Gir National Park in November
Gujarat, India
Go — full safari ops, post-monsoon greens fading, lion sightings improving daily.
November is Gir's full-flow safari month — 16-32C, post-monsoon forest drying out and opening up, Asiatic lion sightings improving week by week as undergrowth thins. Forest Dept safaris run morning (6-9am) and afternoon (3-6pm); permits still need 1-2 week advance booking but availability improves over October reopen-rush.
The November story
November is the shoulder month before December's full dry-season peak — the forest still has post-monsoon green tinting (great for photography), the lion concentrations at waterholes are building, and bird migrants are arriving. The 350+ bird species include winter visitors from Central Asia (raptors, waterfowl, warblers). Devalia Safari Park (4 sq km fenced) operates at full capacity as the guaranteed-sighting backup. Maldhari ness village visits work in the dry-cooler weather. Combine with the Girnar Parikrama (Nov 8 2026, 2 million pilgrims, 60km north at Junagadh) for a wildlife-pilgrimage double-anchor week. Sasan-area lodge rates climb but still under December peak.
Why November scores 8.0/10
Weather
November at Gir NP: 16–32°C, forest dept safaris running with solid Asiatic lion sightings. Shoulder to peak — dry-season tracking improves through Dec–Apr.
Festivals this month
Rann Utsav (Gujarat-wide, Nov–Feb) — white salt desert festival with cultural performances and camping
PEAK ALERT · JANUARY
Gir National Park is at its best in January.
Save it to your shortlist and we'll help you catch January before it fills up.
What to do in Gir National Park this November
- 1Pre-dawn 6am safari
- 2Devalia Safari Park
- 3Kamleshwar Dam viewing
- 4Maldhari ness village
- 5Combine Girnar Parikrama
Who should go
- ✓First-time travelers
- ✓Senior citizens
- ✓Wildlife photographers
- ✓Asiatic lion seekers
- ✓Bird-migration enthusiasts
- ✓Saurashtra-circuit combiners
Who should think twice
- ✗Last-minute permit-only travellers
- ✗Travellers expecting January cool
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10.0/10 | Peak season, lions visible at water holes |
| February | 10.0/10 | Best visibility, dry forest |
| March | 8.0/10 | Getting warm but good sightings |
| April | 8.0/10 | Hot but lions come to water — excellent sightings |
| May | 6.0/10 | Very hot 40°C+ but lion sightings peak |
| June | 2.0/10 | Park closes mid-June |
| July | 2.0/10 | Closed for monsoon |
| August | 2.0/10 | Closed |
| September | 2.0/10 | Closed |
| October | 4.0/10 | Reopens mid-Oct, forest still dense |
| Novemberviewing | 8.0/10 | November at Gir NP: 16–32°C, forest dept safaris running with solid Asiatic lion sightings. Shoulder to peak — dry-season tracking improves through Dec–Apr. |
| December | 10.0/10 | Perfect — cool, dry, excellent sightings |
What to pack for November
- ▸Light layers
- ▸Long sleeves
- ▸Camera with telephoto
- ▸Binoculars
- ▸Water bottle
Nearby in Gujarat scoring high in November
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