Trip Highlights

  • Head into Gir National Park on repeated morning and evening jeep safaris, get the chance to spot Asiatic lions, deer, antelope and rich birdlife.
  • Discover Gondal’s royal heritage at the Naulakha Palace Museum, alongside the Swaminarayan Temple and other local landmarks.
  • Explore the Maharaja’s private grasslands and bird-rich lakes around Gondal, with chances to see blackbuck, nilgai and local birdlife.
  • Venture into the Little Rann of Kutch from Dasada, with morning and evening wildlife drives across its distinctive desert landscape.
  • Look out for Indian wild ass, desert foxes, jackals, antelope and birds while experiencing one of Gujarat’s most unusual wildlife regions.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

A 7 Nights / 8 Days itinerary for Gujarat Desert & Lion Safari Tour.

  • Arrive at Mumbai International Airport, where you will meet our representative.
  • Get help with an assisted transfer to your hotel.
  • Check in, relax and unwind at the hotel premises.

Overnight: Mumbai

  • Next morning, prepare for a transfer to the airport to board a flight to Rajkot, Gujarat.
  • Upon reaching, drive towards Gir National Park, famous for being the last habitat of the endangered Asiatic Lions.
  • Once you reach, check into a jungle lodge, complete the formalities and relax.
  • The evening is scheduled for an exciting jeep safari accompanied by a naturalist.

Overnight: Gir National Park

  • Next morning, start early with a morning jeep safari in Gir National Park, exploring the forest with a naturalist.
  • Look out for Asiatic lions, along with chital, sambar, nilgai, wild boar and other wildlife.
  • Return to the lodge for breakfast, lunch and some time to relax.
  • Head back into the forest for an evening safari and get another chance to experience a different route.
  • Wind down at the lodge, with dinner and a bonfire experience if arranged.

Overnight: Gir National Park

  • Set out on another morning safari, increasing your chances of seeing different wildlife and birdlife.
  • Spend time observing Gir’s dry forest landscape rather than focusing only on lion sightings.
  • Return to the lodge for a relaxed break during the warmer part of the day.
  • Take an afternoon/evening safari for another guided wildlife experience.
  • Return for dinner.

Overnight: Gir National Park

Note: Gir Jungle Safari operates through official permits and is closed annually from 16 June to 15 October.

  • Leave Gir after breakfast and drive towards the former princely town of Gondal.
  • Explore the Naulakha Palace/Darbargadh collections and get a glimpse of Gondal’s royal heritage.
  • Visit the Swaminarayan Temple and learn about the town’s traditional Ayurvedic heritage.
  • Head into the grasslands around Gondal to look for blackbuck, nilgai and local birdlife.
  • Spend time around the town’s lakes before returning.

Overnight: Gir National Park

  • Next morning, drive towards Dasada, one of the main gateways to the Little Rann of Kutch.
  • Check in at your resort and take some time to relax after the journey.
  • In the evening, head out on a guided jeep safari in the Wild Ass Sanctuary.
  • Experience the Little Rann’s unusual mix of salt flats, scrubland and seasonal wetlands.
  • Return to the resort for dinner and an overnight stay.

Overnight: Dasada

  • Begin the next morning with a safari across the Little Rann, when wildlife activity and birdwatching can be particularly rewarding.
  • Look for the Indian wild ass, along with nilgai, foxes, jackals and other desert wildlife.
  • During winter, watch for flamingos, cranes and other migratory birds around the wetlands.
  • Head out again in the evening to experience the changing light and landscape of the Rann.
  • Return to the resort for an overnight stay.

Overnight: Dasada

  • Enjoy breakfast the next morning before leaving Dasada for Ahmedabad.
  • Drive through Gujarat’s changing rural landscape on the way to the city.
  • Check in at your hotel on arrival and take some time to relax.
  • Keep the rest of the day free for local sightseeing, shopping or trying Gujarati food.
  • Stay overnight in Ahmedabad and prepare for departure later for your onward journey.

