Kala Dungar (Black Hill)

Gir Forest National Park, sprawling across 1,412 square kilometers of rugged hills, rocky ravines, and teak forest scrub in southwestern Gujarat, stands as the only wild sanctuary on Earth where the pure Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) roams freely.

Celebrated across the globe as one of Asia's greatest wildlife conservation success stories, this deciduous forest sanctuary protects over 674 wild Asiatic lions, 300 Indian leopards, and thousands of spotted deer across the Saurashtra peninsula.

It's the home of thrilling open top Gypsy safaris along dusty forest trails, sprawling marsh crocodile colonies sunbathing along Kamleshwar Dam, indigenous Maldhari pastoralists living harmoniously in traditional forest settlements (nesses), and pristine riverine belts nourished by the Hiran, Shetrunji, and Raval rivers.

It represents a rich cultural crossroads where intense wildlife protection, royal Junagadh conservation history, forest shrine pilgrimages, and authentic Kathiyawadi wilderness traditions unite under dry teak canopies.

Located at Sasan Gir, it sits 40 km north of Veraval, 60 km south of Junagadh, 110 km from Diu Airport, and 160 km from Rajkot International Airport.

Royal Conservation History & Lion Recovery

Back in the late 19th century, excessive trophy hunting had brought the Asiatic lion to the brink of extinction, with fewer than 20 individuals surviving in the Gir hills. Recognizing the imminent danger, the progressive Nawab of Junagadh, Muhammad Rasul Khanji II, placed a total ban on lion shooting around 1900.

His royal decree established the foundation of state protection. Following Indian independence, the Gujarat state government declared Gir as a wildlife sanctuary in 1965 and upgraded its core 258 square kilometers into a National Park in 1975.

Truth is, dedicated forest guards, local Maldhari trackers, and modern scientific radio telemetry have helped the lion population grow steadily from 284 in 1990 to more than 674 lions today, expanding into neighboring coastal forests across Junagadh, Amreli, and Bhavnagar.

Safari Experience & Wildlife Highlights

The Gir Jungle Trail offers 8 designated safari routes winding through dry deciduous teak forests, thorny acacia scrub, and riverine valleys. Open 4x4 Maruti Gypsy jeeps accompanied by trained forest trackers depart Sinh Sadan headquarters during morning and afternoon slots.

Besides the Asiatic lion, you'll encounter healthy populations of Indian leopards, striped hyenas, golden jackals, sambar deer, chital (spotted deer), four horned antelopes (Chousingha), and blue bulls (Nilgai).

Birdwatchers can spot over 300 avian species, including the endangered crested serpent eagle, Changeable hawk eagle, Mottled wood owl, Indian pitta, and Paradise flycatcher flitting through the canopy.

Devalia Safari Park & Kamleshwar Dam

Gir Interpretation Zone (Devalia): Located 12 km from Sasan Gir, this 412 hectare fenced mini Gir sanctuary offers safari bus and Gypsy tours with guaranteed sightings of lions, leopards, and blackbucks in their natural habitat within a 45 minute tour.

Kamleshwar Dam Reservoir: Built across the Hiran River inside the core forest, this reservoir houses Gujarat's largest population of marsh crocodiles (muggers) and works as a vital watering ground for large herbivores.

Kankai Mata Temple: A sacred shrine deep within the forest where pilgrims travel through lion territory to offer prayers, experiencing untouched wilderness along the way.

Combine your Gir safari with cultural day trips to the First Jyotirlinga of Somnath (40 km) and the historic Buddhist caves of Junagadh for an unforgettable Gujarat holiday.