There is only one place in the world outside Africa where you can see lions in the wild. It is not a reserve in Central Asia. It is not a zoo or a conservation park somewhere in Europe. It is a forest in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India — and it is called Gir. This was Day 7 of our 8-day Gujarat family road trip.
That single fact is what makes Gir National Park unlike any other wildlife destination in the country. And it is what made this the most anticipated day of our entire Gujarat trip.
Getting to Gir from Somnath
We left our hotel in Somnath after breakfast at around 8 AM. The drive to Gir took approximately one and a half hours, and we reached the Devalia Safari Park gate at around 9:30 AM.
The road from Somnath passes through the Saurashtra landscape — flat, open, and quietly beautiful in the morning light. It is a straightforward drive with no complicated navigation.
Two Very Different Safari Experiences
What most people do not realise is that a visit to Gir actually offers two distinct safari experiences — and they are very different from each other. We did both, and I am glad we did.
Morning Safari — Devalia Safari Park
Our morning safari was at Devalia Safari Park, also known as the Gir Interpretation Zone. This is a fenced enclosure spread over a smaller area within the larger Gir forest.
The key difference here is that lion sightings are guaranteed. The animals within Devalia — lions, leopards, deer, and other wildlife — live within this enclosed zone, and the safari jeep takes you through the area at a controlled pace.
Our safari started at 10 AM and lasted one hour.
We were not disappointed. We came across a family of lions — a lion, a lioness, and their cubs — all sleeping peacefully under a tree. Watching a pride at rest, the cubs curled up against their mother, the lion completely unbothered by the jeeps nearby, was a sight I will not forget easily.
Evening Safari — Gir National Park Open Forest
The evening safari was a completely different experience.
This was in the open forest of Gir National Park — no fences, no guaranteed sightings, and no certainty of what you would or would not see. Safari timings were 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
This is where the real thrill lies. In the open forest, everything depends on your guide’s knowledge, the animals’ movement, and a fair amount of luck.
Fortunately, we had all three.
The Lion Sighting That Made the Trip
Our guide tracked the lions through the forest with quiet confidence — reading the terrain, listening for alarm calls from deer, watching the direction birds flew from. And then, near a waterhole, we found them.
Two young male lions, approximately four years old, napping beside the water. They had clearly just eaten — their bodies relaxed, their breathing slow, utterly indifferent to the line of jeeps that had gathered to watch them.
We stayed with them for about thirty minutes.
And then something happened that nobody was quite prepared for. The two lions stirred, stretched, and began moving — directly towards the jeeps, crossing the path right in front of us, and then starting to play with each other.
For the first ten minutes, when they first appeared, our jeep was completely silent. Everyone was alert, instinctively sitting straighter. It is one thing to know intellectually that lions are large animals. It is another thing entirely to have two four-year-old males walking past you close enough to see their muscles shift under their coat.
And then, as they settled into their play, something relaxed inside all of us. We stopped being startled and started simply watching — tracking their movements, laughing quietly when one of them swatted the other, leaning forward when they paused and looked around.
It is the kind of moment that does not translate fully into photographs. But it stays with you.
During the evening safari we also had a clear sighting of leopards. Our guide explained that these particular leopards are kept within the forest zone because they were man-eaters — animals that had attacked humans in surrounding villages and could not safely be released further. It is an unsettling detail that somehow makes the sighting even more striking.
We also spotted deer and parakeets during the evening safari, and the forest itself — dry, golden, the trees casting long shadows in the late afternoon light — was beautiful in its own right.
Stay — Daksh Resort, Gir
We stayed at Daksh Resort, located close to the Gir forest.
The resort is secluded and surrounded by greenery — exactly what you want after a day in the forest. The rooms were comfortable, the grounds were peaceful, and the overall experience was restful. After six days of packed sightseeing across Gujarat, the chance to simply sit in the quiet of a forest-edge resort was genuinely welcome.
The food was functional — nothing remarkable, but adequate. The real value of Daksh Resort is its location and the calm it offers. If you are visiting Gir, staying close to the forest like this rather than in a larger town makes the experience feel complete.
The Drive Back to Ahmedabad
We left Gir early the next morning, between 8 and 8:30 AM, for the long drive back to Ahmedabad. We had a 6 PM flight to catch, so the day was essentially a travel day.
