- Ambardi Safari Park is located near Dhari, Amreli District — 7 km from Dhari town, 140 km from Rajkot Airport.
- Official name: Ambardi Wildlife Interpretation Zone. Established: 2017. Area: 365 hectares of savannah forest.
- Closed every TUESDAY (weekly maintenance). Open all other days year-round.
- Safari Format: CLOSED mini-buses operated by the Forest Department (not open Gypsies like Gir).
- Multiple daily slots: Morning (8-11 AM) and Evening (3-6 PM) with hourly sub-slots.
- Wildlife: Asiatic Lions, Indian Leopards, Chinkara (Indian Gazelle), Nilgai, Spotted Deer, monitor lizards, 200+ bird species.
- Book via official Gujarat Forest Department portal: girlion.gujarat.gov.in
📸 Ambardi Wildlife Interpretation Zone — savannah-style landscape in Amreli District, eastern Gir ecosystem
1. Ambardi Safari Park: Gujarat's Eastern Gir Wildlife Zone
Ambardi Safari Park, officially named "Ambardi Wildlife Interpretation Zone," was established in 2017 by the Gujarat Forest Department as a managed wildlife sanctuary connected to the eastern extension of the Gir ecosystem. Spanning approximately 365 hectares of savannah-style dry deciduous forest near Dhari in Amreli District, it serves as a secondary conservation zone after the main Sasan Gir National Park and Devalia Interpretation Zone. The park provides a controlled environment for Asiatic Lions and Indian Leopards from the broader Gir landscape, offering a wildlife safari experience in the lesser-explored eastern belt of Saurashtra — away from the tourist crowds of Sasan Gir.
2. Location & How to Reach Ambardi Safari Park
ADDRESS: Ambardi Safari Park, Near Khodiyar Dam, Dhari Taluka, Amreli District, Gujarat — 365640. DISTANCE FROM MAJOR CITIES: From Amreli City: 45 km (1 hour). From Dhari Town: 7 km (15 minutes). From Rajkot: 140 km (2.5 hours). From Junagadh: 85 km (1.5 hours). From Sasan Gir: 70 km (1.5 hours). From Ahmedabad: 290 km (4 hours). BY ROAD: Via Amreli-Dhari-Kodinar State Highway. Well-connected by road; taxis and jeeps available from Dhari town. NEAREST RAILWAY: Amreli Railway Station (45 km). NEAREST AIRPORT: Rajkot Airport (140 km) or Bhavnagar Airport (130 km).
📸 Route map to Ambardi Safari Park — accessible via Amreli-Dhari-Kodinar state highway
📸 Gujarat Forest Department portal — book Ambardi safari slots up to 90 days in advance
3. Official Booking & Permit Process
OFFICIAL BOOKING: https://girlion.gujarat.gov.in (Gujarat Forest Dept. / GSLCS Online Booking Portal). STEPS: (1) Visit the official portal. (2) Select "Ambardi Interpretation Zone" from the safari options. (3) Choose your Date & Preferred Time Slot. (4) Enter passenger details with Govt. Photo ID numbers. (5) Pay online — Aadhaar-linked payment accepted. (6) Download & print E-permit. ON-SPOT: Limited walk-in slots may be available on weekdays but are never guaranteed. IMPORTANT: Carry original Govt. Photo ID (Aadhaar/Passport/Voter ID) — NO photocopies. Report at safari gate at least 15-30 minutes before your booked slot.
📸 Morning safari at Ambardi — the 8-9 AM slot is best for active lion and bird sightings
4. Ambardi Safari Timings 2026-27
OPERATIONAL DAYS: All days EXCEPT Tuesdays (weekly maintenance & animal welfare day). MORNING SLOTS: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. EVENING SLOTS: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM. BEST SLOT: 8:00 AM slot for maximum wildlife activity, especially Asiatic Lions and birds. The 5-6 PM evening slot is excellent for golden-hour photography and active predator movement. Each safari session is approximately 45-60 minutes inside the interpretation zone via Forest Department mini-bus.
5. Wildlife of Ambardi Sanctuary
CARNIVORES: Asiatic Lion (resident pride from eastern Gir corridor) | Indian Leopard | Striped Hyena | Jungle Cat | Indian Fox. HERBIVORES: Chinkara / Indian Gazelle (highlight species — large population) | Nilgai / Blue Bull | Spotted Deer / Chital | Indian Wild Boar | Indian Porcupine. REPTILES: Indian Monitor Lizard (Goh) | Common Indian Rat Snake | Russell's Viper. BIRDS: 200+ species including Indian Roller | Paradise Flycatcher | Woodpeckers (Indian Pygmy, Black-rumped Flame) | Flycatchers | Birds of Prey (raptors) | Common Kingfisher | Peacock | Red-wattled Lapwing.
