The Gir National Park evolved as an effort to conserve the Asiatic lion from patching and hunting. Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary is 1412 sq. km hilly tract of dry and deciduous forests, acacia, scrub, evergreen and semi - evergreen flora and Greenland's fed by rivers. The Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary is collectively known as the Gir Protected Area, located in the Junagadh District of Gujarat. The park offers many excellent drives through scenic areas promise visual delight to visitors. Among the many water bodies in the reserve is the Kamleshwar Dam, known for its large crocodile population.
The Gir National Park is a globally famous wildlife reserve that attracts a substantial number of visitors. According to official census figures, Gir has about 300 lions, 300 leopards, making it one of the major big-cat concentration in India. The topography of the park consist of steep rocky hill sides which covered in mixed deciduous forests. The vegetation comprises of Teak, Jamun, Tendu and Dhak trees.
Gir has the large population of marsh crocodile or Muggar, which is among the 40 species of reptiles and amphibians recorded in the sanctuary. Sambar and Spotted Deer (Chital), Blue Ball, Chinkara, Chousingha (the world's only four horned antelope) and wild boar thrive in Gir. The forest department organizes lion shows every Sunday, where the visitors can watch prides on lions on the hunt. There are guided trips avaliable, to watch these magnificent animals from a very close range.
Besides the king of the Jungle, Gir is also home to a wide variety of birds that flutter and fill the atmosphere with melodious chirping. The park checklist has 250 birds and about 50 other species are recorded in the Greenland's along the periphery of the Sanctuary. Birds in the park include the paradise Flycatcher, Eagle and painted Sand grouse. Gir also has about 2000 species of invertebrate and to trails around the lodge can be good for butterfly spotting.
Get IN :
By Air : The nearest Airport is Keshod 90 km via veraval. One can catch daily flight from Mumbai to Keshod. Drive to Gir from Keshod or Rajkot (166 km). Flights Rajkot (3.5 hour drive) and Bhavnagar (5 hour drive) from where it is four hour drive to Sasan Gir. Flight to Diu (1.5 hour) from where it is a two hour drive to Sasan Gir.
By Rail : Meter gauge Rail line of 395 km from Ahmadabad. There is also Railway Station at Sasan Gir (1km). Trains to Junagadh (1.5 hour drive) and Rajkot (3.5 hour drive) from where there are buses and taxis to Gir. One can reach these places through trains and then travel by road to Gir.
By Road : Distance of 400 km from Ahmadabad via Rajkot, Junagadh, Mendarda, State Transport buses are also available from Junagadh. Ahmadabad is six hour away and is also a International Airport. Transport can be arranged at an extra cost.
