Gir National Park is one of India’s best-known wildlife destinations. The park holds the rare honor of being the only wildlife sanctuary with a significant Asian lion population. Hence, visitors from all over the country and worldwide visit this place in large numbers to see these beautiful big cats.
You will find several ways to enjoy Gir National Park’s magic. From taking a jungle safari to exploring souvenir shops inside the park, there’s something for everyone. On exploration, you’ll also find that the park is filled with religious sentiment, historical significance, unique tribal culture, and much more. Gir’s attractions integrate all of these components elegantly.
List of Popular Things to Do in Gir National Park
Besides sightseeing unique fauna, including several endangered species, the park offers many engaging activities to keep you and your family or friends occupied while on vacation. These will surely enhance your overall wildlife travel experience.
Gir National Park Jungle Safari
Gir National Park offers the Gir Jungle Trail Safari and the GIZ Devalia Safari, which are two different safaris. GIZ stands for “Gir Interpretation Zone, ” a region designated as a clear ecotourism area where visitors can see lions.
Undeniably, it’s always fascinating and fun to go on a safari where you can see big cats in their natural habitat. Gir safaris, which include Asiatic lions, are exhilarating as you observe the untamed, savage great cats. The Gir Interpretation Zone is also ideal for a lion safari because it has the highest population density.
The safari is conducted twice daily, once between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. and once in the afternoon between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Therefore, only six people may fit in each Jeep at once.
Birdwatching at Gir National Park
The entire region of Gir National Park and Sanctuary is famous for its diverse avifauna. This is particularly so because blooming riparian vegetation creates a favorable ecosystem for avifauna species. (Riparian vegetation comprises plant communities that grow laterally to rivers and streams.)
In addition, Gir National Park and Sanctuary include a range of habitats, including ponds, steep hills, cliffs, and grasslands, which are the best of birds, both resident and migratory. There are over 350 species of avifauna in this area.
This includes vultures, storks, barbets, woodpeckers, flycatchers, cormorants, ducks, kingfishers, herons, egrets, and many other birds of prey. Generally, the big cat’s overwhelming presence draws people’s attention away from the sanctuary’s fantastic bird population. However, the birds of Gir National Park and Sanctuary did attract the attention of the eminent ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali, who said that the region would have been one of the fascinating bird sanctuaries of the country if it weren’t for the Asiatic lions.
Also Check out Popular Tadoba Wildlife Tour Packages
Shopping in Gir
When visiting Sasan Gir, you can purchase a few traditional handicrafts and other locally produced goods. The entire state of Gujarat is known for its Patola silk saris and traditional Ghagra-Choli bandhani.
The shops of the nearby towns and in the large city, which is close by, sell traditional handicrafts and textiles, wall hangings, marriage costumes, cradle clothes, embroidered, appliquéd quilts, cloth toys, lacquer furniture, embroidered footwear, and trinkets. Most of Gujarat has an abundance of authentic handicrafts. Located 150 km from Sasan Gir, the famous city of Rajkot allows residents to “shop ’til they drop” because of the abundance of shopping centers.
There are many other handmade items, including wall hangings and cradle clothes. Additionally, you won’t need to travel far because there are stalls at the entry/exit gate. It is unfair for a traveler like you to visit Gujarat without purchasing locally-made handicrafts. So spend joyous time away from the National Park’s entrance and buy beautiful works of art for your family and yourself.
Attend Dangs Darbar Tribal festival in Gujarat
Dangs Darbar, celebrated a few days before Holi, is a significant Gujarati tribe holiday. It is a tribal festival to remember the ancestors of the five Gadhavi, Pimpri, Amala-Linga, Vasurana, and Daher monarchs. The festival continued to be celebrated after India’s independence when the rights of the kings and nails were terminated in favor of hereditary political pensions. The festival’s tradition dates back 150 years.
Tourists can locate stalls where tribal people’s arts and crafts are displayed during the festival. Visitors will also have the opportunity to witness several tribal dance styles. Every year, folks from the neighboring districts come to Dang to party, drink, and have a good time.
Explore Croc Breeding Center
A visit to the crocodile breeding facility and the exciting wildlife safari in Gir National Park might be fascinating. This institution, which lies beside the Sinh Sadan, provides a wealth of information regarding crocodiles and the significance of their conservation. More than any other place in the nation, Gir is home to the most marsh crocodiles.
