Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only natural habitat of the Asiatic lion. The core Jungle Trail safari runs from 16 October to 15 June.
This guide covers the official permit fees, safari timings, booking steps, how to reach Sasan Gir and a two-day route with Somnath and Diu.
However, third-party pages quote very different prices, so we separate official figures from other listings. Always confirm on the Gujarat Forest Department portal before you pay.
Key Takeaways
- The 2025 census counted 384 Asiatic lions inside the park and sanctuary, and 891 across Gujarat.
- The Jungle Trail closes from 16 June to 15 October, while Devaliya stays open except on Wednesdays.
- Official permits cost ₹800 to ₹1,000 for Indians, plus separate guide and vehicle charges.
- Booking opens three months ahead on the Gujarat Forest Department portal.
- December to March is the most comfortable window, but it is also the busiest.
What Is Gir National Park?
Gir National Park, also called Sasan Gir, sits in Junagadh district in Gujarat’s Saurashtra region. It was established in 1965 to protect the Asiatic lion.
The park and surrounding sanctuary cover about 1,412 sq km. Together they form the last natural habitat of the Asiatic lion.
How Many Lions Live in Gir?
The 2025 census counted 891 Asiatic lions across Gujarat, up from 674 in 2020. Of these, 384 live inside the park and sanctuary.
The other 507 lions live outside its boundaries, across 11 districts. Counts happened from 10 to 13 May 2025, so older figures such as 411 or 600 are outdated.
Gir National Park Safari Options
| Safari | Vehicle | Best for | Notes |
| Gir Jungle Trail | Open gypsy through the core forest | Lion sightings in natural habitat | Closed 16 June to 15 October |
| Devaliya Safari Park | Fenced zone, gypsy or bus | Families and short visits | Closed Wednesdays, open in monsoon |
| Ambardi Safari Park | Non-AC bus, hourly slots | A backup option | Closure day conflicts, so confirm |
| Girnar Nature Safari | Separate safari on the same portal | Junagadh-area trips | Closed during Girnar Parikrama and Maha Shivratri |
Most visitors choose the Gir Jungle Trail, an open gypsy ride through the core forest. A guide rides along, and the route is assigned randomly at the gate.
Devaliya Safari Park is a fenced interpretation zone of about 412 hectares. Slots last roughly 55 minutes, which suits families, older visitors and last-minute plans.
Sightings are generally more likely at Devaliya than on the core trail, but they are never guaranteed. Devaliya stays open during the monsoon closure.
Which Safari Should You Book?
- Choose the Jungle Trail for the natural-habitat experience.
- Choose Devaliya for children, short visits or same-day plans.
- Choose Ambardi as a backup when other permits sell out.
Jungle Trail rides last about three hours, while Devaliya slots last under an hour. Longer rides suit patient wildlife watchers, and shorter ones suit restless children.
Gir Safari Fees and Permit Costs
The official e-permit is low, but the guide and vehicle charges are paid separately. That split explains why third-party pages quote much higher totals.
| Official permit | Mon to Fri | Sat, Sun, festivals |
| Indian visitors, up to 6 persons | ₹800 | ₹1,000 |
| Indian extra child (3 to 12) | ₹100 | ₹125 |
| Foreign visitors, up to 6 persons | ₹7,600 | ₹9,500 |
| Foreign extra child | ₹1,900 | ₹2,375 |
| Devaliya bus, Indian, per person | ₹150 | ₹190 |
| Devaliya bus, foreign, per person | ₹3,800 | ₹4,750 |
A guide and vehicle fee is paid on the spot. One blog reports ₹400 for the guide and ₹2,000 for the gypsy, shared across the group.
Other pages list ₹4,700 to ₹8,000 per jeep for Indians, which likely bundles the permit with the guide, vehicle and agent fees. Confirm what each price includes.
Camera fees may apply, and one third-party page lists ₹200 or more per camera for Indian visitors. We could not confirm this on the official page.
Gir Safari Timings and Closure Dates
| Season | Gir Jungle Trail | Devaliya gypsy (hourly slots) |
| Winter, 16 October to end February | 6:30 to 9:30 AM, 3 to 6 PM | 7 to 10:55 AM, 3 to 5:55 PM |
| Summer, 1 March to 15 June | 6 to 9 AM, 4 to 7 PM | 6:30 to 10:25 AM, 3:45 to 6:40 PM |
The official table also lists a 9 AM to 12 PM Jungle Trail slot without season dates. Some third-party pages show it as 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
The Gir Jungle Trail closes every year from 16 June to 15 October for the monsoon. No weekly closure is listed for the core trail.
Devaliya closes every Wednesday but stays open during the monsoon. Ambardi Safari Park has a weekly closure too, though the official notes conflict on the day.
Reach the gate at least 30 minutes before your slot, with original ID. Late arrival cancels the permit without a refund, so leave your hotel early.
How to Book a Gir Safari Online
Book through the Gujarat Forest Department portal at girlion.gujarat.gov.in. One guide warns about unauthorised agents on WhatsApp, social media and near the gate.
- Open the official portal and choose Gir Jungle Trail or Devaliya.
- Pick your date and slot, since booking opens three months ahead.
- Enter each visitor’s name, ID type and ID number exactly.
