari
- No independent entry
- Do not disturb the crocodiles or birds
- Follow your guide's instructions
Getting there
By Air
Diu and Rajkot are the nearest airports.
By Rail
Sasan Gir / Junagadh, then safari.
On Safari
Within Gir, reached on the safari circuit from Sasan.
At the dam
WATER & WILD
Crocodiles, birds and a still reservoir
What to shoot
Crocodiles basking on the banks.
Birds
Pelicans and storks on the water.
Best light
Dusk over the reservoir.
Reach
A long lens from the safari vehicle.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Hiran River
The lifeline river of the lion forest
Triveni Sangam
Where three rivers meet the Arabian Sea
Bhalka Tirth
Where Krishna is said to have left his body
Devalia Safari Park
A fenced zone for reliable lion sightings
Veraval Harbour
◐ Dusk · fishing boats
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 the temples.
Pure-veg & Kesar
Pilgrim-town veg fare; Gir Kesar mangoes in summer.
Kamleshwar Dam FAQ
What is Kamleshwar Dam?
The largest reservoir inside Gir National Park, called the 'lifeline of Gir'.
Why is it important?
It holds water that sustains the whole sanctuary's wildlife.
What can I see there?
Marsh crocodiles, waterbirds, and animals coming to drink.
How do I visit?
Only on a permit-controlled Gir safari — there's no independent entry.
When is the best time?
Winter, toward dusk.
What should I bring?
Binoculars and a long lens; stay in the vehicle.
Are there really crocodiles?
Yes — large numbers of marsh crocodiles (muggers).
What's nearby?
The Gir core zone and the Devalia safari park.
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