Gir Lion Safari: Permits, Timings and How to Actually Get a Slot

Season and timings

Gir National Park is open 16 October to 15 June and closed through the monsoon. Three safari slots run daily: roughly 06:00–09:00, 08:30–11:30 and 15:00–18:00. The first slot has the best sighting rate by a clear margin.

Booking a permit

Permits are issued only through the Gujarat Forest Department's online system and open 90 days in advance. Each permit covers one gypsy for up to six people. Weekend and holiday slots in December and January are gone within minutes of release.

You will need the exact name, age and photo-ID number of every passenger at the time of booking. These are checked at the gate and cannot be changed afterwards — a mismatch means the whole gypsy is turned back.

What it costs

Permit charges are in the region of ₹800–₹1,500 per gypsy for Indian nationals on weekdays, higher on weekends and substantially higher for foreign nationals. Gypsy hire and the compulsory guide are paid separately at the gate, roughly ₹2,000–₹2,500 combined.

If you cannot get a permit

Devalia Safari Park (also called the Gir Interpretation Zone), 12 km from Sasan, is a 4.12 sq km fenced enclosure with lions, leopards and blackbuck. Tickets are sold same-day, the tour is by bus, and sightings are close to guaranteed. It is not the same experience as the open park, but it is a genuine one.

Where to stay

Sasan Gir village has everything from forest-department rooms to resorts. Junagadh (60 km) and Somnath (45 km) both work if Sasan is full, but a 6 AM safari from either means leaving at 4:45 AM.

Getting there

Nearest airports are Keshod (45 km, limited flights), Rajkot Hirasar (160 km) and Ahmedabad (340 km). The park gate is 1.5 km from Sasan Gir village, and safari gypsies do not pick up from hotels outside it — plan your own transport for the pre-dawn run to the gate.