Heading towards Sasangir (also referred to as Sasan Gir Forest & Sanctuary and Gir Sanctuary), only 65 kilometers/40 miles from Junagadh we passed a Sadhu, usually recognizable because of their ochre-colored clothing symbolizing renunciation…View image. A Sadhu can be called a mystic, ascetic or just a wandering monk (holy man). Always dramatic, always easy to spot. Past small towns, more cotton fields, bales of cotton sitting along the road…View image, bullock carts, and gigantic loads of sugar cane.
During the ride, Niru proceeded to fill our brains with all kinds of information ranging from tipping costs to what to expect in Sasangir National Park. All important to know before you go with the most important fact being: the National Park Service constantly changes the rules. Tourists enter in the morning and find the evening game drive rules and costs have been changed once again. Do not rely on any of the information below. Odds are, the Indian Government has changed the rules and restrictions.
Tipping, Additional Park Costs and Sasangir (Sasan Gir) information:
– A naturalist and driver from the Park Service accompanies each jeep and expects to be tipped for good service even though you’ve paid for all of this. Anywhere from 200-300 Rupees to each person is considered a fair tip.
– There are camera fees for each camera and each entrance into the park. If you have morning and evening game drives, there are double camera fees. No exceptions! Park rangers monitor all activity inside Sasangir and your guide could lose his license if you try to sneak in an extra camera while he looks the other way.
– There were outlandish camcorder fees of $50 U.S. for each use. I decided that since the light probably wouldn’t be good in early morning and late afternoon to forget it. Otherwise, it would cost another $100 U.S. per day.
– There are entrance and permit fees per person in addition to all the other fees. Only 30 vehicles are allowed into the park at one time. Have your agent apply for permits in advance or risk disappointment in high season.
– Private cars are allowed into the park and also pay an entrance fee. It isn’t advisable to drive your automobile. The roads are terrible, bumpy, muddy and rutted in Gir Sanctuary Zone that covers 4 square kilometers.
– There are specific routes through the park. No off road searching for animals is allowed a la Kenya. The naturalist and driver accompanying you decide before each game run which route they will take. That route is then registered with the park service at the entrance into Sasangir. Only one route per game drive is permitted. If it so happens that route is a dud while on it, que sera. Perhaps you’ll have better luck on the next game drive.
– Visitors can join a group tour to cut down on expenses. This is arranged by your hotel, tour operator or at the park entrance. We arranged private jeep safaris for three game drives to maximize seeing Asiatic Lions. Do at least two game drives. After all, you’ve probably come to Sasangir (Sasan Gir) to see the only Asiatic Lions on the entire continent.
– Summer and Winter Park hours vary just a bit. Think…6:00 -9:30a and 3:30-6:00p. Wake around 4:00a, grab a cup of coffee, drive to the park entrance, change into jeeps, complete formalities, and wait in the cold at the entrance until the park opens; not a nano-second before 6:00a The park is closed from June-October during monsoon season.
– Important: It is freezing on early morning game drives until the sun rises. Driving along in an open jeep with wind in your face is not fun, especially if you don’t see any animals. You wouldn’t believe how bundled up we all were (driver, naturalist and Niru included) and I still froze. Wear warm clothes! Take hats and blankets from your hotel to wrap around mummy-style. And, get ready to suck up hours of dust from other jeeps in front of you!
Our car finally passed signs announcing that we were entering the perimeters of Sasangir National Park…View image. A little further on, a crowd of people stood alongside the road, peering into the bushes. Stopped the car and got out to see what was happening…View image. A lone crocodile blended in so perfectly with its surroundings, it took a while before my eyes focused on it.
The crowd of people was waiting for a park service ranger to come, get the crocodile and transport the croc further into the park area.
Lion Safari Camp, we were ready for you…
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