Gujarat · India
Sasan Gir
The last refuge of the Asiatic lion — the dry teak-and-scrub forest of Gir National Park, where jeep safaris seek out lions, leopards and deer amid Kathiawad's rustic countryside.
Sasan Gir is lion country: dawn jeep safaris in Gir, the Devalia interpretation zone, the Kamleshwar reservoir, Maldhari herders in the forest, and hearty Kathiawadi food.
Plan your trip
Sasan Gir Tour Itineraries
Timed, walkable day plans — plus the best season to go.
Where to shoot
Sasan Gir Photo Spots
Medium crowdEntry Safari permit
Asiatic Lion Safari
- Best timeEarly morning, when lions are often still active in the soft light; late afternoon, when they wake from the day's rest in warm, golden light.
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Medium crowdEntry Ticketed
Devalia Safari Park
- Best timeEarly morning, on the first slots, when the animals are more active and the light is soft.
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Medium crowdEntry Park + safari permit
Gir National Park
- Best timeEarly morning, when mist and low sun light up the teak forest and animals are most active; late afternoon for warm, golden light.
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Low crowdEntry Within park permit
Kamleshwar Dam
- Best timeEarly morning, when the water is calm and the rising sun lights the reservoir; late afternoon, when birds and animals come down to drink.
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Entry Forest permit
Kankai Mata Temple
- Best timeMorning, for soft light on the temple and a quiet forest before the day's visitors arrive.
- ColorsSaffronRedForest green
For the feed
Trending Wear in Sasan Gir
Modern, Instagram-friendly looks
Rooted in the city
Sasan Gir Traditional Wear
Local, cultural, handcrafted outfits
Taste the city
Food to Eat in Sasan Gir
Trusted tables
Where to Eat in Sasan Gir
Representative photoGir Birding Lodge Restaurant
Sasan Gir
Representative photoGir Highway Dhaba
Sasan Gir
Representative photoHotel Anil Farm House
Sasan Gir
Representative photoSinh Sadan Restaurant
Sasan Gir
About Sasan Gir
Sasan Gir is a small village in Gujarat's Saurashtra region and the gateway to Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. Gir and the countryside around it are the only place in the world where Asiatic lions still live in the wild, and the 2025 count found 891 of them across Saurashtra. Jeep safaris into the teak and scrub forest start from the forest department's reception centre at Sinh Sadan, in the village.
A trip here is planned around safari slots. Book a dawn jeep safari into Gir, keep Devalia Safari Park as a backup, and look out for crocodiles at Kamleshwar Dam if your route passes the reservoir. Kankai Mata Temple, deep in the forest, can be visited by day with forest department permission. Between drives, try Kathiawadi food like bajra rotla with garlic chutney, and add a day trip to Somnath, about 45 km away.
Questions
Sasan Gir — FAQ
What is Sasan Gir famous for?
Sasan Gir is famous as the gateway to Gir National Park, the last wild home of the Asiatic lion. The area is also known for leopards, marsh crocodiles at Kamleshwar Dam, the Maldhari herders who live inside the forest, Gir cows, Kesar mangoes and hearty Kathiawadi food.
How many days are enough for Sasan Gir?
2 days gives you time for two or three safaris in Gir National Park, which improves your chances of seeing lions, plus a visit to Devalia Safari Park. Add a day if you want to see Kankai Mata Temple or make a trip to Somnath, about 45 km away.
What is the best time to visit Sasan Gir?
December to March is the most comfortable time, with cool mornings and good sightings. The park is usually open from 16 October to 15 June and closes for the monsoon in between. April to mid-June is very hot, but the dry, bare forest can make lions easier to find. See the best time to visit Sasan Gir for a month-by-month guide.
How do I reach Sasan Gir?
The nearest well-connected railway stations are Veraval, about 40 km away, and Junagadh, about 55 km away, and both have taxis and buses to Sasan. Keshod airport, about 55 km away, has limited flights, so you may find it easier to fly into Rajkot or Ahmedabad and continue by road.
How do I book a lion safari in Gir?
Book only on the official Gir online permit booking site, girlion.gujarat.gov.in, and ignore other websites promising confirmed permits. Bookings open about three months ahead and permits are limited, so book early for weekends and holidays. One permit covers up to six adults and one child in a standard jeep, every visitor needs the original photo ID used in the booking, and the guide and jeep are paid for separately in Sasan.