Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary

On our way back to Ahmedabad, we decided to visit Gir National Forest. After all nothing can be more fun than this. The forest is shelter for Asiatic Lions. The safari took almost 2 and half hours. To my surprise, the first animal we saw was the Asiatic lions, although they were having a good time while sleeping. I saw the lions and leopards and many more that we already see in every forest. Heading back to Ahmedabad after a tiring safari felt good. The day was sorted.

• Gir Forest for safari• Kutch Museum

Day 4 - Gir Forest National ParkThe Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary also known as Sasan-Gir in Gujarat State. its 65 km (40 mi) south-east of Junagadh and 60 km (37 mi) south-west of Amreli. The only home of the endangered mighty Asiatic Lion, Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular attractions of Gujarat. In 1965, Gir forest was titled as wildlife sanctuary and in 1975 it was declared as a National Park. Spread in a huge area of 1412 square km, the national park houses around 38 species of mammals, 300 avifauna species, and 37 species of reptiles and over 2000 insect species. Enjoy jeep safari and bird watching at Sasan Gir. Like Africa, Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only place in the world where you can spot lions roaming free in the wild Apart from these animals the park is a home to two different species of Deer. The Sambar is counted largest Indian Deer. Tourists who ever visit Gir Park often love jeep safaris. A ride in wild jungle is such an adventurous idea for every visitor. But, for this ride, you must have to obtain permission.This is such a wild attraction in Gir. While you are on Jeep Safari, you can spot the Lions in their natural habitat, when they are on the prowl. Watching the Lions from open-roof jeep is altogether a wonderful experience. During your Jeep Safari tour, you can also click some pictures of the Lions. Best time to spot the Lions are at the dusk and dawn. Jeeps and guides are made available by the Forest Department. (Note: National Park will be CLOSED from 16-Jun-2017 till 15-Oct-2017). Like around 2pm we left the Gir sasan and headed back to porbandar

Gir National ParkOn our third day in Somnath we decided to visit Gir National Park, the only home of the majestic Asiatic Lion. Gir is located at 80kms from Somnath and we decided on a quick day trip to the park to go say hello to the lions. When we left from Somnath, we weren’t hopeful of sighting any lions but we still went, knowing in our hearts that the chance of seeing a lion was very slim. However, when we reached there we were pleasantly surprised. Not only did we see a lion, we saw a full pride - one majestic lion and three lionesses. We spotted them sleeping under the shade of a tree and honestly, it was one of the most surreal moments of my life. Seeing a lion so close was something that I had never even imagined, but it happened and it was everything I had hoped for, and more.

The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is a forest and wildlife sanctuary near Talala Gir. Established in 1965, with a total area of 1,412 km2 for the fully protected area of the national park and 1,153 km2 for the Sanctuary. The park is located 43 km north-east of Somnath and 65 km south-east of Junagadh.It is the sole home of the Asiatic lion in the wilderness, and is considered to be one of the most important protected areas in Asia due to its supported species. The ecosystem of Gir, with its diverse flora and fauna, is protected as a result of the efforts of the government forest department, wildlife activists and NGOs. The forest area of Gir were the hunting grounds of the Nawabs of Junagadh. However, faced with a drastic drop in the lion population in Gir, Nawab Sir Muhammad Rasul Khanji Babi declared Gir as a "protected" area in 1900. His son, Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khan III later assisted in the conservation of the lions whose population had plummeted to only 20 through slaughter for trophy huntingWe had booked our stay at the Anil Farmhouse located on the bank of Hiran River and surrounded by meadows of Gir Forest. After grabbing a quick snack we went to the river banks to spot a number of lazing wild Mugger crocodiles and a number of avian fauna. We spent the evening surveying the beautiful mango orchards at the resort immersed in coffee and conversations.

i contacted with a local travel agency and booked a cab for GIR , because of not having a booking we couldn’t able to visit actual GIR forest so we went to SASAN GIR FOREST which is also a part of GIR .GIR FOREST is actually a biggest home for aisatic lions in the world around 700 and above lions are there. we visited there ,that was a fantastic place for understanding wild life . our cab driver also mentioned us to visit JUNAGARH which is also famous for UPARKOT FORT, RANI KI VAV and also various temples and mosques. we reach at junagarh and spent a whole day there and visited various spots.there are outstanding ancient sculptures and forts which are secured under ASI .

