Gir
Last Home of the Asiatic Lion
Overview
Gir, or Sasan Gir, is a national park and wildlife sanctuary in the Junagadh district of Gujarat, the last wild refuge of the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica). Protected as a sanctuary since 1965, its dry teak and acacia forest is the only place on earth where these lions survive in the wild, alongside leopards, chital, sambar, nilgai, marsh crocodiles, and over 300 bird species. Access is by permit-based jeep safari from Sasan Gir, and the park closes through the monsoon, roughly mid-June to mid-October. MyTripMyTravel runs Gir as a conservation-grade wildlife leg, naturalist-led safaris, permit and gate logistics, and forest-lodge stays.
Gir is a genuine conservation success story and one of India's most meaningful wildlife destinations. By the early 20th century the Asiatic lion had been hunted to a few dozen individuals surviving only here, in the forests of the Nawab of Junagadh. Protection since 1965 has brought the population back into the hundreds, and Gir remains the single place on the planet where you can see these lions in the wild.
The park is dry deciduous teak and acacia forest cut by rivers and reservoirs, and it is far more than lions. Leopards, striped hyena, jackal, chital, sambar, nilgai, and four-horned antelope share it, along with marsh crocodiles at the Kamleshwar Dam and more than three hundred bird species. The Maldhari pastoralist communities have grazed their cattle inside these forests for generations, living alongside the predators in a rare human-wildlife balance.
MyTripMyTravel runs Gir with conservation discipline. Safaris are permit-controlled and limited, so we secure gate permits and pair guests with strong naturalists, base them in quality forest lodges, and time drives to the light and the lions' movements. We are honest that this is wild sighting, not a guarantee, and that the park closes entirely through the monsoon.
At a glance
Gir in brief
When to visit
December to March
The park is open roughly from mid-October to mid-June and closed through the monsoon for breeding. December to March offers the most comfortable weather and reliable sightings, with pleasant mornings for the dawn safari. April to mid-June is very hot but often the best time for sightings, as thinning cover and scarce water draw animals to predictable points. Safaris run in fixed morning and afternoon slots, and permits are limited, we book well ahead.
Things to do
Experiences in Gir
Lion safari (Gir jungle trail)
A permit-controlled jeep safari through the core zone in search of the wild Asiatic lion at dawn or dusk.
Devalia Interpretation Zone
A fenced safari park near Sasan Gir offering a shorter, higher-probability wildlife viewing option.
Kamleshwar Dam
The reservoir inside the park where marsh crocodiles bask and waterbirds and raptors gather.
Birdwatching
Over 300 species including the crested serpent eagle, Indian pitta, and painted stork across the forest.
Maldhari culture
Insight into the pastoralist communities who have coexisted with the lions inside Gir for generations.
Somnath temple
The revered coastal Shiva temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, about 45 km south of the park.
Getting there
How to reach Gir
The nearest airports are Diu (DIU) around 110 km, Keshod (IXK), and Rajkot (RAJ); we manage fleet handover and the road transfer to Sasan Gir.
Junagadh and Veraval are the main railheads, with a small station at Sasan Gir itself; we handle all transfers.
Sasan Gir sits about 340 km southwest of Ahmedabad; the drive links naturally with the wider Saurashtra and Rann circuit.
Our chauffeured, GPS-tracked vehicles run the Ahmedabad to Gir route and connect onward to Somnath and Dwarka.
Where to stay
Premium wildlife lodges near the Sasan Gir gate with naturalists on staff and early-safari logistics.
Design-led eco-resorts set in mango orchards and forest buffer, blending comfort with the wild setting.
Quiet boutique farm stays for a slower, low-density base close to the park perimeter.
Where to eat
The robust Saurashtra regional thali, bajra rotla, ringan olo, and garlic chutney, served at the lodge.
Farm-to-table meals and open-air dinners built around local, seasonal Gujarati produce.
Regional specialities such as sev tameta nu shaak and lasan chutney, sampled with a guide.
Ready to book
Itineraries featuring Gir
Private, chauffeured, day-by-day journeys that feature Gir or explore the wider West India, each fully customisable, or built around your dates.
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Good to know
Gir, your questions
Is Gir the only place to see Asiatic lions?
Yes. Gir and its surrounding landscape in Gujarat hold the world's only wild population of the Asiatic lion, which is why it is a bucket-list wildlife destination. We build itineraries around maximising safari time here.
Are lion sightings guaranteed?
No responsible operator can guarantee wild sightings, but Gir has a healthy, growing lion population and sighting rates are high, especially across two or three safaris. We pair guests with the best naturalists to improve the odds.
When is the park open?
Roughly mid-October to mid-June. Gir closes through the monsoon, about mid-June to mid-October, for breeding, so we plan visits within the open season, ideally December to March.
How many safaris should I plan?
We recommend a two-night stay with two or three safaris, mixing the core jungle trail with the Devalia zone, which raises both sighting chances and the variety of wildlife seen.
How do I reach Gir?
The nearest airports are Diu, Keshod, and Rajkot, with Junagadh and Veraval as railheads and a small station at Sasan Gir. We handle the handover and road transfer, and can combine it with Somnath and Dwarka.
What is the Devalia zone?
The Devalia Interpretation Zone is a fenced section near Sasan Gir with a dense wildlife population, offering a shorter, higher-probability viewing option that complements a full core-zone safari.
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Tell us your dates and what you love. Our travel desk builds a private, chauffeured itinerary around Gir and the wider West India, with handpicked hotels and a transparent quote, usually within a few hours.
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