Gir National Park

2 daysBest: Dec–MarForests#lions#safari#wildlife

Last home of the Asiatic lion

Why this weekend?

Lion sightingsJeep safarisMaldhari villages

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · The lion forest
- Morning safari
- Rest hour
- Evening safari
- Night stop
Day 2 · The park's ring
- Morning safari
- Valley stop
- Interpretation
- Return

Geography & terrain

Gir National Park lies in the Junagadh district of Gujarat, 65 km from Junagadh and 350 km from Ahmedabad — the last home of the Asiatic lion, its dry teak forests and the river valleys set in the Saurashtra's thorn country.

History & culture

The forest's story runs with the conservation of the Asiatic lion — the species reduced to a few dozen in the early 20th century and saved by the Nawab of Junagadh's protection and the later park's management; the sanctuary's modern growth of the lion population, with the park's other wildlife and the region's history of the Girnar hills nearby, gives Gir its place as the world's only home of the Asiatic lion in the wild.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,500–3,500/night

Mid-range

₹3,500–7,000/night

Comfort

₹7,000+/night

Things to do

Lion country
Teak forests
River valleys
Safari drives
Conservation story

Eat & drink

Dhokla
Khandvi
Fafda jalebi
Undhiyu (in winter)
Kathiyawadi dal

Getting there

Fly: Ahmedabad (AMD)
Train: Ahmedabad & Rajkot junctions
Road from Ahmedabad: varies by district — 40–450 km
Getting around: Autos, city buses, app taxis

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹10,000–18,000 (2 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,500–7,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹1,200–1,600
Per day · Activities: ₹2,500–2,900

Month by month

Jan · Best: 14–29°C · None rain
Feb · Best: 17–32°C · None rain
Mar · Hot: 21–36°C · None rain
Apr · Hot: 25–39°C · None rain
May · Hot: 28–40°C · None rain
Jun · Monsoon: 27–35°C · Heavy rain
Jul · Monsoon: 25–31°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 25–31°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Monsoon tail: 24–33°C · Moderate rain
Oct · Good: 21–34°C · Light rain
Nov · Good: 17–31°C · None rain
Dec · Best: 14–29°C · None rain

Practical info

Language: Gujarati (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Dec–Mar
Connectivity: good 4G in towns
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

The safari bookings run the department's counter — the prior reservation
The lions' morning and evening hours hold the best sightings
The park's rules keep the quiet and the distance of the drives

Frequently asked questions

What is Gir?

The last wild home of the Asiatic lion in India.

What is there to do?

The safaris, the forest drives and the conservation story.

How long is the visit?

Two days of the safaris.