📸 Asiatic Lion from the eastern Gir population — a resident of Ambardi Interpretation Zone
6. Entry Fee & Ticket Prices — Ambardi Safari Park 2026-27
“SAFARI FORMAT: Closed Forest Department mini-bus (not open Gypsy). TICKET PRICE: Approximately ₹250 per person for Indian nationals (verify current rate on girlion.gujarat.gov.in as fees may vary by season/weekday). FOREIGN NATIONALS: Significantly higher rates — check official portal. CHILDREN: Under 5 years typically FREE | 5-12 years at 50% discount. GUIDE CHARGES: Forest guide accompanies every bus (included in ticket price). Compared to Sasan Gir and Devalia, Ambardi is one of the most affordable wildlife safari options in Gujarat — perfect for budget travellers and school/college groups.”
📸 Forest Department mini-bus — the official safari vehicle at Ambardi Interpretation Zone
7. Safari Experience & Mini-Bus Format
Unlike the open Gypsies at Sasan Gir and Devalia, Ambardi Safari Park uses Forest Department closed mini-buses for all wildlife safaris. While this limits the open-air experience, it makes the safari significantly more comfortable for elderly visitors, young children, and travelers during the hot summer months. The bus route covers the major wildlife zones of the 365-hectare sanctuary, stopping at key wildlife viewing points. Forest naturalists on board provide live commentary on animal behavior, local flora, and ecosystem facts. Photography is permitted through windows — carry a lens with minimum f/4 or f/5.6 aperture for adequate light.
8. Expert Tips for the Best Ambardi Safari Experience
“TIP 1: Book the 8:00 AM MORNING SLOT — Lions are most active in early morning before heat sets in. TIP 2: Carry BINOCULARS — Chinkara and birds are often spotted at distance across the open savannah. TIP 3: Avoid bright colors — even inside a bus, wearing earthy tones (khaki, brown, olive) reduces animal disturbance. TIP 4: SILENCE IS GOLDEN — Guide will ask you to keep quiet near wildlife sightings. TIP 5: Combine with Sasan Gir or Devalia for a complete Gir experience — Ambardi offers a quieter, less crowded alternative to the main tourist zones. TIP 6: Best season is October to March for pleasant weather and active wildlife.”
Ambardi Safari Park Quick Reference:
Official Booking: https://girlion.gujarat.gov.in → Select "Ambardi Interpretation Zone"
Key Facts:
Distances:
Related Experiences & Sasan Gir Stays
Frequently Asked Questions
Ambardi Safari Park (officially: Ambardi Wildlife Interpretation Zone) is located near Khodiyar Dam, Dhari Taluka, Amreli District, Gujarat — PIN 365640. It is approximately 7 km from Dhari town, 45 km from Amreli city, 140 km from Rajkot Airport, and 70 km from Sasan Gir village.
Ambardi Safari Park is closed every TUESDAY for weekly maintenance and animal welfare inspections. It is open on all other 6 days of the week throughout the year.
Unlike the open Gypsies used at Sasan Gir Jungle Trail and Devalia, Ambardi Safari Park uses Forest Department closed mini-buses for all safaris. This makes it more comfortable for elderly visitors, young children, and those visiting during the hot summer months, though it limits the open-air experience.
Ambardi Safari Park is home to Asiatic Lions (from the eastern Gir corridor), Indian Leopards, Chinkara (Indian Gazelle, a highlight species), Nilgai (Blue Bull), Spotted Deer, Indian Wild Boar, Monitor Lizards, and 200+ bird species including raptors, woodpeckers, and flycatchers. It is particularly known for its large Chinkara population — one of the best in Gujarat.
Yes, Ambardi Safari Park is generally open year-round including during the monsoon season (June-October), unlike the core Gir Jungle Trail which closes annually from June 16 to October 15. Check the official portal for any temporary monsoon closures or restrictions during heavy rainfall periods.
Ambardi is smaller (365 hectares vs 1,412 sq.km for Gir and 412 hectares for Devalia) and uses closed buses rather than open Gypsies. It is generally less crowded than Sasan Gir and Devalia, making it a quieter, more intimate wildlife experience. It is also one of the most affordable safari options in Gujarat. Best experienced as part of a broader Saurashtra wildlife circuit.
Rajesh Gohil
Wildlife Naturalist & Amreli District Tourism Consultant
Dedicated wildlife naturalist providing safari regulations, Asiatic lion tracking advice, and verified Gujarat travel coordination.