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Day 1: Rajkot to Sasan-Gir National Park
This itinerary begins in Rajkot, a characterful city in central Gujarat State. There are daily flights to Rajkot from New Delhi, Mumbai and other major Indian cities. Depending on the time of your arrival in Rajkot it may be necessary to overnight in the city the night before the tour to Sasan Gir.
You will be met by your private driver and vehicle at the airport on your arrival in Rajkot this morning (if overnighting in the city, you will be met at your hotel), to begin the 160km journey to Sasan Gir, or Gir Forest National Park, in southern Gujarat. The journey will take approx 4 hours, and see you arrive into Gir National Park around lunchtime. On arrival, check into Lion Safari Camp (Luxury Tent, 4 nights).
Lion Safari Camp
One of only a handful of places to stay in Gir, Lion Safari Camp is an East African-style safari lodge interwoven with contemporary amenities. Guests are accommodated in large vintage safari tents (21 in total), with air-conditioned bedrooms and adjoining en-suite bathroomsLion Safari Camp enjoys a lovely location in a private mango orchard, overlooking the Hiran River on the outskirts of the park. From here, guests can easily explore the surrounding wilderness of Gir National Park on twice-daily jungle jeep safaris.
After lunch at the lodge set off on an afternoon game drive into Sasan-Gir National Park.
The last holdout of the Asiatic lion, Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is a vast forest reserve in southern Gujarat State. Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1965, it houses an estimated 400 Asiatic lion – it is the only place in the world where these endangered creatures can be seen in the wild – as well as healthy populations of leopard, sambar, chital, ruddy mongoose, chousingha, jackal, hyena, marsh crocodile and more. Other rarities include the rusty spotted cat. Gir is also notable for its birdlife, with over 300 varieties present, most of them non-migratory – notable species include the Indian skimmer, paradise flycatcher and crested serpent eagle.
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Day 2-4: Sasan Gir National Park
Over the next three days you’ll have the chance to explore Sasan Gir National Park on morning and afternoon game drives. Each days starts with an early morning game drive, leaving around the crack of dawn and returning to the lodge for breakfast. An afternoon drive departs after lunch and returns by sunset.
Lion tracking is the focus of the game drives, but there will be time to explore other areas of the park, taking in a good cross-section of habitats and wildlife. With any luck, you might be able to add leopard to the list of big cats sighted in Gir, though sightings are rare! Keen birders will also find much to admire in Sasan Gir, with over 300 recorded species.
The jungle safaris are conducted in shared 4x4 6-seat jeeps with canvas roofs, and led by experienced naturalist guides.
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Day 5: Departure
Enjoy a last morning game drive in the park, before breakfast and check out.
After breakfast, you will be met by your private driver for the return transfer to Rajkot Airport, where you can connect with the evening flight to Mumbai or New Delhi. Your tour ends in Rajkot.
Lions of Sasan-Gir
5-day safari extension in Gujarat State, India, in search of the Asiatic Lion
Lions of Sasan-Gir
Travel to India's Gujarat State to visit Sasan-Gir National Park, the last refuge of the Asiatic Lion, on this 5-day safari extension. This safari add-on can be booked in combination with a tiger safari or can be extended to include time in Mumbai.
Outline Itinerary
Price guide
Price based on two travellers in shared double/twin accommodation and subject to availability at the time of booking.
Pricing
5 days from £895pp
Namibia Safari
Dear Clare, Belated but nevertheless heartfelt thanks for your part in organising a truly outstanding holiday.
