Gir National Park: Tourist Rush and Safari Booking Update

Safari booking update

Gir safari booking

Gir National Park

• Author : Adeeb Sahil
• Date : November 12, 2026

Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only natural home of the Asiatic lion. It is one of the main wildlife tourism destinations in India. During the Diwali holidays, Sasan Gir receives visitors from different states who want to see Asiatic lions and explore the forest. According to reports, more than 15,000 tourists are expected to visit the area within one week of the holiday period. This sudden rise in tourist numbers has increased the demand for safari permits. The Forest Department is also managing more visitors during this busy period. The latest safari booking situation, alternative wildlife parks, and changes in safari timings are important details for people planning a visit to the region.

 

High Tourist Demand and Booking Status

The increase in tourist numbers has created high demand for permits at Gir National Park. According to the latest booking information in the reports, permits for the main forest safari are fully booked until 23 October 2026. The November festival dates have also been completely reserved. Online safari permits are further reported to be booked until December.

This means tourists who have not booked their permits may find it difficult to get entry for their preferred dates. The main forest safari has a fixed number of daily permits because the number of vehicles entering the protected forest is controlled by the Forest Department. This system helps manage tourist movement inside the wildlife area.

Another concern during the busy season is the risk of fake bookings. The Forest Department has advised tourists to make reservations only through its official website. Some unofficial websites and agents claim to provide confirmed Gir safari permits. However, their booking confirmations may not be valid, and tourists may lose money after making payments.

If assistance is required, then visitors can look for a reliable booking assistance portal before paying for any permit. They should also avoid sharing payment details with unreliable agents. A valid confirmation from the authorised website is necessary for entry into the safari area. These precautions are especially important when genuine permits are difficult to find during popular holiday dates.

 

Devaliya Park Offers Another Lion Experience

Devaliya Safari Park is an interpretation area located in the Gir landscape that allows people to see lions from their safari vehicles. There is one significant difference between the two safari parks, which is the kind of wildlife experience people get in these two places. The main forest safari normally takes about three hours. In the course of this safari, tourists go through the forest where the lions and other animals roam freely, depending on their natural behavior. Thus, it is impossible to guarantee that the tourists will see the lions, because their appearance cannot be controlled.

However, the arrangement is quite different at Devaliya Park. The tourists are taken through an enclosed area in a secure transport facility and are provided with a greater opportunity to observe the lions. As the animals are found in the designated area at the park, the visitors have a more predictable experience overall.

This method is useful for families who would like to see lions but do not wish to completely depend upon sighting them during a long forest safari. A tourist from Kolkata has recently shared his family’s experience of touring both these sites. In an earlier visit to Gir, he had opted for the primary three-hour forest safari. During this safari, he got to see the lionesses crossing the road right in front of his transport vehicle.

During his latest trip, he opted for Devaliya Park for his family. In this instance, his family witnessed the lions walking about freely within the enclosure from a safe distance. These two trips illustrate how these two places offer different experiences. While the forest safari offers visitors the chance to explore the forest, Devaliya Park gives a better chance of witnessing the lions in a relatively short trip.

 

Early Opening of Safari Services

Sasan Gir remains closed for a scheduled period every year for maintenance. This year, the safari services were originally expected to reopen on 16 October 2026. However, the Forest Department reopened the services on 7 October 2026, nine days before the planned date.

The change in the reopening schedule meant that tourists could start visiting the forest earlier than expected. It also increased the number of operating days available during the festive period. This was an important update for visitors who had planned their holidays around the original reopening date.

The early reopening was not limited to Sasan Gir. Two other safari destinations in Gujarat, Girnar Safari in Junagadh and Barda Safari in Porbandar, also resumed their services during the same period.

Girnar Safari is located near the Girnar hills & gives visitors an opportunity to explore the area's wildlife. Barda Safari offers another wildlife tourism option in the Porbandar region, including opportunities for visitors interested in lion viewing.

These destinations are different from the main Gir forest safari in terms of their locations and wildlife experiences. Their reopening also gave tourists more destinations to consider during the holiday season. However, visitors should check the separate entry conditions and safari schedules of each location because the arrangements are not the same.

 

Tourist Arrangements and Travel Planning

The Forest Department is taking steps to handle the high number of tourists expected at Sasan Gir during the Diwali holidays. Safari services are being organised, and staff members are helping visitors with crowd control, entry procedures, and forest rules.

Before starting the journey, tourists should carefully check their safari permit. It contains important details about the assigned entry point & reporting time. Visitors must reach the mentioned location at the correct time rather than follow general safari schedules.

Families travelling with children or elderly people should choose their safari experience carefully. The main forest safari lasts around three hours inside a vehicle. Devaliya offers a different and more controlled wildlife viewing experience.

Visitors should also consider the weather, travel distance, hotel check-in time, and local transport while planning their visit. These details can affect their arrival at the safari entry point.

During the safari, everyone must follow the driver, guide, and forest staff's instructions. Staying inside the vehicle, keeping a safe distance from animals, avoiding loud sounds, and never feeding or attracting wildlife are important safety rules.

Keep your Gir safari booking confirmation and valid identification documents ready for checking.

As Diwali brings more visitors to Gujarat's wildlife destinations, permit availability remains important. With main forest safari permits already booked for several dates, tourists can also explore Devaliya, Girnar, & Barda to compare different wildlife experiences before planning their trip.