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Gujarat

Gir (Sasan Gir)

Dry teak forest at the heart of the Asiatic lion's only range

Wildlife

Best time to visit Gir (Sasan Gir)

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: December to February
  • Shoulder: March to May and October to November, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: June to September

Planning a specific month? JanuaryFebruaryDecember

Gir (Sasan Gir) season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Cool, comfortable safaris with reliably good lion sightings - the easiest months to visit.

Summer March to May Shoulder

Heat climbs fast, but April-May give the best sighting odds as lions gather at waterholes.

Monsoon June to September Do not go

Park closed to visitors for the breeding season from roughly mid-June to mid-October.

Autumn October to November Shoulder

Reopens around mid-October, forest still green, sightings build back up through November.

What Gir (Sasan Gir) is actually like

Small forest-lodge town for lion safaris - photographers and families in shared jeeps

Things to do in Gir

The local places worth your time in and around Gir, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Devalia Safari Park

    Wildlife · 12 km out

    Fenced enclosure where a short bus tour all but guarantees lions; closed Wednesday, book at the Sasan counter.

  • Kamleshwar Dam

    Reservoir · 12 km out

    Reservoir inside the sanctuary holding a lot of marsh crocodiles; you see it only if your allotted safari route runs there.

  • Gir Crocodile Breeding Centre

    Wildlife · in town

    Muggers of every size in pens beside the reception, five minutes to see; good for the wait before a safari slot.

  • Kankai Mata Temple

    Temple · 25 km out

    Temple deep in the forest that pilgrims are allowed to drive to; the forest road is gate controlled, so start early.

Getting to Gir (Sasan Gir)

Fly to Diu (DIU) or Rajkot (RAJ), then 1.5-2h drive to Sasan Gir

Practical ways in: flighttrainroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
2 days
Budget
Mid-range
How busy
Steady at its peak
Solo travel
Doable solo with some planning
Altitude
267 m
State
Gujarat
Coordinates
21.1289, 70.7929

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Gir (Sasan Gir)?

December to February is peak season in Gir (Sasan Gir). March to May and October to November is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid June to September. Cool, comfortable safaris with reliably good lion sightings - the easiest months to visit.

How many days do you need in Gir (Sasan Gir)?

2 days is the usual stay. Small forest-lodge town for lion safaris - photographers and families in shared jeeps.

How do you get to Gir (Sasan Gir)?

Fly to Diu (DIU) or Rajkot (RAJ), then 1.5-2h drive to Sasan Gir. Practical ways in: flight, train and road.

Is Gir (Sasan Gir) expensive, and does it get crowded?

Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs steady at the busiest time of year. Doable solo with some planning.

What are the best things to do in Gir?

Devalia Safari Park, Kamleshwar Dam, Gir Crocodile Breeding Centre and Kankai Mata Temple. Fenced enclosure where a short bus tour all but guarantees lions; closed Wednesday, book at the Sasan counter.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Gujarat

All 32 destinations in Gujarat