Package Inclusions & Exclusions

  • Accommodation in well-appointed rooms at the confirmed hotels.
  • Daily breakfast at the hotel as per the confirmed meal plan.
  • Airport/railway station transfers as mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Intercity road transfers and sightseeing as per the confirmed itinerary.
  • Sightseeing and experiences specifically mentioned in the final itinerary.
  • Driver allowances, parking charges, toll taxes and fuel costs for included road transfers.
  • Applicable taxes as mentioned in the final quotation.
  • International airfare and domestic airfare unless specifically included in the final quotation.
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, tips, shopping and room service.
  • Meals not mentioned in the confirmed itinerary.
  • Jungle safari booking fees, festival fees, camera fees, or guide/naturalist charges unless included.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Any expense that may arise due to weather conditions, flight delays, cancellations or circumstances beyond control.
  • New government taxes or charges introduced after package confirmation.

Important Information

  • Passport or valid government-issued photo ID.
  • Comfortable walking shoes for safari and city sightseeing.
  • A light jacket or layer in case you are visiting in winter.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for hot afternoons in the park and daytime sightseeing.
  • Rain protection if travelling during or close to the monsoon.
  • Personal medicines and a basic first-aid kit.
  • Loungewear for resort stays.
  • Charger, travel adapter and power bank.
  • Drone usage without prior permission from the relevant authorities.
  • Photography in restricted areas.
  • Getting out of the safari vehicle except at designated locations.
  • Feeding, teasing or disturbing wild animals.
  • Playing loud music or creating unnecessary noise inside the reserve.
  • Littering or leaving plastic waste inside the forest.
  • Entering restricted areas or leaving the designated safari route.
  • Ignoring instructions given by the park guide or forest authorities.
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Best fit: November to February

These are the strongest months for the tour. Cooler weather makes repeated jeep safaris more comfortable, while the Little Rann attracts significant migratory birdlife during winter. Gujarat Tourism also recommends winter for both Gir and the Wild Ass Sanctuary.

Also possible: March to April and mid-October onward

The parks remain open, and wildlife safaris are possible, although March and April become progressively warmer. Travel from 16 October onward is workable once the main reserves reopen after the monsoon.

Avoid / least suitable: May to mid-October

May and early June can be very hot, making repeated open-jeep safaris tiring. From 16 June to 15 October, Gir Jungle Safari is closed, while the Wild Ass Sanctuary operates only from 16 October to 15 June, so the itinerary cannot run as written during the main monsoon period.

  • Book Gir safari permits in advance through the official Gujarat Forest Department system; permits are limited and urgent/tatkal booking is not offered.
  • Carry a valid photo ID and report at the safari reception point at least 15 minutes before departure.
  • Gir safari timings change between winter and summer, so confirm your allocated morning and evening slots before travel.
  • Lion sightings are never guaranteed. Gir should be experienced for its wider wildlife, birdlife and forest landscape as well.
  • Expect very early mornings and long safari days on Days 3, 4 and 7; carry layers in winter and sun protection in warmer months.
  • Inside Gir, do not feed animals, leave the vehicle, litter, honk or disturb wildlife. Smoking and alcohol are prohibited, and plastic items are restricted in the forest.
  • The Little Rann is an exposed salt-desert landscape, so carry sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat and drinking water.
  • Access to Gondal’s private grasslands and some birding areas may depend on the hotel or local arrangements, so this experience should be reconfirmed before travel.
  • Wear neutral, comfortable clothing for safaris and carry binoculars if wildlife and birdwatching are priorities.
  • Keep some flexibility for weather, permit availability and forest department instructions, as safari routes and operations can change.

Additional Information

  • A 25% deposit is required to confirm the booking.
  • The balance payment must be made 15 days before the start date.
  • Full payment is required for late bookings/peak season.
  • Additional payments need to be made as per supplier deadlines.

  • Cheque/Demand Draft

  • Bank Transfer

  • QR Code

  • Cancellation charges apply as per the final confirmed booking terms.

  • Refund processing may take 2–4 weeks due to banking procedures.

  • No refunds are available for partially used services or cancellations made after the journey has commenced.

Note: The cancellation amount is calculated based on the total booking amount, not the advance deposited. Charges may vary; view the full cancellation/refund policy here.

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