Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park

About Gir Wildlife Sanctaury
In the southwest of the peninsular state of Gujarat, lies the 116 square-mile Gir sanctuary created to protect the last wild population of Lion outside the African regions. Since 1913 when the Lion population over here fell drastically to just 20 animals, the numbers have increased to around 300. The Asiatic lion is slightly smaller than its African cousin is and its mane is also smaller.


Flora in Gir National Park
The Gir National Park is a mixed deciduous forest with teak, flame of the forest, some Acacia and Banyan trees. A distinct belt of vegetation is found along the main rivers and streams. Species like the Jambu, Karanj, Umro, Vad, Kalam, Charal, Sirus and Amli are found here. These trees are mostly broad leaved and evergreen, giving the area a cool shade and the moisture content.

Major Wildlife Attractions in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary

In India the Lion population is spread across the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. But Gir is not just about Lions, the second most commonly found predator in the Gir is Leopard. Infact, Gir national park is also home to one of the largest Leopard populations in any park in India, and especially in the hotter season they can sometimes be seen at night close to the lodges.

Other animal residents of the Gir national park are Sambar Deer, Chital Spotted Deer, Nilgai Antelope, Chowsingha Four-Horned Antelope, Chinkara Gazelle, Wild Boar, Langur Monkey, Jackal, and Hyena and numerous birds like Paradise Flycatcher, Bonneli's Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Woodpeckers Flamingo etc.

Other Attractions in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary
Jeep Safari : The best way to observe the big cats is, of course, in their natural surroundings, at dawn and dusk, when they are on the prowl. Wildlife viewing in the Gir’s is best done, by driving via jeep around the forest.
Best Time to Visit Gir Forest
Wildlife enthusiasts can visit Gir park throughout the year, but the best period to visit the Gir Sanctuary is between the months of November and June.

How to Get there
Air : The nearest airport from Gir is Keshod 90-kms via Veraval. Visitors can easily catch daily flights from Mumbai to Keshod.

Rail : The nearest rail connection is the meter gauge rail line of 395-kms from Ahemdabad.

Road : Gir is situated at a distance of 400-kms from Ahmedabad via Rajkot, Junagadh and Mendarda. State Transport buses are easily available from Junagadh and Veraval to Gir, between November and June.

General Info / Tips
» Do not disturb the animals during day time as most of the nocturnal animals sleep during day time.
» Do not try to irritate the animals or make them angry by teasing them.
» Take official guides along with you on the park trip.
» Do not smoke inside the park.
» Do not use flash or intrusive photography.
» Picking of plants and insects is strictly prohibited.
» Wear loose fitting and simple clothes that blend with the park surroundings.
» For the safety of the visitors, walking and hiking within the vicinity of the park is not allowed.
» Camping and picnicking is not allowed within the park.
» Carry plenty of water along with you.

Discovering Mauritius

The population in Mauritius is multiracial. Most people residing in Mauritius are the descendents of people who came from India. However, other people stem from their ancestors who came from Africa, China, Madagascar and other countries. So, this aspect makes of Mauritius a country rich in culture and multi ethnicity.

The widely spoken language in Mauritius is called the 'creole'. Creole is believed to be the language used by African slaves to communicate with their French masters long ago. This language had been derived from the French Language and has some similarities when spoken. On the other hand, the official language used in Mauritius is English. As a matter of fact, all documents and communiqués coming from the government are addressed in English. English as well as French are also instructed in all schools in Mauritius. But French is mostly used by the media, both in the form of newspapers and broadcasted.

Furthermore, there are also various languages spoken in Mauritius. These are Hindi, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telegu, Mandarin among others. Indo-Mauritians, that is all ethnic groups combined, make around 70 percent of the population in Mauritius. The remaining 30 percent may be considered as Creoles. Additionally, there may be around 30,000 Chinese people in Mauritius. Approximately 90 percent out of these may be Roman-Catholic while the remaining amount may be Buddhist. Here's a more detailed definition about the ethnical groups in Mauritius: Hindus (52%), Roman Catholic (28%), Islam (17%) and Buddhism (2.5%) among others.

Moreover, the Mauritian cuisine is a mixture of Indian, Chinese, creole and European cuisines. The 'cari poule' known as chicken curry or 'mine frite' known as fried noodles can be considered as the favourite dishes of most Mauritians. These two dishes mentioned above have been both respectively derived from the Indian and Chinese culture. The 'mine frite' as well as 'dholl puri' can be found practically everywhere in busy towns of Mauritius such as Port Louis and Curepipe. Some people gain their living by selling these foods on sidewalks or mini restaurants in Mauritius.

In addition to, Mauritius also produces a liquour called Rum. This liquour is alcoholic and is consumed by many people over the island. Mauritius had gained the inheritance of the production of Rum as it was long ago manufactured by the Dutch. In fact, the Dutch introduced sugarcane to Mauritius to produce Rum otherwise called 'arrack' at that time. It was around 60 years later that sugarcane became an industry for the production of sugar in Mauritius. But the French made full use of the sugarcane. A man known as Francois Harel suggested the construction of the first Rum distillery in Mauritius in the year 1850. Nowadays, the major Rum distillery in Mauritius is found at Tombeau Bay.

The multicultural aspect of Mauritius is what makes of the island one of the most unique places to visit in the world. Tourists coming to Mauritius may relieve the fascinating history of the island by visiting the Blue Penny Musuem or the Natural History Musuem both situated at Port Louis.

