Gir National Park in September
Gujarat, India
Skip — park still closed; reopen Oct 16. Book reopen-week permits now.
September at Gir is the final closure month — the park has been shut since Jun 16 and reopens Oct 16. Monsoon retreats through September, the forest greens to peak, and pre-reopen anticipation builds at Sasan-area lodges. By late September, Forest Dept staff prepare permits for the October 16 reopening rush.
The September story
September is the last full month of Gir's monsoon closure — the park has been shut for 75 days and reopens in 30. Sasan-area lodges (The Fern, Asiatic Lion Lodge, Aramness) operate at deep off-season rates through the month, with late-September seeing the first wave of pre-reopen bookings for the October reopen rush. Travellers using Gir as a Saurashtra-circuit base get atmospheric monsoon-tail lodge stays without safari access. The Sinh Sadan crocodile breeding centre operates year-round; Kamleshwar Dam viewing platform remains accessible. Maldhari cattle camps function year-round but tourism visits cease. The Asiatic lion safari story waits 30 more days.
Why September scores 2.0/10
Weather
Closed
What to do in Gir National Park this September
- 1Lodge stay only
- 2Skip safari entirely
- 3Pre-reopen permit booking
- 4Junagadh heritage day-trip
- 5Indoor lodge experiences
Who should go
- ✓First-time travelers
- ✓Senior citizens
- ✓Slow travellers using lodge as base
- ✓Saurashtra circuit drivers
- ✓Pre-reopen permit bookers
Who should think twice
- ✗All safari travellers
- ✗Wildlife photographers wanting safari
- ✗Asiatic lion seekers
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 |
| Septemberviewing | 2.0/10 | Closed |
| October | 4.0/10 | Reopens mid-Oct, forest still dense |
| November | 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 September
- ▸Light rain jacket
- ▸Quick-dry footwear
- ▸Light cotton
- ▸Camera
- ▸Modest temple clothing
Nearby in Gujarat scoring high in September
How to reach Gir National Park
Airport
Diu — 90km / Rajkot — 160km
Rail
Junagadh — 60km
Access in September
Park closes during monsoon season, peak rainfall makes roads impassable
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