National park · India
Gir Forest National Park
Enter Gir Forest for a morning jeep safari (₹200–₹300 per person) in the dry season, or a full‑day guided trek (₹1500–₹2500) in cooler months; avoid June‑Oct monsoon closure.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,412 km² (545 sq mi)545 sq mi (1,412 km²)
approximate
Established
1965
Best months
Nov–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 1,412 km² (545 sq mi)545 sq mi (1,412 km²)
- 258 km² national park core, 1153 km² sanctuary (source).
- Established
- 1965
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Junagadh
Gir Forest National Park protects the world’s last wild Asiatic lions and a rich mix of wildlife in a dry deciduous forest; visitors can see lions on guided jeep safaris or trek the Devaliya trail, but must respect strict guide and vehicle rules and avoid the monsoon‑closed season.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteProtected wildlife sanctuary.
Size and age
1,412 km² (545 sq mi)545 sq mi (1,412 km²) · national park since 1965
258 km² national park core, 1153 km² sanctuary (source).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Junagadh.
Why go
- Spot the only wild Asiatic lions on Earth.
- Watch leopards, sloth bears and over 300 bird species.
- Explore dry deciduous forest on jeep or foot.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctAvoid
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry; good wildlife viewing.
- FebCool, dry; good wildlife viewing.
- MarMild, before heat builds.
- AprWarm, early heat.
- MayHot, but before monsoon.
- JunPark closed 16 Jun–15 Oct (monsoon).
- JulPark closed (monsoon).
- AugPark closed (monsoon).
- SepPark closed (monsoon).
- OctPark closed until 15 Oct.
- NovCool, dry; ideal for safaris.
- DecCool, dry; ideal for safaris.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asiatic lion (year‑round)Nov–May · Sightings depend on luck; no guarantee. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Leopard, sloth bear, hyenaNov–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Painted stork, black‑crowned night heron, white‑naped craneOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Rajkot Airport
Taxi or bus 160 km (99 mi) to Gir; about 3 h.Taxi or bus 99 mi (160 km) to Gir; about 3 h.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Junagadh town
Bus or taxi 65 km (40 mi) north to the park gate.Bus or taxi 40 mi (65 km) north to the park gate.
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Ahmedabad
Direct bus 350 km (217 mi); approx 7 h.Direct bus 217 mi (350 km); approx 7 h.
6–8 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Sasan (gate & visitor centre) | Entry point, information desk, jeep launch area. | Open with ticket. |
| Lion Reserve | Core area where lions roam. | Jeep safari only, guided. |
| Birdwatching sector | Wetland and grassland zones. | Footpaths, guided walks. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official website; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (jeep safari) | INR 200–300 (≈ US$3–4) | person | Check exact price at gate. |
| Guided trek (full day) | INR 1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) | person | Includes guide and vehicle. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided trek permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹200–300≈ US$3–4
- ₹1,500–2,500≈ US$18–30
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Gir National Park official website before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for all jeep safaris and treks beyond the gate.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no open fires.
- Vehicle
- Only authorized jeeps may enter the Lion Reserve.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission.
- Camping
- Not permitted inside the park; stay in nearby lodges.
Where to stay
In the park
Gir Jungle Lodge
Eco‑lodge near the gate, rooms with basic amenities.
Near the park
Junagadh town
Hotels and guesthouses, 65 km (40 mi) north of the park.Hotels and guesthouses, 40 mi (65 km) north of the park.
Safety
Heat medium
Monsoon closure high
Lost on trek high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area reachable by car; short walks to jeep launch.
- Longer treks and safari routes not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay at eco‑lodges that support park conservation.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; use refillable bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Gir Forest National Park?
Entry for a jeep safari is about ₹200–₹300 per person; a full‑day guided trek costs ₹1500–₹2500. Prices vary, check at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Gir Forest National Park?
The guided Devaliya trek (5–6 h) offers forest scenery and birding; shorter footpaths around the birdwatching sector are easy 2‑hour walks.
When is the best time to visit Gir Forest National Park?
The dry months November to February are ideal; avoid the monsoon closure from 16 June to 15 October.
Do I need a guide for a jeep safari?
Yes. All vehicle safaris inside the Lion Reserve require a licensed guide.
Can I camp inside Gir Forest?
No. Camping is prohibited; stay in nearby lodges or in Junagadh.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Gir Forest National Park
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