Last Lions of Gir

Gir National Park, Gujarat · India

Easy3 daysAsia~£550 est.

Save ✓ I did this

Overview

The world's only wild Asiatic lions live in one dry teak forest in Gujarat, and seeing them feels different from Africa: a lioness and grown cubs sprawled on the sandy bed of the Hiran river, shorter-maned, slighter, and sharing their forest with Maldhari buffalo herders who walk these tracks daily. From a few hundred animals a century ago the population has climbed steadily — a conservation recovery you can sit in an open Gypsy and watch. Drives run at dawn and mid-afternoon from Sasan Gir village, and the permit is the crux: slots are capped and released online 90 days ahead, selling out around weekends and Indian holidays instantly. If you miss out, the Devalia interpretation zone offers a fallback sighting, but the real forest is the point. Beyond lions there are leopards, chowsingha, chinkara and 300-odd bird species. December to March is dry, bright and comfortable; April and May are scorching but excellent for sightings; the park closes mid-June to mid-October for the monsoon. Fly to Rajkot or Diu, then drive two to three hours. Three days with permits, Gypsy hire, guide and a lodge costs roughly £500–£650.