Sasan Gir is famous for the Gir forest national park. This region is located in Gujarat and is filled with acacia scrubs, evergreen flora, semi-evergreen flora and dry deciduous forest region. The place is veined with water bodies and watering holes that serve as a good spot for animal wealth.
Sasan Gir is one of the numerous places to enjoy a rich wildlife attraction. It is also an important destination of Deccan Odyssey, Indian luxury train.
Deccan Odyssey scales Sasan Gir as a part of Hidden Treasures of Gujarat itinerary. On the fourth day, the train reaches Sasan Gir and tourists will be taken to the forest region via road trip.
After an early morning safari, tourists will be taken to a hotel for refreshment, meal and cultural activities. Authentic tribal dance and music performances are also included in the cultural activities.
Later, tourists will be taken to explore the ancient Somnath temple of 4th century. Enjoying sunset from the temple is an aesthetically pleasing event. Later, tourists will be taken back to the train to continue with the trip to Little Rann of Kutch.
Sasan Gir does not hold an airport within its boundary. The nearest domestic airport is located in Rajkot, which is located 3 ½-hour drive away from the forest region. The nearest international airport is located in Ahmedabad, which is 6 hours away from Sasan Gir.
You can find direct cabs from the airport to the forest region. The nearest railway station is located in Bhanagar, Junagadh and Rajkot. You can find trains from surrounding regions to these areas. From the railway station, you can hire buses or cabs to reach Gir.
The Gir forest region is famous for more than 400 lions and 300 or more leopards. Apart from these big cats, you can spot animals like blue bull, sambar, wild boar, chinkara, jackal, black napped Indian hare, langur and others. You can easily spot crocodiles and other amphibians in this region.
If you love birdwatching, this is the right place to visit. There are more than 250 bird species in this park with more than 50 endangered and lesser-known species. Top species to spot here are sandgrouse, quails, white-browed fantail, flycatcher, greenish warbler, green pigeon, marshal’s iora and many others.
The park is closed between middle of June and middle of October. This is the monsoon season, which makes trekking or sightseeing hard in this region. Safari vehicles find it harder to scale the place during heavy rains.
In addition, this is the breeding season of animals and thus, human population is restricted. Winter starts in October and end in March. The best time to visit the park is between December and March.
The climate will be pleasing and you can spot many birds in this season. If you are looking for spotting large mammals, you should choose the harsh summer climate of April, May and June.
The small water sources inside the forest would have dried up and animals visit the lake with their little ones to quench their thirst. The summer season causes drying of grasses thereby increasing the visibility in the park. It is the best season for photography.
Mango festival or Gir Summer Festival is an important celebration in this region. This festival takes place in April.
Mango exhibition, mango tasting events, cultural activities and folk attractions are common during this festival. This festival stretches for three days.
