Last Refuge of the Asiatic Lion

Gir National Park, in the south of the Saurashtra peninsula, holds a unique distinction: it is the last refuge of the Asiatic lion, found in the wild nowhere else on earth. Once hunted to the brink, these magnificent cats have recovered here under careful protection, and the dry deciduous forest that shelters them has become one of India's great conservation success stories.

The park is a mosaic of teak woodland, acacia scrub, rocky hills and seasonal rivers. Beyond the lions, a safari may reveal leopards, striped hyenas, jackals, marsh crocodiles, sambar and spotted deer, nilgai and a wonderful variety of birds, from crested serpent eagles to painted storks. Jeep safaris along forest tracks offer the best chance of an unforgettable lion sighting.

Gir is also home to the Maldhari, traditional pastoralist communities who have long lived alongside the lions, grazing their buffalo within the forest. Their presence adds a human dimension to the landscape, and local Kathiawadi cooking, hearty, often fiery and richly spiced, reflects the rural character of the region.

The rhythm of a Gir visit revolves around the cool light of early morning and late afternoon, when the forest is most alive and the chance of wildlife greatest. Between drives there is time to relax at characterful lodges, scan the treeline for birds and simply soak up the quiet of the Saurashtra countryside.

We include Gir because it offers a wildlife experience available nowhere else in the world. For nature-minded travellers it is the jewel of a Gujarat tour, pairing the thrill of tracking wild lions with the satisfaction of supporting a remarkable conservation story.