1 Night 2 Days · Gir Safari
India's Greatest Wildlife Experience
700 Asiatic lions. One forest. Here’s everything you need before you go.
Know Your Options
Two Ways to See Gir
Gir has two safari zones — choose based on what you want from the experience. Most visitors do one of each across their stay.
✦ The Real Experience
Gir Jungle Safari
A permit-based 3-hour jeep safari through Gir’s core forest zone. Wild, open, unscripted — the animals move freely and sightings are never guaranteed.
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3 hoursDuration
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6:00 AM (morning slot)Starts
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Shared jeep · 6 people per vehicleVehicle
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Required · Book only at official govt portalPermit
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₹800–1,200 per person approx.Cost
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Not guaranteed — depends on forest activityLion sighting
This is the main Gir experience. Even if you don't spot a lion, the forest itself — the sambar, the birds, the light through the trees at 6 AM — is worth the morning.
Good Backup / First Timer
Devalia Park Bus/Gypsy Safari
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~1.5 hoursDuration
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Morning & afternoon slotsSlots
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Shared bus OR Open Gypsy (both available)Vehicle
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Ticketed at gate · advance booking needed for GypsyPermit
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Lower than main safariCost
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Every Wednesday — both Gypsy & busClosed
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Near-guaranteedLion sighting
Best for first-time visitors who want to be certain of seeing a lion. The Open Gypsy option gives a more open-air experience closer to the main safari feel. Remains fully closed every Wednesday — plan accordingly.
Permits & Booking
How to Book Your Safari
Main zone permits are mandatory — no walk-in bookings. Book only on the official Gujarat Government portal portal well before you travel. Peak season slots (Nov–Feb) fill up 2–4 weeks in advance.
Beware of Fake Booking Sites & Tour Operators
Many third-party websites and travel agencies pose as official Gir safari portals. Some charge inflated prices, issue fake permits, or simply take your money.Always book directly on the official Gujarat Government website below. If a site or agent is asking you to pay offline or via UPI without a government receipt — walk away.
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Safari Booking
Go to girlion.gujarat.gov.in — the only official Gujarat Government booking portal for Gir safari permits.
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Choose Date & Slot
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Pay & Download Permit
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Arrive 30 Min Early
Share this itinerary with your travel group before you leave
Day by Day Plan
Your Gir Itinerary
Arrive Day 1 afternoon, do Devalia in the evening if time allows, sleep early — the safari starts at 6 AM sharp the next morning.
Day 1 — Arrive & Settle In
Arrive Sasan Gir · Check-in
Nearest railhead is Sasan Gir station (small, limited trains) or Junagadh (45 km, 1 hour). Check in to your jungle lodge. The moment you arrive, confirm your safari permit and ask the lodge to arrange your vehicle and guide for 5:45 AM Next Day.
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Confirm safari permit on arrival
Devalia Park Bus/ Gypsy Safari (Optional)
Note: Devalia remains closed every Wednesday.
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Ticketed at gate
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Near-guaranteed sighting
Dinner at Lodge · Early Rest
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Dinner
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Wake by 5 AM tomorrow
Day 2 — The Safari
Wake Up · Get Ready
Wear muted colours — khaki, olive, grey, brown. No bright red, white, or orange. Closed shoes. Carry water, a light jacket (Gir mornings are cold in winter), binoculars if you have them, and your safari permit. No perfume or strong scents.
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Muted colours only
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Carry permit + ID
Reach Safari Gate
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Gate opens 5:45 AM sharp
Gir Jungle Safari ⭐
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The Main Experience
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Wild Asiatic Lions
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Pre-booked Permit
Return · Breakfast · Check-out
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Breakfast
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Check-out by 11 AM
Crocodile Breeding Centre (Optional)
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Free Entry
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On the way out · 30 min
Depart Sasan Gir
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Junagadh 45 km · Somnath 65 km
On lion sightings: The main zone safari is wild — lions are not guaranteed. On average, most morning safaris do encounter lions, but it's never certain. If seeing a lion is the one non-negotiable of your trip, do Devalia on Day 1 afternoon as your guaranteed sighting, and treat the main safari as the full forest experience on top of that.
