- Devalia Safari Park is a 412-hectare fenced wildlife zone — a "safe sample" of the larger Gir ecosystem with GUARANTEED lion sightings.
- Open ALL days EXCEPT Wednesdays (weekly forest maintenance & animal health inspection day).
- Two daily shifts: Morning (8:00 AM – 11:00 AM) & Evening (3:00 PM – 5:00 PM / 6:00 PM seasonally).
- Open Gypsy hire: ₹1,600 for full vehicle (6 adults max). Mandatory forest guide: ₹400 per trip.
- Unlike core Gir Jungle Trail, Devalia remains open YEAR-ROUND including during monsoon season.
- Book in advance at girlion.gujarat.gov.in — especially for weekends and holiday periods.
📸 Devalia Gir Interpretation Zone — a fenced 412-hectare wildlife sanctuary with guaranteed Asiatic lion sightings
1. What is Devalia Safari Park (Gir Interpretation Zone)?
Devalia Safari Park, officially named the "Gir Interpretation Zone — Devalia," is a 412-hectare fenced wildlife sanctuary located approximately 12 km from Sasan Gir village. It was established by the Gujarat Forest Department as an "Interpretation Zone" — a curated sample of the larger Gir ecosystem that gives visitors a guaranteed, controlled wildlife experience. Unlike the open core Gir Jungle Trail (which spans 1,412 sq.km), Devalia houses a managed population of Asiatic Lions, Indian Leopards, Spotted Deer, Chinkara, and other wildlife within its perimeter fence, ensuring nearly 100% sighting probability during every visit.
2. Official Booking Process for Devalia Gypsy Safari
OFFICIAL BOOKING SITE: https://girlion.gujarat.gov.in (Gujarat Forest Dept. / GSLCS Portal). WARNING: Many private websites appear in searches claiming official booking — they are UNAUTHORIZED and charge extra service fees. HOW TO BOOK: (1) Visit girlion.gujarat.gov.in. (2) Select "Devalia Interpretation Zone" → Choose "Gypsy Safari". (3) Select your preferred Date & Time Slot. (4) Enter all passenger details with Govt. Photo ID numbers. (5) Pay online — E-permit issued immediately. (6) Print E-permit & carry ORIGINAL ID for all adults. Book up to 90 days in advance. Weekend slots fill fast — book early!
📸 Official Gujarat Forest Department permit portal — the only authorized booking channel
📸 Sunrise at Devalia Safari Park — morning slots offer the best lion activity and photography light
3. Devalia Gypsy Safari Timings 2026-27
OPERATIONAL DAYS: Open all days EXCEPT Wednesdays (closed for maintenance & animal welfare). MORNING SHIFT: 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM (departures every 30-45 minutes). EVENING SHIFT: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM (Winter: Oct-Feb) | 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM (Summer: Mar-Jun). YEAR-ROUND: Unlike the Gir Jungle Trail which closes June 16 to Oct 15, Devalia remains open during monsoon season too — making it the only option for wildlife tourism during rainy season. Each Gypsy safari at Devalia covers the entire 412-hectare zone in approximately 50-60 minutes.
📸 Asiatic lion pride at Devalia — virtually guaranteed sightings every safari visit
4. Wildlife You'll See at Devalia — Complete List
CARNIVORES (Guaranteed): Asiatic Lion (resident pride with cubs visible year-round) | Indian Leopard (spotted during dawn/dusk). HERBIVORES (Abundant): Spotted Deer / Chital (large herds) | Nilgai / Blue Bull | Chinkara (Indian Gazelle) | Indian Wild Boar | Sambar Deer. BIRDS: 200+ species including Crested Serpent Eagle | Peacock | Painted Stork | Indian Roller | Kingfishers. REPTILES: Monitor Lizard | Indian Rock Python | Russell's Viper. The fenced design ensures all animals stay within viewing range, dramatically increasing sighting probability compared to open wildlife areas.
5. Complete Fee Structure — Devalia Gypsy Safari 2026-27
“GYPSY SAFARI (per full vehicle, max 6 Adults + 1 Child): Open Gypsy Hire: ₹1,600 (fixed Government rate). Forest Guide Fee: ₹400 per trip (paid directly to certified guide). Entry Permit Fee (if applicable): Check girlion.gujarat.gov.in for current rates. FOR COMPARISON — BUS SAFARI (per person): ₹150 (Indian weekdays) | ₹190 (weekends/festivals). FOREIGN NATIONALS: ₹3,800 (weekdays) | ₹4,750 (weekends). TOTAL APPROXIMATE for 6 Indian adults (Gypsy): ₹2,000-₹2,500 including guide. Children under 5: FREE. Aadhaar-linked ID mandatory for all bookings.”
