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Gir National Park is one of the most exciting tourist destinations in Gujarat, India. It is the only spot in the world where you can view an Asiatic lion in its native environment outside of Africa. In contrast to their African cousins, the lions of Gir are a stately beast, measuring 2.75 metres in length, with a thicker tail tassel, bushier elbow tufts and noticeable belly folds. In addition to the Asiatic lions, there are 40 animal species in Gir and 425 different bird species.
The Sasan Gir National Park is one of the best tourist places in India that has grown in appeal among adventurous visitors, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, nature lovers, researchers, and hunters.
Government officials designated Sasan Gir as a wildlife sanctuary on September 18, 1965, to protect the Asiatic lion. It has a surface area of 1412 square kilometres, with a core area of 258 kilometres. Uncontrolled hunting in Junagarh led to a dramatic decline in the population of Asiatic lions while they were virtually exterminated in the rest of Asia due to other factors. Department of Forestry officials eventually stepped forward to save the Asiatic lion. In 1913, there were only about 20 of them in the area; by 2015, their population had grown to 523. Amongst Asiatic lions, a total of 106 males and 213 sub-adults are found in these four districts’ wildness. It is one of the best places in Gujarat to visit to see these majestic beasts.
You might want to go to the Devaliya Sanctuary in Gir National Park for a safari – the Devaliya Safari Park provides guests with an opportunity to explore the natural beauty and remoteness of the area. Guests are transported throughout Gir National Park in a small bus for the duration of the safari tour. There is a wide range of species, including the Asiatic lion, that visitors may see in just a 20-30 minute tour. Gir National Park’s information zone at Devaliya has been established to limit human interference and help tourists better comprehend the significance of the park and its diverse fauna.
For Asiatic lions, Gir National Park’s dry and deciduous woodland provides the ideal environment, making Gir one of the best tourist destinations in India. As of 2015, there were 523 lions and 300 leopards in the Saurashtra region. In the National Park, you will also find the Sambar, India’s largest deer. You’ll also find the Chowsingha, a four-horned antelope. Among the Gir forest’s smaller predators are striped hyena, jackal, and the Indian fox.
Over 425 bird species have found a home in Gir National Park’s flora, earning the sanctuary the designation of “important bird location”. Raptors like the white-backed and long-billed vultures, greater spotted eagle, Egyptian vulture and Palla’s fish eagle can also be found in Gir’s natural habitat. Some of nature’s most ferocious predators can be found in the woods of Gir. The Red-breasted Flycatcher, The Asian Paradise Flycatcher, and the Fantail, among others, are frequently seen while driving near Gir.
The overwhelming presence of the Asiatic lion shifts the attention of tourists from the magnificent bird population that the park boasts of. Asiatic lions take all the glory; if not for them, the location would have been known for the birds here. The birds of Gir also fascinated India’s legendary Ornithologist, Dr Salim Ali, who frequented the park quite often.
Nearly 40 species of amphibians and reptiles can be found in Sasan Gir. You can visit Kamleshwar, a vast reservoir in the sanctuary, to spot crocodiles. More snake species can be seen in the park, including the king cobra and saw-scaled viper. The reserve is also home to freshwater and star tortoises.
Keshod and Rajkot are the closest airports to Gir National Park. The airports in Keshod and Rajkot are around 70 and 160 kilometres away, respectively, from the park. You may get to Gir National Park by using a taxi or bus from either of these two airports.
The Mumbai International Airport is the best place to fly into to get to Gir National Park if you’re coming from abroad. From Mumbai’s airport, it’s possible to fly to Diu’s airport, where you can take a taxi to Gir National Park, which is about a 2-hour drive away.
Junagadh and Veraval are the nearest railway stations to Gir National Park; both are approximately the same distance from the park. All major cities in the country can be accessed by direct trains from either of the state’s two main railway terminals. Gir can be reached in one and a half to two hours by car or public bus from either of these two train stations. The Rajkot railway station, around 165 kilometres away from the Gir forest, is the second closest railway station and takes about three and a half hours to reach.
Travelling by car on public roads is usually a pleasurable experience and the greatest kind of transportation available. The roads in Gujarat are generally in good condition, and a road trip there may be both relaxing and pleasurable. Most of Gujarat’s major cities are well-connected by road to Gir National Park. From various regions of the state, both state and commercial bus transportation services provide regular bus service to Gir. Taxis and cabs are also readily available for travel to Gir National Park in major cities in Gujarat. So, there you go, this is the way to reach one of the best tourist places in India.
Founded in 1965, the sanctuary was designated a national park in 1975, with a 259-square-mile core area designated as a sanctuary. The park is known for its Asiatic lions. A dramatic increase in Asiatic lion populations has occurred since the late 1960s. According to the latest figures, there are around 600 Asiatic lions in Gir now. The Asiatic lion’s final resting place is a 1412-square-mile sanctuary located halfway between Veraval and Junagadh. Taking a safari through thick, untouched forests is an adventure, even if you don’t see any lions or other wildlife or any of the countless bird species that call these forests home.
The Gir National Park in India is famous for its Asiatic lions. Here, you can see the majestic cats from India in their natural habitat. Approximately 258 square kilometres are dedicated to protecting these lions.
Gir National Park is one of India’s best-known national parks. It is located in Gujarat, India.
The best time to visit would be December to March. In April and May, the temperature soars up to 46 degrees, and it is not advisable for tourists to visit the park in these months. From June to October, the park is closed.
According to a 2020 census, there are around 600 Asiatic lions in Gir National Park.
There are many other wildlife species in Gujarat’s Gir National Park, although it is best known for its resident Asiatic lions. The park is also home to other wildlife species, including Indian leopards, sloth bears and numerous reptiles and amphibians.
