Gir National Park in Junagadh
· Summer: March-June (22°C - 33°C)
· Winter: October-January (12°C - 20°C)
· Monsoon: June-September
Best time to visit:
October-March
Opening Time: 06:00 a.m.
Closing Time: 06:00 p.m.
Weekly Holiday:
Entry Fees for Indians
Adults: N/A
Children:
N/A
Cameras: N/A
Video Camera: N/A
Entry Fees for Foreign Nationals
Adults:
N/A
Children:
N/A
Cameras:
N/A
Video Camera:
N/A
The last abode for the truly majestic Asiatic lions, Gir National Park is the place every wildlife enthusiast must explore in a lifetime. Spread over an area of 1.412 km. sq., it was earlier a game reserve for the local rulers, responsible for almost eliminating the huge population of these regal jungle beasts. With untiring efforts, they have been saved from extinction and attract huge flocks of tourists from all corners of the world.
Other attractions at Gir include leopards, sloth bear, golden jackals, desert cats, four-horned antelope, blackbucks, Indian cobra, marsh crocodiles and a huge variety of birds. Dry deciduous forests, evergreen and semi-evergreen vegetations, grasslands and acacia scrubs contribute the flora wealth of the park which is also fed by a number of rivers and streams, thereby creating mesmerizing natural vistas all around.
Safari trips at Gir are organized in jeeps in three shifts starting at 06:30 a.m., 09:00 a.m. and 03:00 p.m. Each group must accompany a tourist guide. The park’s interpretation zone is a must-visit place for guaranteed sightseeing of Asiatic lions. Additional charges must be paid for safari trips, tourist guides and interpretation centre (closed on Wednesday) visit. Amateur photography is free, though charges are applicable for professional camera shooting.
Connectivites
Road:
The park is easily accessibly by well-maintained road from destinations like Junagadh, Veraval, Rajkot and Bhavnagar. It is better to hire a taxi or jeep from these places, though local buses also offer convenient transport options.
Railway:
Railway stations at Sasan Gir (about 50 km. away), Una (about 53 km. away), Somnath (about 70 km. away) and Veraval (about 70 km. away) are the closest rail access points. Hiring taxis and jeeps from each of these places is possible to reach the park.
Airway:
Diu Airport (about 76 km. away), Keshod Airport (about 110 km. away) and Rajkot Airport (about 170 km.) are the options available for the air travellers. From any of these airports, you can easily hire a taxi for further road journey.