- Book official Gir Jungle Trail E-permits ONLY at girlion.gujarat.gov.in — up to 90 days in advance. Third-party sites are unauthorized.
- Park season: 16 October to 15 June every year. Core forest is CLOSED during monsoon (16 June – 15 October).
- Three daily safari shifts: Morning-1 (6:00 AM – 9:00 AM), Morning-2 (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM), Evening (3:00 PM – 6:00 PM).
- Report at Sinh Sadan Forest Reception minimum 30 minutes before your shift with ORIGINAL Govt. Photo ID (Aadhaar/Passport/Voter ID).
- Each open Gypsy carries max 6 Adults + 1 Child (3-12 yrs) with 1 certified Forest Driver + 1 Forest Guide.
- Gir National Park spans 1,412 sq.km — home to 674+ Asiatic Lions (2020 census), 300+ birds, mugger crocodiles & leopards.
📸 Majestic Asiatic Lion pride resting near the Hiran River in Sasan Gir National Park
1. Gir National Park: Last Refuge of the Asiatic Lion
Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary is the ONLY place in the world outside Africa where you can see a wild lion. Spanning 1,412 square kilometers of dry deciduous forest in Saurashtra, Gujarat, Gir is home to 674+ Asiatic Lions (as per the 2020 Gujarat Forest Dept. census), Indian Leopards, Striped Hyenas, Jungle Cats, 300+ bird species, and the world's largest population of Mugger Crocodiles. The Gujarat Forest Department manages 13 designated core safari routes called the "Gir Jungle Trail" to protect the ecosystem while offering controlled wildlife tourism.
2. Official E-Permit Booking: Step-by-Step Process
OFFICIAL BOOKING WEBSITE: https://girlion.gujarat.gov.in (managed by GSLCS - Gujarat State Level Council Secretariat). Step 1: Register with your Name, Mobile & Email. Step 2: Select "Gir Jungle Trail" as the Safari Type. Step 3: Choose your preferred Date & Shift (Morning-1 / Morning-2 / Evening). Step 4: Enter all passenger details with Govt. Photo ID numbers. Step 5: Pay online (Net Banking / Credit/Debit Card / UPI). Step 6: Download & Print your E-Permit. You can book permits up to 90 days in advance. During peak season (Dec-May), book 30-60 days ahead as permits sell out quickly.
📸 Official Gujarat Forest Department online permit portal for Gir Jungle Trail
📸 Golden morning light over Gir forest canopy — the best time for lion sightings
3. Safari Shifts & Timings 2026-27
SHIFT 1 - MORNING (Best for Sightings): 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM — Lions most active post-nocturnal hunting. Prides visit waterholes at Hiran and Shetrunji rivers. SHIFT 2 - MID-MORNING: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM — Good for birdwatching, chital herds, and leopard sightings on forest edges. SHIFT 3 - EVENING (Best for Photography): 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM — Golden hour lighting, lions active again before nightfall, herds of blue bulls and spotted deer visible. Each shift covers approximately 20-25 km of designated forest trails in open 4x4 Gypsy vehicles.
📸 Sinh Sadan Forest Office — mandatory check-in point for all Gir Jungle Trail safaris
4. Sinh Sadan Forest Reception: Your Safari Hub
ALL Gir Jungle Trail safaris MUST start from Sinh Sadan Forest Reception Campus, Sasan Gir (Near Hiran River, Junagadh District). Arrive at least 30 MINUTES BEFORE your shift time with ORIGINAL physical Govt. Photo ID (NO PHOTOCOPIES OR DIGITAL COPIES ACCEPTED). At Sinh Sadan: (1) Submit E-permit printout for verification. (2) Present original ID cards for ALL adult passengers. (3) Wait for computerized route & Gypsy allotment. (4) Board your assigned certified forest Gypsy. Each Gypsy is equipped with a certified Forest Department driver and a wildlife guide (Naturalist).
5. 13 Designated Jungle Trail Routes
The Gujarat Forest Department has designated 13 core routes inside Gir National Park. Route allotment is computerized at Sinh Sadan to ensure equitable track distribution and minimize pressure on any single zone. Popular routes include: Route 1-4 (Hiran River Basin — prime lion zones), Route 5-7 (Kamleshwar Dam Loop — crocodiles, storks, birds), Route 8-10 (Deep teak forest — leopard & hyena zone), Route 11-13 (Savannah meadows — nilgai, sambar, chowsingha). Lions have been sighted on ALL 13 routes; Route 1-4 has highest sighting probability in morning shifts.
📸 Open Gypsy traversing the teakwood corridor on Route 4 of Gir Jungle Trail
Complete Fee Structure 2026-27 (Official Rates)
“INDIAN NATIONALS: Safari E-Permit (per Gypsy, 6-seater): ₹800 (Mon-Fri) | ₹1,000 (Sat/Sun/Holidays). Forest Guide Fee: ₹400 per trip (paid at Sinh Sadan). Forest Gypsy Hire: ₹2,000-₹2,500 per trip (paid locally). Total Approx. for 6 Indians: ₹3,200-₹3,900. FOREIGN NATIONALS: Safari E-Permit: ₹7,600 (Weekdays) | ₹9,500 (Weekends). Guide + Gypsy: Similar local charges apply. Children under 5 years: FREE. Children 5-12 years: 50% discount. All payments via official portal only for E-permits.”
