Gir National Park, Gujarat

• Location: Gujarat
• Major Places to See: Asiatic Lion, Indian Leopards, Sloth bears, Jungle cats and Striped Hyenas.
• Other Places to Visit: Girnar, Asiatic Lion, Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Nearby Tourist Destinations: Tulsishyam and Kankai Mata.
• Best Time to Visit: Mid - October onwards till mid June

Located in one of the most flourishing states of India, Gujarat, the Gir National Park is one of the most wonderful wildlife parks of the world. It stretches over an area of about 1,414 sq.kms. The tourist zone of the park is divided into two: the wildlife sanctuary and the protected area. The main attractions of the park are the Great Asiatic Lions which are believed to have been rehabilitated here. The beautiful sanctuary was established in the year 1965 and the forest area was then declared reserved.

gir national park gujarat

The Gir national park is profusely green and dense, it homes several endangered flora and fauna species that have to be protected and rehabilitated. Apart from the Asiatic lions other important animal species of the park are: black-napped Indian hare, porcupine, blue bull or the Nilgai, spotted deer or the chital, leopard and sambar, langur, rusty-spotted cat and the jungle cat, striped hyena, jackal, wild boar, Indian gazelle or Chinkara and the chousingha, the only four-horned antelope. The Kamleshwar Damn of the park inhabits a minor population of the mugger or the marsh crocodile. There are about 40 species of incredibly rare amphibians and reptiles. There are enormous bird species out of which most are migratory. Out of about 250 that are spotted there the most prominent ones are: nightjars, spotted owlet, Eurasian eagle owl, brown fish owl and the white-eyed buzzard, oriental honey-buzzard, red-headed falcon, the laggar falcon, peregrine falcon, osprey, the grey-headed fish eagle, palla's fish, imperial, steppe, the tawny, lesser spotted, greater spotted, bonneli's, crested serpent, changeable hawk eagle completes the list.

The landscape of Gir National Park of India consists of low hills, dredged with mixed deciduous trees like Teak, Acacia, Jamun, Tendu and Dhak. Large patches of grasslands are intermittently spread all across the park. The stretch that runs parallel to the gushing water streams is a calm and composed place to unwind. The flora species found there in abundance are Jambu, Karanj, Umro, Vad, Kalam, Charal, Sirus and Amli trees. The periphery of Gir Wildlife Park is planted with Prosopis and Casuarinas.

In the embrace of the lush green valleys, the Gir national park has amazing serenity and exoticness with a lifetime experience of meeting the wildest creatures you may have never imagined. Your tour to India must include a visit to this remarkably distinct forest and wildlife reserve. Most India tour operators include a trip to this wonderful reserve of the rarest creations of the almighty on earth.