Gir National Park

Gir is the heart of the only wild population of Asiatic lions in the world, which now spreads well beyond the park across the Saurashtra peninsula of Gujarat; the forest itself is dry teak and acacia with rocky hills, seasonal rivers and open scrub. The lions here are slightly smaller than African ones, with sparser manes and a distinctive fold of skin along the belly, and live at reasonably high density, so sightings on a permit safari are common rather than exceptional. Leopard, chital, sambar, nilgai, marsh crocodile and a strong list of raptors also use the forest, and Maldhari herding families still keep cattle inside the boundary at a handful of settlements. Drives run on fixed routes morning and afternoon, with a limited number of permits released per slot.

History

In the 19th century the rulers of the princely states invited British guests on hunting expeditions, and by the end of the century only about a dozen Asiatic lions were left in India, all in the Gir Forest, the private hunting ground of the Nawab of Junagarh. The park and sanctuary were established in 1965 in that former hunting area, and the lion population has since grown, to 523 in the census of 2015 (Wikipedia, Gir National Park).

The landscape

• Asiatic lions - the only wild population left, usually found resting in shade or scrub.
• Dry teak forest and scrub - open thorny habitat that makes spotting easier than in jungle parks.
• Marsh crocodiles - basking along the reservoir edge and river pools.
• Maldhari settlements - herder families who still graze cattle inside the forest.

When to go

The park is open from roughly mid-October to mid-June and closes for the monsoon. December to March is the most comfortable, with mild days and clear light. April and May are very hot but animals gather at water and sightings peak. Permits are limited per slot and released online well ahead; without one you will not get in.

What to expect

Permits sell out fast and the online booking system is awkward for foreign visitors. Routes are fixed and drivers move quickly between sightings, so it can feel like a queue rather than a search. Lions are often found lying flat in the shade doing nothing at all. Heat from March onward is severe and the landscape stays dusty and brown for most of the open season.

Nearby

The hill of Girnar and the old town of Junagadh sit a couple of hours north; Diu is on the coast.

Key facts