6. Devalia Gypsy vs Core Gir Jungle Trail: Key Differences
DEVALIA GYPSY SAFARI: Area: 412 hectares (fenced). Duration: 50-60 minutes. Sighting Guarantee: Nearly 100%. Open: Year-round (except Wednesdays). Cost: ₹1,600 Gypsy + ₹400 guide. Best for: Families, first-timers, elderly, monsoon visitors. GIR JUNGLE TRAIL: Area: 1,412 sq.km (open wilderness). Duration: 3 hours (20-25 km). Sighting Chance: 70-85% for lions. Open: Oct 16 – Jun 15. Cost: ₹800-₹1,000 permit + ₹400 guide + ₹2,000+ Gypsy. Best for: Wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, adventure lovers. RECOMMENDATION: Do BOTH — morning Jungle Trail + afternoon Devalia Gypsy for the complete Gir wildlife experience!
📸 Open Gypsy safari — the premium option for both Devalia and Jungle Trail experiences
📸 Devalia Safari Park entrance gate, 12 km from Sasan Gir village on the Sasan-Visavadar Highway
8. How to Reach Devalia Safari Park
ADDRESS: Devalia Safari Park (Gir Interpretation Zone), Devalia Village, Sasan Gir, Talala Taluka, Junagadh District, Gujarat — 362135. FROM SASAN GIR VILLAGE: 12 km (20-minute drive via Sasan-Visavadar State Highway). FROM VERAVAL: 65 km (1.5 hours by road). FROM JUNAGADH: 70 km (1.5-2 hours by road). FROM AHMEDABAD: 380 km (5-6 hours). NEAREST RAILWAY STATION: Sasan Gir Railway Station (5 km from Sasan village) or Junagadh Junction. NEAREST AIRPORT: Diu Airport (75 km) or Rajkot Airport (165 km). Local autos, jeeps & taxis available from Sasan Gir village to Devalia.
Devalia Gypsy Safari Quick Reference:
Official Booking: https://girlion.gujarat.gov.in → Select "Devalia Interpretation Zone" → "Gypsy Safari"
Key Facts:
What to Carry:
Pro Tip: Book the 8:00 AM morning slot — lions are most active at dawn and the lighting is perfect for photography!
Related Experiences & Sasan Gir Stays
Frequently Asked Questions
YES — Devalia Safari Park (Gir Interpretation Zone) is open throughout the year including during the monsoon season (June 16 to October 15), when the core Gir Jungle Trail is closed. It is closed only on Wednesdays every week for maintenance and animal welfare checks.
At Devalia Safari Park, you have two vehicle options: (1) Open Gypsy Safari — an open 4x4 jeep for max 6 adults at ₹1,600 for the entire vehicle. Offers a more personal, immersive experience with better photography opportunities. (2) Bus Safari — AC/non-AC Forest Department mini-bus at ₹150-₹190 per person. Cheaper but less intimate. Both cover the same 412-hectare route with similar wildlife sighting chances.
While the Forest Department cannot make a 100% guarantee as this is a wildlife sanctuary with free-roaming animals, the sighting probability at Devalia is extremely high (95%+) due to its fenced 412-hectare design. Resident lion prides with cubs are a permanent fixture of the Devalia zone and are seen on almost every single safari visit.
A Devalia Gypsy Safari typically takes 50 to 60 minutes to cover the entire 412-hectare interpretation zone route. This is significantly shorter than the core Gir Jungle Trail (3 hours). It is ideal for families, elderly visitors, and those short on time who still want guaranteed wildlife sightings.
Yes, absolutely! Many wildlife enthusiasts do both on the same day. Book the 6:00 AM Morning Shift for Gir Jungle Trail (returns by 9 AM), rest in the afternoon, then take the Devalia Gypsy Safari at 3:00 PM. This gives you the complete Gir wildlife experience — wild jungle tracking + guaranteed lion close-ups!
Pooja Vaghela
Gujarat Eco-Tourism Coordinator & Wildlife Guide Trainer
Dedicated wildlife naturalist providing safari regulations, Asiatic lion tracking advice, and verified Gujarat travel coordination.