Mauritius Island Tours

Mauritius Island, masked with plentiful forest, impressive streams and waterfalls, bordered with coconut palm trees, sparkling white sands and isolated coral reefs, lies in the East of Madagascar just south of the Equator. One has every basis to opt for Mauritius island tours because probably it is one of the earth's most accepted hot spots not only for couple tour but also for individual traveler, family tours and group tours. There is something for everybody! If natural beauty is to your weakness, you will discover it beyond your wildest dreams! The unique beauty of Mauritius Island's shoreline, viewing all of the untouched splendors will be an once-in-a-lifetime experience for you which can never be forgotten. When you're organizing your unique holiday tours to Mauritius you may wish to consider a nature adventure trip as one of the highlights to see the various kind of wildlife. Casela Nature and Leisure Park will provide you an exceptional experience and the opportunity to get some of the best nature and wildlife photography that one can possibly imagine for a Mauritius holiday trip.

The Global Vision Tours exposes a pleasant trip to Mauritius, equipped with modern Mauritius villa rentals, carefully designed to conserve the beauty and ecology of the Mauritius Island. Do you want to get away from the crowded city life and have a wonderful change from your daily routine? Would you like to go for a vacation which is absolutely unusual from everything in your daily life? If your answer is yes! Then we suggest you to go for Mauritius Island tours. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden is located in the charming town of Pamplemousses. Pamplemousses (a French word which means grapefruit in English) is one of the famous places in Mauritius with a produce-inspired name.

You can also find other places in Mauritius with such names like Plaine Des Papayas (Papaya Plain), Riviere Citrons (Lemon River), Butte a L'Herbe (Herb Butte), Rose Belle (Pretty Rose) and last but not least, Pointe Aux Piments, Pepper Point. in addition to the profusion of fruit and vegetable points on the map, let's not overlook the mischievous town names of Flic-en-Flac and Curepipe, or the more ominous places of Cap Malheureux (Cape Sadness) and Baie du Tombeau (Tomb Bay), mutually recognized for their risky shipwreck-prone seas and Le Morne Brabant (The Mournful One), a peak with cliffs so steep that no one could clamber it without dooming themselves. Port Louis, aka the Mauritius city, the capital, has poches of colour and charm: in the outdoor marketplace, where fine ground spices pervades the air; along the refurbished waterfront, where a Western-style shopping mall has sprung up; and, best of all, at the Champs de Mars racecourse.

Mauritius Island is fully equipped with tourist resources. Anything you wish to view and practice, you shall get many options of tours that will put you in link with anything attracts you the best in the wonderful tropical Mauritius temperature. Mauritius island tours are compared to a Mauritius luxury escapade in "heaven on earth" or the "pearl of the Indian Ocean". In the sultry mood of Mauritius, each day will be jam-packed with hours of tender relaxation, soaking the sun, there are simply no other variety of adventures that will perhaps sufficiently measure up to a Mauritius beach. You may choose among the retreat of lengthy, peaceful Mauritius beaches, Mauritius beaches with shops and energetic holiday-maker life or a Mauritius beach with a choice of sea sports.

You will find the surfing centre of Mauritius Island at the Baie du Tamarin, on the Mauritius world map. If you haven't experienced the surfing yet, it is amazing to view and full of adventure to go for it! If you are thinking of a sea-kayaking programme, two of the main relevant details to yield in mind is that sea-kayaking is limited to individuals over the age of 12, and that the exclusive places range in amount of difficulty. For most guests who are in good vigor, there will almost certainly not be any viable struggles on your Mauritius island vacations.

The weather in Mauritius is pleasant all round the year. The summer season is from November until April and winter season is from May until October. One can expect an average temperature of thirty Degree C in the daytime, accompanied by temperate ocean winds. Jun, Jul and August are the coolest months to travel and during these months the sun sets at an earlier time. Temperature in day time during these months is between twenty Degrees C and 25 Degrees Celsius and at night it can be as cold as 15 Degrees C - seventeen Degrees C.

Desert Safari Tour in India

Rajasthan is an enchanting land with amazing diversity in its geographical features. And the most fascinating of all is its desert with golden-hued sand dunes which create magic. If you are traveling to Rajasthan then Desert Safari in Rajasthan is something you must not miss at any cost. It is the star attraction of this land of raja-maharajas. The Thar Desert tour will take you to unfathomable sand dunes, isolated villages and enchanting historical ruins. On this tour you will get a wonderful opportunity to acquaint yourself with the people, culture, history and lifestyles of the people living in the desert.

The best way to venture into the Thar Desertis on a camel's back but if you are not comfortable with that then you can go for a jeep safari in the desert. But whatever way you choose adventure is very much a part of the journey. In Rajasthan the famous destination for desert safari is Jaisalmer.

Jaisalmer is an enchanting city which attracts many a tourists from all over the world. Its most captivating attraction of safari. Apart from this it is known for majestically carved havelis and Jaisalmer Fort. The rustic charm of Rajasthan can be best experienced here. To make the holidays of tourists memorable and adventurous camps are organized on the sand dunes. Stay in the camps under the star-studded sky, treat your eyes with traditional dance performances and experience the lifestyle of nomads on this tour.

On this safari enjoy the traditional cuisine of Rajasthan and participate in the cultural programs organized for your entertainment. The sights of sand dunes stretching for miles and changing shapes under the influence of wind will surely leave you enchanted.

The Sam Sand Dunes of Jaisalmer is the most famous spot for those who wish to see the overwhelming beauty. Visit it in the evening and you will be greeted with a breathtaking sunset view which you will cherish for long. As the evening falls the sand-dunes look orange in color in the rays of sun.

And the charm of these desert of Jaisalmer increases manifold during the Desert Festivalcelebrated here in the month of February/March every year. During the festival the desert comes alive and looks colorful.

On this tour also explore the attractions of the famous desert cities like Bikaner, Mandawa, Jodhpur and Pushkar.