The route took us through Junagadh and Rajkot. We briefly considered stopping at the Junagadh Fort — it looked worth a visit from the road — but given our flight timing, we made the practical decision to skip it and keep moving. We had lunch somewhere near Rajkot and reached Ahmedabad airport by around 4 PM, comfortably in time for our flight back to Bengaluru.
Devalia Safari Park vs Gir Open Forest — Which Should You Choose?
Both, if you can manage it. They serve completely different purposes.
| Devalia Safari Park | Gir Open Forest | |
| Sighting | Guaranteed | Based on luck and guide skill |
| Environment | Fenced enclosure | Open natural forest |
| Best for | Families, first-timers, photography | Authentic wildlife experience |
| Safari type | Jeep safari | Jeep safari |
| Duration | 1 hour | 3 hours |
If you can only do one, choose the open forest safari for the authentic experience. But if you have a family or want a certain sighting, add Devalia in the morning.
Practical Tips for Gir
Book in advance — both Devalia and open forest safari slots fill up quickly between October and March. Do not leave this to chance.
Use a travel agent or package if doing a multi-destination Gujarat trip — we booked both safaris as part of our Gujarat travel package and had zero hassle on the day.
Carry binoculars if you have them — useful in the open forest where animals may be at a distance initially.
Do not stand up in the jeep during sightings — stay seated and keep noise minimal. The guide will signal when it is safe to photograph.
Early morning is best — animals are more active in cooler temperatures. The morning Devalia safari at 10 AM worked well for us.
Consider skipping Junagadh on the return day if you have a flight — the fort is worth a visit, but not worth missing your flight over. Plan a separate stop if you want to cover it.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
| Location | Sasan Gir, Junagadh District, Gujarat |
| Distance from Somnath | ~65 km (approx. 1.5 hours by road) |
| Distance from Ahmedabad | ~360 km (approx. 5–6 hours by road) |
| Devalia Safari Timings | 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM / 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM |
| Open Forest Safari Timings | 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM / 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM |
| Best Time to Visit | October to March |
| Safari Booking | Online via Gujarat Forest Department website or through a travel agent |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lion sighting guaranteed at Gir National Park? Not in the open forest — sightings depend on the animals’ movement, your guide’s skill, and some luck. However, at Devalia Safari Park, which is a fenced interpretation zone within Gir, lion sightings are guaranteed.
What is the difference between Devalia Safari Park and Gir National Park safari? Devalia is a fenced enclosure with guaranteed sightings and a one-hour jeep safari. The open forest safari at Gir covers a much larger area, lasts three hours, and offers an authentic wildlife experience with no sighting guarantee. Doing both on the same day is highly recommended.
How do I book Gir National Park safari tickets? Safari slots can be booked online through the Gujarat Forest Department website. Alternatively, if you are on a Gujarat travel package, your travel agent will handle this. Advance booking is essential between October and March.
What other animals can be seen at Gir besides lions? Gir is home to leopards, spotted deer, sambar, nilgai, crocodiles, and a wide variety of birds including Indian parakeets, eagles, and kingfishers. Leopard sightings, while less common than lions, are also possible.
Is Gir National Park suitable for families with children? Yes, particularly the Devalia Safari Park which is calmer, shorter, and has guaranteed sightings. Children generally find the experience exciting and manageable. Ensure children remain seated and quiet during the safari.
What is the best time of day to visit Gir for lion sightings? Early morning safaris offer the best chance of sightings as lions are more active in cooler temperatures. The 6 AM open forest safari slot is considered the best for wildlife activity.
How far is Gir from Somnath? Gir is approximately 65 kilometres from Somnath, roughly one and a half hours by road — making it an easy continuation on a Saurashtra road trip itinerary.
More from our Gujarat Road Trip:
- Porbandar & Somnath – Gandhi’s Birthplace and the Eternal Temple
- Dwarka Travel Guide – Dwarkadhish Temple, Bet Dwarka & Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
- Gujarat Road Trip – Honest Thoughts, Trip Costs and What I Would Do Differently
This post is part of our Gujarat family road trip series. Read the complete itinerary here: Gujarat in 8 Days – A Family Road Trip Across the Land of Legends
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