Gir National Park

Besides Africa, Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only place in the world where you can spot lions roaming free in the wild. The real discovery channel of India is situated approximately 65 km southeast of Junagarh District. The Government notified the large geographical extent of Sasan Gir as a wildlife sanctuary on 18th September 1965 to conserve the Asiatic Lion. It covers a total area of 1412 square kilometers of which 258 Km forms the core area of the National Park.

Indiscriminate hunting by the people of Junagarh led to their decrease in population drastically, while they were completely wiped out from the other parts of Asia. It was the kind effort of Nawabs of Junagarh who protected the queen royalty in his private hunting grounds. Later in due course of time, Department of Forest Officials came forward to protect the world’s most threatened species.

At present, the Gir forests of Gujarat (India) are the only place where this race of lions i.e. Asiatic lion is found in its natural habitat.

Unlike the other big cats, the lion is tolerant of the presence of human beings and it even lives near human settlements. During the last century of British rule, the lion population touched an all-time low of 20 in 1913. The serious conservation efforts by the then Nawab of Junagadh saved the species from the brink of extinction. The subsequent efforts by the Forest Department have successfully brought the population to the present respectable status of 523 numbers of these majestic animals.

Devalia Safari Park

The Devalia Safari Park is also known as the Gir Interpretation Zone and was established to reduce the excess of tourists at the Gir National Park. It is an eco-tourism zone, known as ‘Gir in a nutshell’, which houses all the wildlife and habitats of Gir within its boundaries.
Prominent species that can be spotted here include - Blue Bull, Asiatic Lion, Leopard, Sambhar, and Peafowl. The Savana habitat is also a popular attraction here. A tour of Devalia is cheaper, and quicker, and allows tourists to view the animals in their natural habitat.

Morning Timings
Bus - 7:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Gypsy - One-hour ride slots between 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM

Evening Timings
Bus - 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Gypsy - One-hour ride slots between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM

Gir Jungle Trail

Each safari at Gir (Gir Jugle Trail) would last for 3 hours covering a range of sections throughout the forest. Alongside a jeep and a guide, travellers could also take upfront pictures of the majestic Asiatic lions here. However, visitors would have to obtain permission from the Sinh Sadan Forest Lodge Office, which would be furthered by Gir Park itself.
Each safari slot requires at least 5 visitors. A typical safari would traverse through 300 lion species, 200 bird types, 30 different mammals, and 24 kinds of reptiles.

Winter Timings (16th Oct - 28th/29th Feb)
Morning - 6:45 AM - 9:45 AM
Evening - 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Summer Timings (1st Mar - 15th June)
Morning - 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Evening - 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

The Gir Jungle Trail has an annual shutdown between the 16th of June and the 15th of October.