Devalia Safari Park / Gir Interpretation Zone

Wildlife

Photo Credit: Flickr

Distance (From Sasan Gir Bus Stand): 11 Kms

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 1-2 Hours

Place Location: At Devalia

Transportation Options: Cab

Travel Tips: For Gypsy Safari the permit doesn't includes Guide charge (Rs. 400) and Gypsy charge (Rs. 1500), which must be paid separately to respective Guides and Gypsy vehicle owners.

At a distance of 11 km from Gir National Park, Devalia Safari Park is a safari zone situated at Devalia. Also known as Gir Interpretation Zone, it was established to reduce the excess of tourists at the Gir National Park and to facilitate tourists to understand the importance of Gir and its wildlife. It is one of the best places to visit in Gir National Park.

Devalia Safari Park is an enclosed area of around 4 sq. km comprises all habitat types and all major representatives of the wildlife of Gir National Park. The basic aim of creating this facility is to provide an opportunity to view lions and other animals in their natural habitat within a short period and reduce tourist pressure on the sanctuary. The area has a good quantity of prey base in the form of Spotted Deer, Blue Bulls, Wild Boars, Blackbucks, Sambars, and Chinkaras. Spotting a Lion in its savanna habitat is a treat to the eyes of wildlife enthusiasts. One can see a good variety of grassland, as well as forest avifauna, in the area as part of Gir National Park packages.

The safari tours here are conducted in a minibus and gypsy that takes visitors to another cross-section of the Gir. There are 7 Jeep Safaris per day inside the Devalia Safari Park. A tour of Devalia is cheaper, quicker, and allows tourists to view the animals in their natural habitat in just 30 - 50 minutes including Asiatic Lion. The Devalia Safari Park is open all year round, from Thursday to Tuesday, closed on Wednesday.

To explore Devalia Safari Park one has to get a permit first. Permits are generally issued from the tourist reception center. These days yet visitors can get their permits online at https://girlion.gujarat.gov.in and that saves them from the hassle of waiting in long queues for permits. But it needs to be borne in mind that permits done online are non-refundable. Permits are limited per day. So, you need to get your permit as soon as the forest reception center opens in the morning at Sinh Sadan, Sasan Gir.

The e-permit for Gypsy is issued per vehicle, with up to 6 occupants and only 1 child between 3 -12 years. The cost depends on the day you visit, with weekends and major public holidays being the most expensive. The permit doesn't include the Guide charge (Rs. 400 only) and Gypsy charge (Rs. 1500 only), which must be paid separately to respective Guides and Gypsy vehicle owners.

Bus Safari Timings: 7.30 AM - 11 AM & 3 PM - 5 PM, Closed on Wednesday

Jeep Safari Timings: 7 AM - 7.55 AM, 8 AM - 8.55 AM, 9 AM - 9.55 AM, 10 AM - 10.55 AM, 3 PM - 3.55 PM, 4 PM - 4.55 PM & 5 PM - 5.55 PM, Closed on Wednesday

Bus Safari Cost: Rs. 150 for Indians & Rs. 2800 for Foreigners on Weekdays, Rs. 190 for Indians & Rs. 3500 for Foreigners on Weekends & Festival Days

Jeep Safari Cost for Indians: Rs. 800 for a group of 6 Persons & Rs. 100 for extra Child on Weekdays, Rs. 1000 for a group of 6 Persons, & Rs. 125 for extra Child on Weekends & Festival days

Jeep Safari Cost for Foreigners: Rs. 5600 for a group of 6 Persons & Rs. 1400 for extra Child on Weekdays, Rs. 7000 for a group of 6 persons, & Rs. 1750 for extra Child on Weekends & Festival days

Entry: Rs. 1700 for Jeep & Rs. 400 for Guide.