Know how to reach Gir National Park from Mumbai

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People living in Mumbai are always searching for a fascinating tourist spot, which they can visit during their vacation. The neighbouring state, Gujarat, has one such excellent location, called Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. Earlier, when online maps were not in use, people mostly relied on travel agents for enjoying a vacation in this wildlife reserve. Today, the tourists of Mumbai wondering how to reach Gir can get the appropriate directions through the online maps. Owing to the recent developments in technology, one can get a near accurate distance and time required to reach Gir National Park from any city by using such maps on their laptops or handheld devices.

Established in the year 1965, this wildlife reserve is spread over a vast area of 1,412 square kilometres. What makes it truly special is the fact that it is the only natural habitat of Asiatic Lions in the world. In recent times, population of Asiatic Lions in this region has increased to a great extent as compared to just 15 when this forest area and lions were declared as 'protected' for the first time. The distance from Mumbai to Gir forest is about 774 kilometres by road according to the online maps. It would take 11-14 hours from Mumbai to reach Gir National Park, depending on the traffic conditions.

The airport located at Diu, in India’s union territory of Daman and Diu, offers the required convenience to the air travellers in reaching Gir National Park. Both non-stop and connecting flights reduce the travel time from Mumbai to Gir Forest National Park considerably as compared to the time taken to reach this region by road. It takes close to an hour and five minutes by non-stop flights, and a little more than two hours and thirty-five minutes by connecting flights to reach Diu from Mumbai's airport.

Gir: an ideal destination for spotting Asiatic Lions

Asiatic Lions in Gir National Park

Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Indian state, Gujarat, is the only place in the world where one can find Asiatic Lions in their natural habitat. It attracts many leisure tourists and wildlife enthusiasts every year. An accommodation in Gir would help tourists in getting to this region conveniently for enjoying wildlife tours. Lion population in this part of the world has been brilliantly conserved owing to the immensely successful lion breeding programme. Initiated by the authorities, it covers the entire park and its surrounding area.

Besides the abundant flora of this wildlife sanctuary, tourists would also get to witness different species of wild animals, reptiles, and birds. Some of the carnivores found in the national park are Asiatic lions, sloth bears, striped hyenas, Indian leopards, and golden jackals. Four-horned antelopes, blackbucks, nilgais, Indian gazelles, and sambars are among the herbivorous animals of this region. After having an exciting tour of the national park, tourists can enjoy some mouth-watering delicacies in the restaurants in Gir located at the resorts where they are lodged. Most of them include popular varieties of local as well as other popular cuisines on their menu.

Monsoon arrives in Gir during the month of June and lasts till the end of September, dampening the earth considerably. As a result, the national park remains closed from the second week of June to the end of October. During winters, temperatures in this wildlife reserve drop considerably, but pleasant daytime temperatures and reasonable Gir resort tariffs make this time of the year ideal for wildlife tours. Summer is experienced from the month of March till May in this region, with temperatures soaring to the level of 45-Degree Celsius at times. Animals choose to spend most of their time under the shade of trees or close to the water bodies during summers.