Things to do in Sasan Gir National Park

Get ready for a thrilling journey to Sasan Gir National Park. It is the only place to spot Asiatic lions in large numbers. This thrilling National Park is located near the Talatar Gir in Gujarat state. It is home to lions since 1965. Spot some other animals here like- Chital, Sambar, Chinkara, Blackbuck, Leopard, Jungle Cat, Langur, striped hyena, wild boar, grey musk shrews, marsh crocodiles, Russell’s viper, Indian rock python and monitor lizard. Gir National Park holds around 300 species of birds of which many can be seen year-round- Malabar whistling thrush, Paradise flycatcher, crested serpent eagle, and King vulture.

This Gir National Park has a forest rest house that is the major center of this National Park. Enjoy Jungle safari here that truly is a surreal experience. It is surely fun and exciting to stare at the wild ferocious big cats during your safari. The Gir Interpretation Zone is renowned to be the best place for Lion Safari as the density of the Lion population is the most in this zone. The safari is taken twice a day one in the morning and one in the evening. The jeep accommodates only six people at a time. Another exciting thing to do is to indulge in bird watching. It is a paradise for bird watchers as one can spot the rare species of birds here. The months of December and January are considered best for bird watching as several migratory birds come to India – Pygmy, Woodpecker, Bonneli’s Eagle, and Flamingo. Avoid a trip from mid-June to mid-October as the Gir Trail safari remains closed during this time.

Where to stay in Sasan Gir National Park

Sasan Gir National Park has several options for accommodation in its proximity. Several resorts offer incredible staying experience. Some to include are- Fern Gir forest and Sukhsagar Gir resort. The resorts here are quite affordable.

How to reach Sasan Gir National Park

Air

The nearest airport is the Keshod that lies about 85 km away from Gir. The second nearest airport is the Rajkot that is around 140km away from Gir. One can hire a taxi or avail bus service to reach Gir from Keshod.  

Rail

The nearest railway station to Gir National Park is the Junagadh that is 80kms away and Veraval that is 72kms away. Rajkot railway station is another nearest railway station that is 165kms from the Gir forest. The railway station operates trains to all the prominent cities of India.    

Road

Several buses ply from various major starting points to Gir National Park. Some of the most convenient routes to reach the park are via Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Rajkot, and Jetpur.

Distance from Major cities

Distance from Delhi- 1280.8km

Distance from Ahmedabad- 348.8km

Distance from Rajkot- 160.7km

Distance from Jetpur- 99.6km

Best time to visit Sasan Gir National Park

The perfect time to explore Sasan Gir National Park is between December to March as the weather is pleasant. Safari during this time is a delightful experience.

Summer

The months from April to June are the summer months with the maximum temperature hovers around 42°C. The weather remains hot and humid during this season. Avoid this season for exploring the national park.

Monsoon

June till October is witnessed with the monsoon season. The park remains closed every 16th June to 15th October. Avoid this season as it is not possible for safari as the whole place gets muddy and marshy. 

Winter

The months from November to February are considered to be the winter months and the weather is quite cold during this season. The temperature at this particular season ranges between 10°C to 22°C. it is indeed the best time to spot a variety of animals and birds during the safari.