In conjunction with the Gujarat State Forest Department, Sasan Gir now uses a small area close to the reserve for crocodile breeding and care after adopting the Indian Crocodile Conservation Project in 1977. The Crocodile Rearing Center, next to the Sasan Gir Reserve, is a fascinating location to learn about crocodile breeding and observe these powerful reptiles catching prey or basking in the sun.
However, you shouldn’t wade in the water and use caution when taking photos of crocs in this area because they can be easily irritated. Crocodiles are majestic animals with great strength and aptitude for hunting despite their occasionally unsettling appearance.
Enjoy Lavish Stay And Food Delicacies
Numerous resorts offering fantastic vacation sites are located close to Gir National Park. Additionally, there are several restaurants where you can enjoy the best of Gujarati cuisine. The lodges here have plenty of food for tourists. The ideal choice would be to stay at Gir Jungle Lodges to take in the park’s breathtaking magnificence.
The hotels in Gir offer first-rate lodging and excellent customer service. The lodge’s restaurant is exceptional since it provides top-notch service and cuisine. Consequently, staying and eating in one of the resorts is a great choice. The variety of trees and plants creates an exciting atmosphere, thus giving these lodges a genuine vacation vibe.
Have Fun on Beach
One of the most picturesque locations in Gir Somnath is Chorwad Beach, a short distance from Somnath. The seashore was revered as the Nawab of Junagadh’s royal residence. The beach’s beautiful and peaceful atmosphere captivates everyone. You can travel back in time and take in its rich historical and cultural heritage. One of the less well-known tourist destinations is renowned for enchanting visitors with picture-perfect views at sunrise and sunset.
Despite the beach’s unsuitability for swimming, the soothing sea breeze can bring ample relaxation while chilling here on a lazy afternoon. You would adore strolling along the sandy shoreline and putting your toes in the sea, building sandcastles with your kids, or remembering your childhood.
Visit Tribal Settlements at Gir National Park
One of the best things to do in Gir National Park is to see the tribes and their unique lifestyles. Interacting with the Maldharis Tribe and the Siddis Tribal will help you better comprehend the connection that people once had with their natural surroundings—and still do in many regions of the country today—before the development of technology and urbanization.
Maldhari Tribal Settlement
Despite the apparent risks and poor infrastructure, a pastoral community with solid religious ties moved to Gir around 125 years ago. Since then, they have coexisted with the park’s wild animals, including lions. They have the age-old belief that any cattle lost to the predators in the wild are gifts or ‘prasad’ given in return for residing in someone else’s country.
Siddis Tribal Settlement
The Siddis are the sole African settlement in India; they arrived 800 years ago and have lived here ever since. These tribes are also found in tiny concentrations in the villages of Karnataka, Hyderabad, and Maharashtra, in addition to Gir in Gujarat. In Sasan Gir, a purely agricultural community, the tribe members coexist peacefully with the natural world.
Travel to Jetpur
Jetpur is a beautiful destination for textile shopping, and its fascinating history enchants visitors. Here, you may purchase magnificent cotton sarees that have been beautifully printed and colored. Tourists can also visit the renowned Shree Swaminarayan Temple while in Jetpur.
The Buddhist Caves of Khambhalida, which date from the fourth and fifth centuries, are another well-liked tourist destination. These three caves feature unique rock formations, the central one of which is a chaitya with a dilapidated stupa.
Seek Blessings at Tulsi Shyam Temple
Devoted to Lord Krishna, Tulsi Shyam Temple is a well-known attraction inside Gir National Park. According to legend, Lord Krishna slew the demon Tul here, and as a result, the location is known by both his name and that of Krishna (Shyam) as Tulsishyam.
Interestingly, the black stone Lord Tulsishyam idol is 3,000 years old. Visitors must go up 100 arduous steps to access the shrine from the parking lot. Near the main temple is a shrine to the goddess Rukmini Devi. Three hot sulfur springs are thought to offer therapeutic properties. The first has hot water, the second has much more scalding water, and the third has scorching, boiling water.
The road near the temple is famous for the Gravity Hill phenomenon, which is another magnet for visitors to this shrine. A nominal fee can be paid to use the temple’s boarding facilities, and the trust offers free meals. So people should make sure to visit this temple.
Conclusion
Everything is perfectly balanced in Gir National Park, including the wildlife and natural surroundings. You can learn a lot from the activities conducted, which are enjoyable. Gir offers many places to explore even after engaging in many activities. Sasan Gir is not a place where you get bored quickly. Gir National Park is the ideal place to go if you’re only planning a quick getaway. Book your package to Gir National Park with Indian Visit and customize it according to your preferences.
Related Post: