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.

Wild Life Tour in India

Shy, elusive and always in herds, this is the best way to describe the majestic wild animals of India. Different types of wild animals are found in various forests, national parks and wild life sanctuaries. The diversity and variety of wild animals found in India is something which is matchless. There are around 96 national parks and over 500 wild life sanctuaries spread all over the country. Jim Corbett national park located in the foothills of Himalaya is the first national park to be set up in the country. India is home to many endangered species like Asiatic lion, Royal Bengal tiger, Barasingha and few more. It houses around eighty percent of the one horned rhinoceros of world.

India has many exotic wild life tour destinations for the visitors to look out. From Himalayas to the southern state, each region of country hosts varied type of animals. Himalayan region which is abundant with dense forests has large presence of wild animals. This region is rich in flora and fauna and there is so much of diversity. Unlike Africa, the terrain and lifestyle of India is such that, most wild animals often prefer to live in groups and away from human vegetation. Tourists can visit India in any season to experience the wild animals but there are some particular time when they can be viewed best specially the migratory birds. India's wild life sanctuaries are the best place to witness the most exquisite type of wild animals. The tourists visiting India have the option of trying out different types of wild life tour.

Types of Wild Life Tour

National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuary Tours of India
India has around 90 national parks spread across the country. As per the area and its geographical feature, these national parks give ample opportunities to the visitors to experience wild animals from very close quarter. The best thing about these national park is that animal live in their wild best. Jim Corbett, the first national park to be set up in country, is one of the most popular wild life reserve of India. This park offers a great chance to the visitors to the sight tiger at their wild best.

There are many other national parks like Ranthambore, Gir, Kaziranga, Kanha, Sunderbans, Bandipur and many more, which are always teemed with wild life lovers. Kaziranga national park located in Assam is famous for being home to one horned rhinoceros. While Gir national park which is located in Gujarat houses endangered Asiatic Lion. As visitors venture into these unknown territory, there are many surprises which await them.

Bird Watching Tour
Bird watching is something which is inexpensive and satisfying. India which is home to large number of wild bird species, is the ideal destination for bird watching tour. There are around 1200 (roughly 13 % of world) different species of birds which are found in India which include some migrants. India's varied vegetation and geography is responsible for such variation in the population of birds. There are various bird sanctuaries where visitors can view birds. Other than this the natural forests area also offers good chance to sight birds.

Bharatpur bird sanctuary, located in Rajasthan, is the most popular bird sanctuary. This 29 sq-km wildlife park has around 300 different species of birds and is the second habitat in world to welcome Siberian cranes during winter. Tourists from all over world flock into this sanctuary to watch both indigenous and migratory birds. Some other famous bird sanctuaries are located in Kumarakom, Chilka Lake, Sultanpur. Himalayan region is quite popular to go for bird watching. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of region and in the serene atmosphere they can sight some stunning species of birds.

Elephant Safari Tour
Elephant safari take visitors to those tough terrain which cannot be covered by vehicles. As these elephants slowly and steadily move around, tourists sitting atop can have a good view of the animals and their way of life. In India, elephant safaris in Himalayan regions and Periyar area of Kerala are very popular. Elephant safari in north and north east regions which lie under the Himalaya can be great option to explore the area. Visitors can go for sighting tiger in the Corbett national park sitting on these elephants. Kaziranga national park in Assam offers a great experience of elephant safari. One horned rhino can be best viewed while in the elephant safari.

Periyar wild life sanctuary in Kerala is the most famous hub of elephant safari in the country. It is also the safest elephant sanctuary possibly in the world as elephants have never attacked human here. Moving around on this elephant, visitors can have the best of the Periyar wild life sanctuary.

Tiger tour
Tiger, the national animal of India, is the most majestic and attractive of all. For some strange reason tiger, for centuries has been the favourite of animal lovers from across the world. The killing of tigers by the poachers and hunters have considerably reduced its population. But coming up of various national parks and wild life sanctuaries across country had led to the increase in the population of this wonderful animal. Today India houses half of the world's tiger population. Indian tigers are known as Bengal or Royal Bengal tiger. It is endangered, charismatic and most powerful among all the cats.

Tiger tour in India will cover some of the most stunning wild life sanctuaries and national parks. Ranthambore, Jim Corbett, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Sariska are some of the prominent national parks where visitors can spot tigers in their wild best. Bandhavgarh and Kanha national park are best place to sight tigers in the wild. Even during the day tiger can be spotted roaming around in the park. Jim Corbett national park is another park which is popular among the tiger lovers. Project tiger, the ambitious conservation plan of government to save tiger was started from here in the year 1973. This park located in the foothills of Himalaya in Uttranchal attracts large number of tiger lovers from across the globe. Visitors can take a jeep or elephant safari to catch the majestic tiger. Seeing tiger from a close quarter will become the part of your memory through out the life.

