Lions of Gir

The Asian Lion is the most endangered large cat species in the world. There are only around 300 Asian lions in the world and they live in Gujarat’s Gir National Park. That’s Gir not Grrrrr…! This trip is specifically to see the Asian lion and also to take in some of the other wildlife destinations in the area. We will see Wild Ass at Little Rann of Kutch and Blackbuck at Velavadar National Park. There is some great birding to be done in these areas and we think the trip offers a very different biodiversity to the tiger parks of central India and adds a different dimension to India wildlife holidays.

Information

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Included

Local naturalist guides at Rann of Kutch, Gir and Bhavnagar. All park entrance fees and activities. All ground transport in air-conditioned Toyota Qualis (or similar).

Not included

Return flights to Ahmedabad. Approximate cost: £500 to £700 from the UK.

Is it for you?

This is an easy trip that does not require any particular special fitness. You stay in good hotels and lodges and should find there is plenty of time for wildlife viewing.

Best time

Gir is open to visitors throughout the year except during the monsoon (between June and October). The best time to visit the park is in the winter, from December to March.

Getting there

We are happy to book flights for you. Please contact us for advice.

Weather and highlights

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- Jan
- Sunny
- 7
- 21
- Feb
- Sunny
- 9
- 24
- Mar
- Sunny
- 14
- 31
- Apr
- Sunny
- 20
- 36
- May
- Sunny
- 26
- 41
- Jun
- Rain
- 28
- 39
- Jul
- Heavy rain
- 27
- 36
- Aug
- Heavy rain
- 26
- 34
- Sep
- Rain
- 24
- 34
- Oct
- Sunny
- 18
- 34
- Nov
- Sunny
- 11
- 29
- Dec
- Sunny
- 8
- 23

Rare chance to see the last of these endangered species in their natural habitat
Wild Ass at Little Rann of Kutch
Blackbuck at Velvadar National Park

Itinerary

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Duration: 9 days

Day 1:
Arrive Ahmedabad. You will be met and taken for breakfast at the river-facing Cama Park Plaza, where your bird list will begin with many garden birds in the hotel premises and waterside birds along the Sabarmati River. After breakfast drive to the Little Rann of Kutch (90 K.M.) Overnight at Rann Riders. (L, D).
Day 2:
Game viewing in Rann of Kutch. Overnight at Rann Riders. (FB)
Day 3:
Game viewing in Rann of Kutch. Overnight at Rann Riders. (FB)
Day 4:
After early breakfast we leave for Gir National Park by road, which is about 350 K.M from Little Rann of Kutch & will take about 7 Hrs to reach. We will have Lunch at Gondal at the Riverside Palace / Orchard Palace. It's a heritage hotel good for birding with many species coming in to the orchards and on the river-shores. After Lunch we proceed to Gir National Park & Check in at Gir Birding Lodge. (FB)
Day 5:
Game viewing in Gir National Park. Overnight at Gir Birding Lodge. (FB)
Day 6:
Game viewing in Gir National Park. Overnight at Gir Birding Lodge. (FB)
Day 7:
Game viewing in Gir National Park. Overnight at Gir Birding Lodge. (FB)
Day 8:
After morning Game drive we drive to Bhavnagar. The Journey is approx. 250 K.M. & will take about 5 hrs. We reach Bhavnagar at about 5 P.M. Check in at The Nilambag Palace Hotel, a Heritage property. (B, L)
Day 9:
From Bhavnagar we drive for about an hour to have a day visit to Velavadar National Park in the Bhal region of Saurashtra. Drive (about 4 hrs) to Ahmedabad international Airport to catch our onward flight to London.

Pricing guidelines for India

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We hope the following will give you a rough idea of costs. These are quoted per person based on twin share for two people, without international flights but including internal flights. We’ve used good standard accommodation throughout. There are nearly always ways to spend more money than we’ve suggested (!), but these prices show a good and realistic range for each type of trip.

International flights will add from about £450 to £700 depending on the season and route (unless the airlines have special offers). India combines well with Nepal.

For a specific personal quote based on any tailor made itinerary you have in mind, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help you.

Example tripPrice per person
1 week Golden Triangle holidayBetween £800 and £2000
2 weeks in northern IndiaFrom about £1500+
2 weeks in southern IndiaBetween £2000 and £3000
11 day wildlife safari (including tigers)From about £1250+

Your reviews

Read what our clients think of the places they've been with Tribes. Here are the most recent reviews.

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With only two tiger sightings in five previous visits the pressure was on! The trip you organised more than exceeded our most optimistic expectations ...

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A fantastic trip with amazing places to visit and wonderful hotels (on the whole). There were a couple of hiccoughs but these were resolved on locatio...

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We had a wonderful holiday. India was amazing and the tigers made a fantastic holiday an experience of a lifetime.

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Normally we don't use a tour operator but it certainly made this trip to India a lot easier and I would do it again. We got far more done having every...

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Overall, the holiday was very enjoyable. We would be very happy to travel with Tribes again. We hoped that Rajasthan would be an interesting, if not ...

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