🦁 Safari at a Glance
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3 HoursSafari Duration
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5:45 AMMorning Gate Opens
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6:00 AMSafari Starts
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Shared Jeep · 6 PeopleVehicle
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Official Govt Portal onlyBook At
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Oct 16 – Jun 15Season
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16 Jun – Oct 15Park Closed
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Booking for Gypsy · Gate ticketDevalia Park
📅 Safari Season
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Open
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Peak Season
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Closed
⚠️ Park closes fully from June 16 to October 15 every year (monsoon). Plan accordingly — no exceptions.
Book Early — Official Portal Only
Inside the Forest
What to Expect on the Safari
Asiatic Lions
Gir has approximately 700 Asiatic lions — the only wild population outside Africa. They're smaller than African lions, with a distinctive fold of skin along the belly. The morning hours (6–9 AM) are peak activity time. Lions are often spotted near water sources, on open tracks, or resting under trees.
Other Wildlife
Even without a lion sighting, the 3 hours inside Gir are rich. The forest is home to several species beyond the headline attraction.
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Leopard
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Sambar Deer
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Mugger Crocodile
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Striped Hyena
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Langur
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300+ Bird Species
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Indian Porcupine
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Monitor Lizard
The Jeep Experience
Open-sided jeep, 6 people per vehicle, with a trained naturalist guide. You'll cover 20–30 km of forest tracks in 3 hours. The guide reads animal signs, communicates with other vehicles over radio, and positions you for sightings. Follow every instruction — stay seated, no standing, no loud sounds.
The Forest Itself
Gir at 6 AM in winter is one of the most beautiful natural environments in Gujarat — golden light filtering through dry teak and acacia, the sound of birds before the day heats up, the smell of forest soil. First-time safari visitors consistently say the atmosphere surprised them more than the wildlife.
Pack Right
What to Bring
Clothing
- Muted colours only — khaki, olive, grey, brown, beige
- No bright red, white, orange, or neon
- Full sleeves recommended — sun and insects
- Light jacket for winter mornings (Nov–Feb)
- Closed, comfortable walking shoes
Essentials
- Safari permit (printed or digital)
- Government photo ID — mandatory
- Water bottle — 1 litre minimum
- Light snacks — no food stop inside
- Small backpack or waist bag
Gear
- Binoculars — greatly improve the experience
- Camera with zoom lens — animals can be at distance
- No flash photography inside the park
- Fully charged phone / power bank
- No selfie sticks inside the vehicle
PRACTICAL INFO
Know Before You Go
Safari Booking
Book only at the official Gujarat Government portal: girlion.gujarat.gov.in. Many fake third-party sites are operating — always verify you're on the .gujarat.gov.in domain. No walk-in entries for the main zone. Book 2–4 weeks ahead in peak season.
Safari Season
October 16 to June 15 only. The park closes completely from July 1 to October 15 for monsoon. No exceptions. Always verify exact open dates before planning travel.
Getting There
Sasan Gir station has limited trains. Junagadh (45 km) is the most practical railhead with better connectivity. Rajkot (160 km) is the major hub. Somnath is 65 km if combining circuits.
Where to Stay
Stay as close to the main gate as possible — you need to be there by 5:45 AM. Forest Department rest houses are the most affordable. Jungle lodges range from basic to premium.
Explore More
Gir as Part of a Larger Circuit
Gir connects naturally with Somnath, Junagadh, and Dwarka as part of the Saurashtra pilgrimage and wildlife circuit.
4
Days · Somnath + Gir
Temple + Forest
Somnath Jyotirlinga followed by Gir safari — two completely different experiences that pair well together. Somnath is 65 km from Sasan Gir.
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Pilgrimage + Wildlife
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65 km apart
5
Days · Somnath + Gir + Junagadh
Temple, Forest & Hills
Add Junagadh and Girnar to the Somnath–Gir circuit. The Girnar hills, Uparkot fort, and the city’s wildlife museum make it a natural third stop.
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3 Destinations
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Easy Routing
7
Days · Full Saurashtra
Somnath · Gir · Junagadh · Dwarka
The complete Saurashtra circuit — Jyotirlingas, wildlife safari, Girnar hills, and Dwarkadhish. Best for families or groups with a full week.
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4 Destinations
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~600 km loop
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Car Recommended
Planning the Full
Saurashtra Circuit?
Somnath, Gir, Junagadh, Dwarka — we cover the whole region. Our
travel desk can help with routing, safari permit assistance,
accommodation across stops, and local transport. No packages,
no commission.