Located: Gir, 42-kms From Junagadh, Gujarat

Main Wildlife: Asiatic Lions, Leopards, Chowsingha

Area: 1412.13-sq-kms.

Gir National park is the only home to the Asiatic Lions in India. The Gir National Park /wildlife sanctuary lies in the Gujarat peninsula in South-Western part of India. The terrain in and around the national park is rugged with low hills and the vegetation is mixed deciduous with Teak, Jamun, Acacia, Tendu and Dhak trees, sprinkled with patches of grasslands. The trees on the hills are sparse and stunted. Inside the sanctuary, there are several human settlements of cattle herders with abundance of livestock population that forms a significant part of the Lion's diet. There are places of Hindu worship and pilgrimage also and sulphur springs at Tulsi Shyam and Kankai Mata. The edges of the Gir forest are inhabited by good population of Indian Gazelle, zealously protected by the local people.

Flora of the Sanctuary
Flora of Gir Wildlife Sanctuary mainly comprises mixed deciduous forest with Teak, Acacia and Banyan trees. The flora of the sanctuary varies in different areas of the park. Along the main rivers and streams of the park you will get a distinct green vegetation belt. Common trees found in the park include Karanj, Jambu, Umro, Kalam, Charal, Vad, Amli and Siru. With their broad leaves, these trees provide the park area a cool shade and extra moisture.

Attractions in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary
In India the Lion population is spread across the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. But Gir is not just about Lions, the second most commonly found predator in the Gir is Leopard. Infact, Gir national park is also home to one of the largest Leopard populations in any park in India, and especially in the hotter season they can sometimes be seen at night close to the lodges.
Other animal residents of the Gir national park are Sambar Deer, Chital Spotted Deer, Nilgai Antelope, Chowsingha Four-Horned Antelope, Chinkara Gazelle, Wild Boar, Langur Monkey, Jackal, and Hyena and numerous birds like Paradise Flycatcher, Bonneli's Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Woodpeckers Flamingo etc.

Jeep Safari : If you want to spot Lion in Gir National Park, Jeep Safari is the best way. In the park, there are seven marked out tourists trails open for Jeep Safari. 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. For those who wish to explore the sanctuary on their own vehicle, it is compulsory to take along a guide from forest department.

How to Reach Gir Wildlife Sanctuary
Air: The nearest airport from Gir is Keshod 90-kms via Veraval. Visitors can easily catch daily flights from Mumbai to Keshod.

Rail: The nearest rail connection is the meter gauge rail line of 395-kms from Ahemdabad.

Road: Gir is situated at a distance of 400-kms from Ahmedabad via Rajkot, Junagadh and Mendarda. State Transport buses are easily available from Junagadh and Veraval to Gir, between November and June.

Best Time to Visit Gir Wildlife Sanctuary
Wildlife enthusiasts can visit Gir park throughout the year, but the best period to visit the Gir Sanctuary is between the months of November and June. November and February is the best time for sighting the lions, who generally retire to the forest's interior during the summer.