Gir National Park — location and key facts
Gir National Park is the only place in the world where Asiatic lions survive in the wild. The forest ecosystem has been central to saving the Asiatic lion from the threshold of extinction to the current population of over 600. The landscape combines rolling hills, rivers originating from the Gir hills, deciduous forest, and open scrubland.
When is Gir National Park open
• Open: October 16 to June 15 — safari operations active
• Closed: June 16 to October 15, coinciding with the monsoon
Wildlife in Gir National Park
Gir is the sole surviving habitat of the Asiatic lion in the wild, with over 600 individuals distributed across the Gir landscape.
Asiatic lions in Gir National Park
Gir is the sole surviving habitat of the Asiatic lion in the wild. Over 600 individuals are distributed across the Gir landscape — a population recovered from near-extinction through decades of conservation inside this forest ecosystem.
Other mammals and birds in Gir National Park
Sambar, spotted deer (chital), nilgai, chinkara (Indian gazelle), and four-horned antelope are present throughout the park. Over 300 bird species have been recorded, including the endangered Indian vulture, Bonelli's eagle, and a diverse assemblage of waterbirds.
Safari areas in Gir National Park
Gir does not operate a numbered zone system. Safari gypsies travel on designated wilderness tracks within the national park from the Sasan-Gir reception center. All safaris depart from and return to the Sasan-Gir reception center — the safari vehicle follows a prescribed route and time limit within the forest.
Devalia Safari Park is a separate facility, not a Gir National Park safari area
Devalia Safari Park, also called the Gir Interpretation Zone, is a fenced area located near Sasan-Gir — administratively separate from Gir National Park itself.
It was created by the Gujarat Forest Department to reduce visitor pressure on the main park and to give travelers who cannot secure a Gir National Park permit a near-guaranteed lion sighting in a shorter, controlled visit.
A Devalia safari is shorter than a Gir National Park safari and runs through a fenced enclosure rather than the open core forest. Devalia is booked and reached separately from Gir National Park.
Safari types and permits at Gir National Park
Safari timings at Gir National Park
Three safari sessions operate daily — morning, mid-morning, and evening. All sessions depart from the Sasan-Gir reception center. Report at the Gir reception center at least 45 minutes before your departure time.
Oct 16 – Feb 28/29
Morning safari: 6:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Mid-morning safari: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Evening safari: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Mar 1 – Jun 15
Morning safari: 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Mid-morning safari: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Evening safari: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Safari vehicle at Gir National Park
Open gypsies are the only safari vehicle operating in Gir National Park. All gypsies are locally available at the Gir reception center — no advance vehicle booking is required separately from the permit. A maximum of six visitors plus one child between 3–12 years are permitted per gypsy.
A trained eco-guide accompanies every safari — mandatory.
How to book a Gir National Park safari permit
All safari permits are booked through the official Gujarat Forest Department portal. There is no authorized alternative.
• Official Booking Portal: girlion.gujarat.gov.in
• Foreign National ID: Valid passport required at booking and at the reception center on safari day.
• Permit validity: One permit can cover up to 6 visitors plus one child (3–12 years).
Gir National Park safari permit charges
Fees below are permit charges per session.
Monday to Friday
₹7,600 (up to 6 persons)
₹1,900 — extra child (3–12 years)
Saturday / Sunday / Festival Days
₹9,500 (up to 6 persons)
₹2,375 — extra child (3–12 years)
Permit fees do not include guide charges or safari vehicle charges — both are paid separately at the reception center on safari day. The camera fee for amateur photography is ₹200 per camera (paid online).
Guide charges at Gir National Park
Guide or naturalist charges are paid separately at the Gir reception center on safari day — not included in the online permit fee.
Naturalist
₹700 — possesses undergraduate degree in Zoology, Botany, or Wildlife Biology. Fluent in English.
Guide G1
₹500 — 12th pass. Better knowledge of Gir landscape, flora, and fauna. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Gujarati.
Guide G2
₹400 — 10th pass. Good knowledge of Gir flora and fauna. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Gujarati.
