Sasan Gir Lion sanctuary is definitely one of India's success stories. From a pitifully small number of around twenty lions at the turn of the century there are now approximately three hundred lions in the park. If we compare this number to the populations of 20 to 30 tigers in most Project Tiger parks we can see that our chance of a lion sighting is good.

The Gir lion sanctuary project was initiated in 1972 with one of its main objectives being to remove the local indigenous people from the interior of the park. The reason for the displacement of this devoutly religious pastoral community was their on-going conflict with the Gir Lions.

Gir 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 wildlife to look out for are the Four-Horned Antelope,Wild Boar, Wolf, Hyena, Jackal, Jungle Cat, Chinkara, Blue Bull, Marsh Muggers as well as a wonderful variety of bird species.

The park is one of the best protected sanctuaries in India with as many as eight hundred guards patrolling the entire park. When they are not looking out for illegal grazers or cutters they are filling up the numerous artificial water holes. These are vital in periods of drought for the lions prey species which have rapidly increased in number under the protection of the park authorities. The lions feeding habits have changed back to a normal pattern with wild ungulates accounting for seventy percent of their kills.

Another fascinating aspect of Gir is that it is also home to several Negro families . They only marry within their own community are Muslim and speak the local language which is Gujurati. They have no real knowledge of agriculture but under the Government Assisted Scheme for tribal persons have become landowners in their own right.

The park is open from mid October and wildlife viewing is by jeep. The park is best reached by internal flight from Mumbai to Rajkot followed by a relatively comfortable car transfer. There are a number of unique and fascinating cultural sites nearby.