- Pay online and download the e-permit.
- Carry the e-permit and your original photo ID.
One e-permit covers up to six adults and one child aged 3 to 12. A person can hold only one Jungle Trail permit per slot.
Online booking closes two hours before the safari, and tatkal bookings are not allowed. Devaliya gypsy permits can sometimes be booked on the day if any remain.
Accepted IDs are Aadhaar, PAN, driving licence or Voter ID, and foreigners need the original passport. Incorrect ID details make the booking invalid without a refund.
The portal lists 75% back for Girnar Nature Safari cancellations made 10 or more days ahead. Devaliya bus tickets are not refundable, and no Jungle Trail policy appears.
Best Time to Visit Gir National Park
| Season | Months | Conditions |
| Winter | October to February | About 10 to 22°C, peak crowds |
| Summer | March to mid-June | About 29 to 42°C, lions near water |
| Monsoon | 16 June to 15 October | Jungle Trail closed |
Most guides name December to March as the most comfortable window. However, they also warn that winter brings the biggest crowds and the fastest permit sellouts.
Opinions differ on summer. Some pages say April and May improve sightings because waterholes dry up, while another calls summer weaker for lion spotting.
Our advice: pick a winter weekday for comfort and lower permit prices, or April if you accept the heat. Sightings are never guaranteed in any season.
How to Reach Sasan Gir
| Gateway | Distance to Sasan Gir | Note |
| Keshod Airport | About 38 km | No Delhi to Keshod flights as of February 2026 |
| Diu Airport | About 60 to 70 km | About 2 hours by cab |
| Rajkot Airport | About 160 to 170 km | Nearly 4 hours by road |
| Veraval station | About 45 km | Nearest major rail head |
| Junagadh station | About 60 to 65 km | About 1.5 hours by road |
| Somnath | About 50 km | About 1 hour by road |
| Ahmedabad | 8 hours or more | One trip report, by road |
Distances vary by page, so treat them as approximate. Keshod is the closest airport, but flights are limited, so plan on Rajkot or Diu.
Rajkot works as a starting point, so see our guide to places to visit in Rajkot first. For a wider Saurashtra loop, try the best tourist places near Rajkot.
Where to Stay Near Gir
Sasan village sits about 10 minutes from the main gate and is the usual base. Resorts outside the village are quieter but add travel time before early safaris.
| Type | Typical nightly rate |
| Budget guesthouses and forest lodges | ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 |
| Mid-range resorts | ₹4,000 to ₹7,000 |
| Luxury jungle resorts | ₹8,000 and above |
If Gir resorts are full, Junagadh hotels are a fallback, though they need a very early start for the morning safari. Book the permit first, then the room.
Our advice: check the distance to the gate before paying a deposit, since early safaris leave little time for delays.
Wildlife and Birdlife at Gir
Asiatic lions are the main draw, and they live in smaller prides of two to five animals than their African cousins.
Leopards, striped hyenas and golden jackals also live in the forest. Herbivores include chital, sambar, nilgai, four-horned antelope and wild boar.
Marsh crocodiles gather at Kamleshwar Dam, and the park also holds star tortoises, Indian rock pythons and cobras. Bird counts range from about 200 to 300 species across pages.
Birdwatchers can look for crested serpent eagles, Indian eagle owls and peafowl, and the park also has a crocodile breeding centre.
Gir, Somnath and Diu in 2 Days
One source places Gir, Somnath and Diu within a 110 km radius, so a short loop works. Somnath is about 50 km from Sasan Gir.
| Day | Plan |
| Day 1 | Early Jungle Trail safari, midday rest, then Devaliya or Kankai Mata Temple (about 25 km) |
| Day 2 | Morning drive to Somnath (about 1 hour), then continue toward Diu |
Our advice: book the safari first, then build the rest of the trip around it. For festival timing at Somnath, see our guide to places to celebrate Maha Shivratri.
Junagadh lies about 60 to 65 km away, and our guide to the Girnar Parikrama covers the pilgrimage route. The Girnar Nature Safari closes during Girnar Parikrama and Maha Shivratri.
Rules and Safety
- Carry original photo ID that matches your booking.
- Follow your guide’s instructions at all times.
- Avoid loud noises, and wear neutral colours.
- Only registered visitors may ride in the vehicle.
- Do not use unofficial routes or unlicensed agents.
Carry sunscreen and water in summer. Pages describe the park as safe with an authorised guide, though none we read published safety statistics.
Details We Could Not Verify
Some figures lack a single reliable source. Confirm each one on the official portal or with the forest department before you travel.
- Current guide, vehicle and camera charges.
- The Jungle Trail cancellation policy.
- Season dates for the 9 AM to 12 PM slot.
- Ambardi’s weekly closure day.
- Devaliya’s area and slot length.
- Exact distances from Diu and Rajkot.
Final Thoughts on Gir National Park
Gir National Park rewards early planning. Book your permit as soon as the three-month window opens, and match the safari type to your group.
Confirm fees and timings on the official portal, since third-party pages lag behind. We will update this guide when the rules change.
For a longer Saurashtra trip, our guide to beaches near Dwarka adds a coastal stop, though Dwarka lies well beyond the short Gir, Somnath and Diu loop.