One of the oldest wildlife parks in India, Gir is home to the Asiatic Lion. Wildlife enthusiasts also visit the park to sight leopards and jungle cats as well as other animals and reptiles. For those who are fascinated with birds, you will find Malabar whistling thrush, Paradise flycatcher, crested serpent eagle, and painted storks nesting here. Book your stay at the Gir Birding Lodge for a weekend and spot as many of the 300 species as you can.Getting There: There are direct flights from Mumbai to Diu, 110 kilometres from the park. From Delhi, fly to Rajkot and drive to the park (four hours). To make the most of your experience, stay in a Jungle Lodge at the park. You can book your tour online at girlion.in.

According to official census figures, Gir national park houses over 400 critically endangered Asiatic Lion population. Apart from this Gir National park houses 300 Nilgai, Chinkara, Sambhar, Black Bucks, the four horned Antelope, Wild Boar, Indian Flying Foe, Grey Musk Shrew, Indian Hare, Pale Hedgehog, Small Indian Mongoose, Small Indian Civet, Indian Pangolin, Indian Porcupine, Ratel, Indian Fox, and Jackal. The three smaller wildcats - the Jungle Cat, Desert Cat and the Rusty Spotted Cat Several non-venomous Snakes such as the Indian Rock Python along with the four venomous varieties of Indian Cobra, Common Krait, Saw Scaled Viper and Russell's viper are the another show stopper in this wildlife reserve.

The Gir National Park and wildlife sanctuary is located about 65 km south east in the Junagadh district of Gujarat. Gir National Park is one of the India’s finest wildlife sanctuaries located in Gujarat. This national park is set up in an area of 1412 square km. of lush deciduous forests. This national park was established on 18th September 1965 as a Forest Reserve to conserve the Asiatic lion. This sanctuary is the final refuge of the rare Asian lions which roamed freely two centuries ago throughout Middle East and some parts of India. Sasan, with a forest rest house, is the headquarters of the sanctuary. Since 1884, Gir National Park has been the only habitat of the Asiatic lion. During the British Raj, lions were hunted mercilessly by the British officers assisted by the obliging Maharajas and Nawabs. Every Maharaja was proud of the number of lions or tigers he killed during his lifetime. In the year 1899 the famine decreased the lion population so badly that Lord Curzon cancelled his shoot in Gir where he had been invited by the Nawab for a ‘Shikaar’. The Lord Curzon also advised the ruler to protect the remaining lions. By the time India achieved independence, the number of lions get increased, but they were once again hunted by the Maharajas. The Government of India banned the hunting of lion in the mid 1960 and now this park is open only for the photo safaris. The Gir National Park later became a major tourist attraction in India. About 300 lions are found in this park.

The only home to the Asiatic lion, Gir National Park is a story to be proud of- a story of bringing back the Asiatic Lion from the brink of extinction. A story of restoring it to numbers from a plunging 12 to a healthy 500+ as on today. Located in Junagadh district with nearest flight connectivity from Rajkot, witness these majestic social cats in their true homes, living their as the rightful kings of the forest!

1. Gir National Lion park 2. Girnar Temple- Jungadh

Gir is for you nature lovers. Getting to experience safari adventures, you can ride through the Gir forest in search of the king of the jungle. Setting out bright and early in the morning in the open jeeps gives a better chance of lion sightings. Munching on hot and mouth watering jalebis was also one of our morning routines at the sweets shops close to our guest houses.

Home to the Asiatic Lions, Gir National Park is one of Asia's most important wildlife sanctuaries. Proactive measures by the State Government and wildlife activists has resulted in the protection of this delicate ecosystem. The lion breeding program has bred about 180 lions till date.

Considered a jewel of the Gujarat's ecological resources, Gir National Park is a hilly tract of dry deciduous forests, acacia scrub, evergreen and semi-evergreen flora and grasslands, which subsist on rivers and streams. Among the many water-bodies in the reserve is the Kamleshwar Dam, known for its large crocodile population. According to official census figures, Gir has about 300 Lions and 300 Leopards, making it one of the major big-cat concentrations in India. The experience here is one of a kind!