Sasan Gir National Park

Sasan Gir National Park in Gujarat (celebrated globally as the sole natural habitat and sovereign refuge of the royal Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) on Planet Earth, and one of Asia's most successful wildlife conservation biosphere reserves, sprawling across 1,412 square kilometers of rugged dry deciduous teak forests, rocky ravines, and perennial river valleys), located in Sasan Gir in Gujarat, stands as India's premier lion wildlife sanctuary.

Saved from the brink of total extinction at the turn of the 20th century by the visionary conservation efforts of the Nawab of Junagadh and modern Gujarat Forest Department initiatives, this protected wilderness sanctuary has nurtured the wild Asiatic lion population from fewer than 20 individuals in 1900 to over 674 thriving lions today.

It's the home of the legendary open top 4x4 Gypsy jungle safaris traversing 13 designated forest tourism routes, the world famous Devalia Safari Park (Gir Interpretation Zone) offering guaranteed close range lion sightings, the extraordinary population of over 500 leopards (giving Gir one of the highest leopard densities in India), the thriving herds of spotted deer (Chital), sambar, four horned antelopes (Chousingha), wild boars, mugger crocodiles along the Kamleshwar Dam reservoir, over 300 resident and migratory bird species, the traditional semi nomadic Maldhari pastoralist settlements (Nesses) coexisting peacefully with big cats for generations, and an intensely thrilling, untamed wilderness atmosphere where the roar of an Asiatic lion echoes across dry teak canopies.

It represents a rich 120 year-old Asiatic lion conservation milestone, dry deciduous forest biodiversity, and wildlife eco tourism where open Gypsy safaris, Maldhari culture, Kamleshwar crocodile dams, and Devalia parks unite in Sasan Gir National Park.

Located at Sasan village in Saurashtra, it sits 45 km south of Junagadh, 65 km north of Somnath / Veraval, 160 km from Rajkot, and 360 km from Ahmedabad, easily accessible via rail, highway, or domestic flights to Keshod and Rajkot airports.

1,412 Sq-Km Biosphere & 670+ Asiatic Lions

Gir is the only place in the world outside Africa where lions roam wild in natural deciduous woodlands and scrub savannahs.

Asiatic lions differ from African lions with their characteristic longitudinal skin fold running along the belly and sparser male manes that leave ears visible.

Truth is, watching a wild lioness and her playful cubs walk past your open Gypsy in golden morning forest light is unforgettable.

Open Gypsy Jungle Safaris & Devalia Park

Gir Jungle Trail Safari: 3 hour morning and afternoon Gypsy drives led by registered forest department guides through deep teak forest zones.

Devalia Safari Park: A 412 hectare fenced eco tourism zone 12 km from Sasan offering bus and safari tours with guaranteed wildlife sightings in under an hour.

Somnath & Saurashtra Tourism Circuit

Somnath Coastal Link: Sits just 65 km north of the sacred beachfront Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple and Prabhas Patan.

Saurashtra Circuit: Connects smoothly with the ancient Jain temples and ropeway of Mount Girnar in Junagadh (45 km) and Diu Island beaches (100 km).

After thrilling lion sightings on a Sasan Gir wildlife safari, seek blessings at the sacred Somnath Temple, explore Mount Girnar in Junagadh, or tour Gujarat.