📸 Spotted Deer (Chital) herd near Kamleshwar waterhole — abundant throughout Gir
7. Wildlife of Gir National Park
MAMMALS: 674+ Asiatic Lions | Indian Leopard | Striped Hyena | Jungle Cat | Golden Jackal | Indian Fox | Chital (Spotted Deer) | Sambar | Nilgai | Indian Wild Boar | Indian Porcupine | Indian Pangolin. REPTILES: Indian Marsh Crocodile (Mugger) — 2,500+ in Kamleshwar reservoir | Russell's Viper | Rat Snake | Indian Rock Python. BIRDS: 300+ species including Crested Serpent Eagle | Changeable Hawk-Eagle | Brown Fish Owl | Asian Paradise Flycatcher | Indian Pitta | 4 Kingfisher species | White-necked Stork | Painted Stork | Eurasian Griffon Vulture.
8. Mandatory Forest Rules & Wildlife Etiquette
“MANDATORY RULES (Violation = Legal Penalty): (1) NEVER step out of your Gypsy inside the forest. (2) Absolute NO PLASTIC — Gir is a zero-plastic sanctuary. (3) NO flash photography — strictly prohibited to protect animal vision. (4) NO feeding animals — ₹5,000 fine. (5) Maintain SILENCE near animals — no shouting or whistling. (6) Wear earthy colors: khaki, olive, brown, grey (avoid white, bright red, neon). (7) Mobile phones on SILENT MODE inside forest. (8) Do NOT litter inside sanctuary — carry all waste back. (9) Minimum age for safari: 3 years with valid permit for children.”
9. Best Season to Visit Sasan Gir
PEAK SEASON (Dec-Feb): Best weather (20-28°C). Crisp mornings, golden lighting, migratory birds present, lions active near waterholes. Book 45-90 days in advance. SHOULDER SEASON (Oct-Nov & Mar-May): Excellent for sightings as forest thins in summer and lions more visible near water. Summer (Mar-May, 35-42°C) offers highest sighting probability. MONSOON (Jun 16 - Oct 15): Core jungle trails CLOSED. Only Devalia Safari Park remains open (except Wednesdays).
📸 October to May is the prime season for visiting Sasan Gir National Park
Sasan Gir Jungle Safari Quick Reference Checklist:
Before You Go:
What to Carry:
Safari Duration: Approximately 3 hours per shift (20-25 km forest trail)
Official Contact: Sinh Sadan Forest Reception, Sasan Gir, Talala, Junagadh — 362135, Gujarat Official Booking: https://girlion.gujarat.gov.in Forest Office Phone: +91-2877-285540
Related Experiences & Sasan Gir Stays
Frequently Asked Questions
The ONLY official website for Gir Jungle Trail safari booking is https://girlion.gujarat.gov.in — managed by the Gujarat State Level Council Secretariat (GSLCS) under the Gujarat Forest Department. Avoid all third-party websites that claim to offer "confirmed permits" as they are unauthorized.
You can book up to 90 days in advance. During peak season (December to May), it is strongly recommended to book 45-90 days ahead as permits sell out quickly, especially for morning shifts on weekends and during Diwali, Christmas, and school holidays.
YES — carrying the ORIGINAL physical Government Photo ID (Aadhaar Card, Passport, or Voter ID) is MANDATORY for every adult passenger. Photocopies, screenshots, or digital copies on phones are NOT accepted. Entry will be denied without original documents.
Each registered safari Gypsy accommodates a maximum of 6 adults and 1 child (between 3-12 years of age), plus 1 certified Forest Department driver and 1 registered wildlife guide. Infants below 3 years are not permitted inside the core forest.
The core Gir Jungle Trail is CLOSED annually during the monsoon breeding season from June 16 to October 15. However, Devalia Safari Park (Gir Interpretation Zone), located 12 km from Sasan Gir, remains open year-round except on Wednesdays.
The Morning Shift-1 (6:00 AM – 9:00 AM) has the highest lion sighting probability. Lions are most active just after dawn as prides conclude nocturnal territorial patrols and visit natural waterholes along the Hiran and Shetrunji rivers. Early morning also offers best photography lighting.
According to the 2020 Gujarat Forest Department census, Gir National Park and its surrounding protected landscape are home to 674 Asiatic Lions — up from 523 in 2015. This is a remarkable conservation success story and the ONLY wild population of Asiatic Lions in the world.
No. Private vehicles are NOT permitted inside the core Gir National Park forest area. Only registered Forest Department Gypsies with certified drivers and guides are allowed on the 13 designated jungle trail routes. This is strictly enforced to protect both wildlife and visitor safety.
Kishor Chavda
Senior Gir Safari Lead & Chief Naturalist, Sasan Gir
Dedicated wildlife naturalist providing safari regulations, Asiatic lion tracking advice, and verified Gujarat travel coordination.