Safari vehicle charges at Gir National Park
Safari vehicle charges are paid separately at the Gir reception center on safari day — not included in the online permit fee. All vehicles are with cushioned seating and binoculars provided.
• 4-Seater Gypsy: ₹2,500
• 6-Seater Gypsy: ₹3,500
• 8-Seater Gypsy: ₹4,500
Guide and safari vehicle charges are distributed equally among all travelers present in the vehicle on the day of safari.
All fees and charges listed on this page are applicable to foreign nationals only.
Safari rules at Gir National Park
Safari conduct rules at Gir are enforced by the eco-guide assigned to every vehicle and apply to all visitors regardless of nationality.
• Wear earth-toned, neutral colors — khaki, olive, brown, or grey. White, red, and bright colors are not permitted inside the park.
• Silence is mandatory on safari. No music, shouting, or sounds that disturb wildlife.
• Plastic and plastic items are prohibited in the forest area.
• Do not alight from the vehicle at any time during the safari.
• Smoking, alcohol, weapons, explosives, and pets are not permitted inside the park.
• Do not feed, tease, or disturb wildlife. Allow animals the right of way.
• Do not collect or remove any plant material — cuttings, seeds, or roots.
Photography rules at Gir National Park
Photography is permitted without disturbing wildlife. No flash photography. No spotlights or searchlights.
How to reach Gir National Park
Sasan-Gir is the access town for Gir National Park — the reception center is located in Sasan-Gir village. Whether arriving or departing, use the station codes and transport information below.
Gir National Park Access Town — Sasan-Gir
Rail Stations: Junagadh Junction (JND) — 60 km | Veraval (VRL) — 45 km
Airport: Nearest airport is Keshod Airport (IXK) — approx. 60 km
Bus Terminals: Sasan-Gir Bus Stand
Travel to Junagadh (JND) or Veraval (VRL) by train and hire a taxi to Sasan-Gir. If flying, Keshod Airport (IXK) at approx. 60 km is the nearest — travel onward to Sasan-Gir by taxi from Keshod. No direct bus services connect major cities to Sasan-Gir.
Frequently Asked Questions — Gir National Park
Gir National Park is the open core forest where Asiatic lions live wild, with safaris booked through girlion.gujarat.gov.in. Devalia Safari Park, also called the Gir Interpretation Zone, is a separate, smaller, fenced facility created as an alternative when Gir permits are unavailable, offering a shorter visit with a higher chance of a guaranteed sighting. The two are booked and reached separately.
All safari permits are booked through the official Gujarat Forest Department portal at girlion.gujarat.gov.in. There is no authorized alternative booking method. A valid passport is required at booking and again at the reception center on safari day for foreign nationals.
Gir's Asiatic lion population is currently estimated at over 600 individuals, recovered from near-extinction through decades of conservation. Gir is the only place in the world where Asiatic lions survive in the wild.
No. Unlike many Indian tiger reserves, Gir does not operate a numbered zone system. Safari gypsies travel on designated wilderness tracks from the single Sasan-Gir reception center, which all safaris depart from and return to.
No. The online permit fee covers only the booking itself. Guide charges (₹400-₹700 depending on category) and safari vehicle charges (₹2,500-₹4,500 depending on gypsy size) are paid separately at the Gir reception center on safari day and are shared equally among all travelers in the vehicle.
No. Gir is closed from June 16 to October 15 each year, coinciding with the monsoon. The park reopens for the safari season on October 16 and remains open through June 15.
Total cost combines three separate charges: the permit fee (₹7,440 weekday or ₹9,300 weekend/festival for up to 6 persons), the guide charge (₹400-₹700), and the vehicle charge (₹2,500-₹4,500 depending on gypsy size). Guide and vehicle charges are split equally among all travelers in the gypsy.
Sasan-Gir is the access town. Junagadh Junction (JND) is 60 km away and Veraval (VRL) is 45 km away by rail. The nearest airport is Keshod (IXK), approx. 60 km from Sasan-Gir. No direct bus services connect major cities to Sasan-Gir — travel to Junagadh or Veraval by train, or fly into Keshod, then hire a taxi onward.
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