Source: Wild Life Tour

South India Tours - Savor the Nature at Its Best

The cultural history of South India trace back to the history of India. The magnificent sculptures, dance forms and the temples testify the rich cultural heritage of South India. The enriching literature also marks the cultural triumph of this part of India. The Tours include a visit to the states of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

These Tours will show you various facets of this part. During the tours, you can visit various monuments, temples, beaches, wild life, hill stations, Ayurveda centers and others.

The tour remains incomplete without shopping for sandalwod carvings, textiles, silk saris, metal ware, pendants, delicate baskets, wooden caskets with inlay work, sandalwood pens and exotic bookmarks. Local handicrafts, Lambani jewelry and Kinnala paintings, gold leaf work, Rosewood furniture and handicrafts in Karnataka, Kanchipuram Silks, beautiful mats of Pattamara, Handicrafts made from palm leaves and Palmyra fibers in Tirunellveli, Exquisite jewelry and brass and bronze castings of Kumbakonam, Sculptures made of stone from Mahabalipuram, South Indian silk saris, handicrafts and khadi or hand-woven garments are the best buy from the shops of various states of South India.

Golf tours form a major part of the South India. There are some wonderful and lush green golf courses in the various cities of South India like Ooty, Chennai and Bangalore. Make sure to visit the Gymkhana Club in Ooty, Gymkhana Club Golf Course in Chennai and Golf Club in Bangalore.

Festival tours in South India are a major activity. During the tour, you can enjoy the celebrations of the following festivals like Aaranmula Boat Race, Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Onam, Thrissur Pooram in Kerala and Pongal Festival, Kavadi Festival, Karthiqai Deepam, Natyanjali Dance Festival in Tamil Nadu

Some of the Major South India tours, which can be undertaken, are as follows:

-Temple tours
-Monument tours
-Beaches in South India
-Hill stations
-Festivals
-Golfing
-Meditation
-Ayurveda
-Yoga
-Wildlife

Temple tours are the major attraction of this tour. In the temple city of Tamil Nadu, you can find the most celebrated Meenakshi temple, Kanchipuram temple, Mahabalipuram, Rameshwaram, Murugan temple and Kanyakumari. In Kerala, you can visit the famous Sabarimala temple and Guruvayoor temple. If you are in Karnataka make sure to visit the Somnathpur temple and Badami Cave temple. During the temple tours, do not miss out the Tirupata Tirumala Balaji Temple and Thousand Pillar temple in the Andhra Pradesh.

Jewish synagogue in Kerala, Valluvar Kottam, Arjuna's Penance and Rock Fort Temple in Tamilnadu, Gol Gumbaz and Mysore Palace in Karnataka, Golconda Fort and Char Minar in Andhra Pradesh are covered in the monument tours in South India.

During your South India tour, you can make a stopover at the various hill stations of South India. Munnar in Kerala is a beautiful hill station that is thronged by tourists from all over the world and Kerala Hotels are world famous for ayurveda treatments. In Tamil Nadu, visit the beautiful hill stations of Kodaikanal, Ooty and Nilgiri Hills.

During your trip to South India, you can visit numerous national parks and wild life sanctuaries. Here, you can spot a number of wild lives in their natural habitat. Tiger, Panther, Gaur (Indian Bison), Spotted Deer, Ibex, Langurs, Bonnet Monkeys, Jungle Fowl and birds are commonly found at the national parks of South India. Some of the major national park and sanctuaries include Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary(Kerala), Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary(Kerala), Kunthakulam Bird Sanctury( Tamil Nadu), Crocodile Bank ( Tamil Nadu), Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary( Tamil Nadu), Nagarhole National Park( Karnataka) and Bandipur National Park ( Karnataka).

During the tour, make sure to visit the unspoiled beaches of Malpe Beach, Murudeshwar Beach and Maravanthe Beach in Karnataka; Alappuzha beach, Varkala beach and Kovalam beach in Kerala and Marina Beach, Kanyakumari Beach and Mahabalipuram Beach in Tamilnadu.

Ayurveda, yoga and meditation tours can not be missed out. The major yoga and meditation center in South India are located in Pondicherry, Kerala and Auroville.

The South India tour will be an experience to cherish forever as there is no dearth of accommodation in this part of India. Tourism industry has flourished largely and has plenty of five star deluxe, five star, four star, three star, cheap hotels, resorts and guest houses.

Source: Travel