Sasangir National Park was established in order to conserve the Asiatic Lion, on 18th September 1965, as a Forest Reserve with an area of about 2,450 hectares. A principal part of the Junagadh District of Gujarat, it is 90 kms from the Keshod Airport in the Kathiawar (Saurashtra) Peninsula. A small town named Sasan with a forest rest house, is the headquarters of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary. A hilly terrain with a dense network of rivers is the distinct feature of Sasangir National Park. Sasangir was declared partially as a Wildlife Sanctuary and partially a National Park in 1975.

Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary is one and the only existing habitat of the Asiatic lion found only in these forests since 1884 whose statistical figures are around 300 presently. The Asiatic lion differs from the African Lion in its size, which is slightly smaller than its African cousin. The national park is made of three adjoining reserves - the Nalsarovar Lake and Sanctuary inhabiting several water-birds; the Little Rann of Kutch, home to the Indian Wild Ass; and the captivating Flamingo Island make the Sasangir National Park an ideal place for wildlife buffs.

The Sasangir National Park boasts of many antique temples like Kankai Mata and Tulsishyam. The best way to explore the national park and enjoy the wildlife viewing in the Sasangir wildlife sanctuary is by jeep safari. The best long jeep drives from Sasan are conducted to Baval Chowk and Kankai, Chodavdi, Tulsishyam and to Kamaleshwar dam.

The Flora in Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary The Sasangir National Park is a mixed deciduous forest with well spread stock of teak, flame of the forest, some Acacia and Banyan trees. A unique belt of vegetation is found along the main rivers and streams. Species like the Jamun, Karanj, Ber, Tendu, Semul, Umro, Vad, Kalam, Charal, Sirus and Amli are found here. These trees are mostly broad leaved and evergreen, giving the area a cool shelter and the moisture content.

The Fauna in the Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary Sasangir is not just about Lions, the second most commonly found predator in the Sasangir is Leopard. Infact, Gir national park also houses 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 tourist lodges.

Other animal residents of the Sasangir national park are Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Chowsingha, Chinkara Gazelle, Wild Boar, Langur, Jackal, Panthers, Wild Cats and Hares and Hyena.

The Avi-fauna in the Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary The presence of a large number of water bodies and suitable climatic conditions prevalent within the park has made it a haven for a large number of bird species. Numerous birds like Paradise Flycatchers, Black headed Cuckoo Shrike, Gray Drongo, Pied Woodpeckers, Coppersmiths, Indian Rollers, Crested Swifts, Fish Owls, Black Vultures, Shaheen Falcons, Bonelli's Eagles, Flamingo, Crested Serpent Eagles, Painted Sandgrouse, Rock Bush Quail, Gray Partridge, Painted Storks and White Necked Storks are found here.

The Reptiles in the Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary The reptile population of the park is mainly represented by Marsh Crocodiles, Monitor Lizards, Pythons and a large variety of snakes. There is an interesting breeding farm for crocodile at Sasan, which also provides the specimens that are relocated into the water reservoirs inside Sasangir.

Jeep Safaris The best way to see the big cats is, of course, in their natural habitats, at dawn and dusk, when they are on the prowl. Wildlife viewing in the Gir’s is best done, by driving a jeep around the forest.

How To Get There??
Air : The nearest airport from Sasangir is Keshod 90 km via Veraval. Visitors can easily catch daily flights from Mumbai to Keshod
Rail : The nearest rail connection is the meter gauge rail line of 395 km from Ahemdabad.
Road : Sasangir is situated at a distance of 400 km from Ahmedabad via Rajkot, Junagadh and Mendarda. State Transport buses are easily available from Junagadh and Veraval to Gir, between November and June.