Sasan Gir
An open Gypsy drive through Devalia, the Gir Interpretation Zone near Sasan — natural Gir habitat in a fenced area, with good chances of close lion views in under an hour.
Quick answer
It is a one-hour open Gypsy drive through Devalia, the fenced Gir Interpretation Zone near Sasan, where natural Gir habitat gives good chances of close lion views. It runs from October to June. Permits come from the Gujarat Forest Department, and Prakriti Escapes arranges them on enquiry before you pay.
Devalia — formally the Gir Interpretation Zone — is a fenced stretch of natural Gir forest a short drive from Sasan Gir village. Inside the fence the habitat is real: dry deciduous trees, scrub, grassy clearings, rocky slopes and water points, home to Asiatic lions, leopards, deer, nilgai and a long list of birds. Because the area is compact, animals are much easier to find than in the open sanctuary.
The Gypsy safari is the open-vehicle way to see it. Instead of a covered bus you ride in a small open 4x4 with a guide, which means clearer views, better photographs and the feeling of a real jungle drive — in under an hour inside the zone. It suits families, photographers, short stays and anyone whose Gir Jungle Safari permits are sold out.
October – February
March – June
Devalia follows its own calendar and may run on a separate schedule in the monsoon months. It has a weekly closing day and can close for festivals or maintenance — we confirm the timing for your date.
Entry permit – Indian visitors
Amount (indicative): ₹800 weekdays · ₹1,000 weekends & holidays
How it is paid: Included in our quote
Entry permit – foreign visitors
Amount (indicative): ₹7,520 weekdays · ₹9,400 weekends & holidays
How it is paid: Included in our quote
Gypsy hire
Amount (indicative): About ₹2,000 per vehicle
How it is paid: Included in our quote
Guide fee
Amount (indicative): About ₹400 per vehicle
How it is paid: Included in our quote
DSLR / video camera
Amount (indicative): ₹600 · ₹2,500
How it is paid: Paid at the reception counter
| Charge | Amount (indicative) | How it is paid |
|---|---|---|
| Entry permit – Indian visitors | ₹800 weekdays · ₹1,000 weekends & holidays | Included in our quote |
| Entry permit – foreign visitors | ₹7,520 weekdays · ₹9,400 weekends & holidays | Included in our quote |
| Gypsy hire | About ₹2,000 per vehicle | Included in our quote |
| Guide fee | About ₹400 per vehicle | Included in our quote |
| DSLR / video camera | ₹600 · ₹2,500 | Paid at the reception counter |
One permit covers up to 6 people (including one child aged 3–12). Your quote shows current fees and our service charge separately.
Devalia runs open Gypsies and covered buses on the same circuit. The Gypsy sits lower and carries only a handful of people, so everyone gets a clear view when a lion is beside the track. There is no glass or roof between you and the forest — you hear alarm calls and notice the cooler air near water. Your guide sits with you and points out tracks, birds and behaviour you would otherwise miss.
If you are travelling with toddlers, elderly parents or a large group on a budget, the Devalia bus safari may suit you better. Many families split up: photographers take the Gypsy while others take the bus.
A 70–200 mm or 100–400 mm zoom covers most situations; lions can be surprisingly close. A small bean bag on the vehicle frame steadies a long lens better than a tripod. Keep the shutter at 1/500 s or faster for walking animals and switch to continuous focus when a lion starts to move. The first morning slot and the last afternoon slot give the warmest light. No flash, no calling out, and stay seated when the guide asks.
Take the early Gir Jungle Safari from Sasan and return for breakfast. Rest through the midday heat, then drive 20–25 minutes to Devalia for an afternoon Gypsy slot when the light turns golden. With a car, you can continue to Somnath in time for the evening. Coming from Somnath, Diu or Junagadh, Devalia also works as a stand-alone stop of about two hours.
Sasan Gir village
Distance: About 12 km
Travel time: 20–25 minutes
Somnath
Distance: About 45 km
Travel time: About 1 hour by road
Junagadh
Distance: About 60 km
Travel time: 1 to 1.5 hours by road
Rajkot (airport)
Distance: About 160 km
Travel time: 3 to 3.5 hours by road
| From | Distance | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Sasan Gir village | About 12 km | 20–25 minutes |
| Somnath | About 45 km | About 1 hour by road |
| Junagadh | About 60 km | 1 to 1.5 hours by road |
| Rajkot (airport) | About 160 km | 3 to 3.5 hours by road |
Any local taxi or your resort can arrange the transfer from Sasan or Talala.
The forest department needs the name, age, gender and photo ID number of every traveller to issue a permit. We collect these details only to make this booking and to contact you about it, and we share them only with the department for the permit.
Read our privacy policy to see how we store and protect your information.
The drive inside the zone is usually 45 to 60 minutes. Allow about two hours in total including reporting and boarding.
Sightings are never guaranteed, but because Devalia is a compact fenced area with natural habitat, most visitors do see lions.
No. Devalia is the Gir Interpretation Zone, a fenced area of Gir forest near Sasan. The Gir Jungle Safari runs in the open sanctuary and is a longer, less predictable drive.
Choose the Gypsy for photography and an open-air safari feel in a small group. Choose the bus for toddlers, seniors or a tighter budget.
Yes. Phones are fine; DSLR and video cameras carry a separate fee paid at the reception counter.
Yes — the jungle safari in the morning and Devalia in the afternoon is one of the most popular combinations.
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Plan your visit
Devalia Park Gypsy Safari
Devalia Safari Park near Sasan Gir runs both open-Gypsy and bus safaris. Compare the two side by side — views, photography, comfort, timings and who each suits — plus how Devalia differs from the Gir jungle trail.
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