With its dramatically changing landscape shaped by the seasons, rich experience of local culture and the serenity of nature all around, Sasan Gir forest is the place to explore for travellers who enjoy a well-rounded experience of a destination. The last habitat of the Asiatic lion, the Sasan Gir forest is of the dry-deciduous type, and its ecosystem supports a variety of large and small animals, birds, and insects.
There are different seasons for different experiences, and depending on what you seek on your travels, here are the best things to do during your visit:
Winters In Sasan Gir Forest Are Lion Safari Times: November To February
This is the time when the Gir National Park is open to visitors with an opportunity to spot the majestic lions of Sasan Gir. With the temperature varying between 13 degrees to 32 degrees, it is pleasant throughout the day and animals too can be spotted more easily. The forest retains its winter foliage and the green combined with the bracing weather is a great time to be here.
To visit the Sasan Gir lion safari you’ll have to make a safari booking on the official Gir National Park booking portal . Apart from the lions, the wildlife safari in gir is also a great time to watch out for leopards, wild cats, sloth bears, hyenas, nilgai, spotted deer, wild boar and marsh crocodiles. It’s also a birdwatchers’ delight with vultures, kingfishers, egrets, storks, minivets, flycatchers, owls, nightjars, and ducks. Many migratory birds fly here for winter. The Gir Interpretation Zone also, known as the Devaliya National Park is also a popular family destination, especially when travelling with children.
Monsoons in Sasan Gir are transformational: June to October
As the rains sweep through the region, they leave behind in their wake a forest that is blooming. Lush and green, this is a good place if you’re looking to spend some quiet, quality time by yourself or with a few friends. Though the main attraction, the Gir National Park is closed during the monsoons, Sasan Gir is still a stunningly beautiful place to observe the transformation of a place from summer to monsoon. Book a snug Stays at Woods At Sasan and watch the rains breathe life into the landscape.
Summers In Sasan Gir Are For Heat Lovers: March To May
With temperatures veering between 28 degrees to 42 degrees, summers can be a scorching affair. If you decide to visit then, it’s best to finish with any forest trails or bird-watching outings by 11 am and spend the day indoors up to 5 pm, when it gets somewhat cooler and quite pleasant through the night.
Summers here do have some pleasant surprises in store, the chief among them being the famous Gir mango. Known for its lush sweetness, the Gir mango is a worthy draw for a summer visit. First grown in Gir in 1931 by Wazir Sale Bhai of Junagadh, the seventy-five grafts from which this delicious fruit began, have grown to be a prominent crop in the Amreli and Junagadh districts of Gujarat, and now have their GI tag.
Apart from its natural beauty, Sasan Gir has a rich local culture. There are the Maldharis, a nomadic tribe of herders who roam through the forest and have for centuries in amity with the animals. Weddings in their community are held on the day of Janmashtami every year – a mega gathering of all the members. The Siddis are a tribe who trace their origins to the Bantu peoples from the east coast of sub-Saharan Africa and their Dhamaal dance is an energetic showcase of their strength and agility. For history buffs, the city of Junagadh with its many archaeological sites is a must-see as is the famed Somnath temple.
Sunrise & Owl picture credits: Aman Sharma.
