Sasan Gir
A three-hour open Gypsy safari in the hilly Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary beside Junagadh — lions, leopards, vultures on the cliffs and far fewer vehicles than Sasan.
Quick answer
It is a three-hour open Gypsy safari in the hilly Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary beside Junagadh, with chances of lions, leopards and vultures on the cliffs, and far fewer vehicles than Sasan. It runs from October to June. Permits are issued by the forest department, and Prakriti Escapes arranges them on enquiry.
The Girnar Nature Safari explores the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, a hilly forest around the sacred Girnar range on the edge of Junagadh city. It is part of the same lion landscape as Gir, but the terrain is very different: rocky slopes, deep valleys, streams and dense patches of forest climbing towards the peaks.
You travel in an open Gypsy with a trained guide for about three hours. Asiatic lions live in these hills, along with leopards, spotted deer, sambar, nilgai and wild boar. Girnar is also known for its vultures — long-billed, white-rumped and red-headed vultures nest on the cliffs — and for a rich mix of hill birds. With fewer visitors than Sasan, it often feels quieter and more personal.
October – February
March – mid-June
Closed from 16 June to 15 October, and during the Girnar Parikrama and the Mahashivratri fair. Timings are set by the forest department.
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.
In Sasan the forest is rolling and open; in Girnar the tracks climb and dip through hills, so the drive feels more like a mountain safari. Lions here are used to rocky ground and are often seen on slopes or resting on boulders. The views across the valleys at sunrise are a reward in themselves.
Because the sanctuary sits beside Junagadh, it is easy to visit even if you are not staying in Sasan. Many travellers do an early Girnar safari, then spend the rest of the day at Uparkot Fort, the Mahabat Maqbara and the Girnar ropeway.
Girnar's cliffs are an important nesting area for vultures, and seeing them circle above the ridges is one of the highlights of a morning drive. Look out too for crested serpent eagles, Bonelli's eagles, peafowl, grey junglefowl and many smaller forest birds. On the ground, spotted deer, sambar, nilgai, wild boar and langurs are regular sightings; leopards and lions are seen with patience and luck.
Junagadh city
Distance: A few km
Travel time: 15–20 minutes
Sasan Gir
Distance: About 60 km
Travel time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Rajkot (airport)
Distance: About 100 km
Travel time: About 2.5 hours
Somnath
Distance: About 90 km
Travel time: About 2 hours
| From | Distance | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Junagadh city | A few km | 15–20 minutes |
| Sasan Gir | About 60 km | 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Rajkot (airport) | About 100 km | About 2.5 hours |
| Somnath | About 90 km | About 2 hours |
Junagadh railway station has connections to Ahmedabad and Rajkot.
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.
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About three hours, in an open Gypsy with a trained guide.
Yes, lions live in the Girnar hills, but sightings depend on the animals and cannot be promised.
From 16 June to 15 October each year, and during the Girnar Parikrama and Mahashivratri fair periods.
It is a different landscape rather than a copy of Gir, but it is a rewarding lion safari in its own right and usually less crowded.
Visit Uparkot Fort, the Mahabat Maqbara, the Darbar Hall museum, or take the Girnar ropeway up the hill.
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