What is the best time to visit Gir?

December to March for pleasant weather and good sightings, November to February for comfort and April to May for the best lion sightings despite the heat.

When is Gir National Park closed?

From 16 June to 15 October during the monsoon. The Devalia Safari Park usually stays open year round.

Is summer good for a Gir safari?

Yes, for sightings. It is hot, up to about 43°C, but animals gather at the waterholes, so April and May are prime for lion sightings and photography, with safaris kept to early morning and evening.

Does it get cold in Gir?

Winter mornings can be genuinely chilly, dropping to around 10°C, so carry warm clothing for the early safari, even though the days are pleasant.

Gir Forest Weather & Temperature: Best Time for a Lion Safari

Q: What is the temperature in Gir forest?

It ranges from about 10°C on winter mornings to around 43°C at the peak of summer, with pleasant winter days of about 22°C to 25°C.

HHarsh Rawat10 Aug 20264 min read

Gir National Park has a warm, dry climate, with temperatures ranging from about 10°C on winter mornings to 43°C at the peak of summer. The park is open for safaris from 16 October to 15 June and closed during the monsoon. December to March is the best time for pleasant weather, while the hot months of April and May give the best lion sightings, as animals gather at the shrinking waterholes.

With Gir, the weather and the wildlife go hand in hand, the season you choose changes both how comfortable you are and how likely you are to see a lion. I was born on this coast and have sent countless travellers on the Gir safari, so here is the temperature month by month, the seasons and the honest trade-off between comfort and sightings. To do the safari as part of a full circuit, our Somnath Dwarka Tour Package from Experience My India can include Gir.

What is the temperature in Gir forest?

Gir has a hot, dry deciduous-forest climate with three clear seasons. Winter days are pleasant at around 22°C to 25°C, but mornings can drop to about 10°C, so early safaris feel genuinely chilly. Summer is hot, climbing to about 41°C to 43°C in April and May and the monsoon brings heavy rain when the park is closed. The figures below are typical averages and vary year to year, so check a live forecast close to your dates.

Gir forest temperature month by month

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Park / season
January	28°C	10°C	Open, winter (best)
February	30°C	12°C	Open, winter (best)
March	34°C	18°C	Open, early summer
April	38°C	23°C	Open, hot (best sightings)
May	41°C	26°C	Open, hottest (best sightings)
June (to 15th)	38°C	27°C	Open until 15 June
July	32°C	26°C	Closed (monsoon)
August	30°C	25°C	Closed (monsoon)
September	32°C	25°C	Closed (monsoon)
October (from 16th)	35°C	23°C	Reopens 16 October
November	33°C	18°C	Open, pleasant
December	29°C	12°C	Open, winter (best)

Gir weather by season

Winter (November to February)

The most comfortable and popular season. Days are cool and pleasant at about 22°C to 25°C, with crisp mornings that can dip to 10°C. Post-monsoon greenery lingers early on and Kamleshwar Dam fills with migratory birds. It is ideal for long, comfortable safaris, though lion sightings can be a little harder than in summer because water is plentiful. This is peak season, so book permits well ahead.

Summer (March to June)

Summer is hot, rising to about 41°C to 43°C in April and May and the afternoons can be harsh. But this is when wildlife viewing is at its best: as the land dries out and waterholes shrink, lions and other animals gather around them, which is why photographers favour these months. Safaris are kept to the cooler early morning and evening. The park stays open until 15 June.

Monsoon (mid-June to mid-October) - park closed

Gir closes to safaris from 16 June to 15 October, when the south-west monsoon turns the forest muddy and marshy and gives the wildlife a season to breed and regenerate. The landscape becomes lush and beautiful, but jungle safaris are not possible. The Devalia Safari Park (the interpretation zone) usually stays open year round as an alternative for spotting lions.

When is the best time to visit Gir?

It depends on what you want. For the best balance of comfortable weather and good sightings, aim for December to March. For the most comfortable weather and winter birdlife, come November to February. For the very best lion sightings and photography, brave the heat of April and May, when animals crowd the waterholes. And for lush post-monsoon scenery with fewer crowds, visit soon after the park reopens in late October or November. Whichever you choose, book your safari permits well in advance. For the routes and airports, see how to reach Gir.

Gir safari timings

Safaris run in two shifts a day and the times shift slightly with the season. Morning safaris run roughly 6:45 to 9:45 AM in winter and 6:15 to 9:15 AM in summer; evening safaris run about 3:00 to 6:00 PM in winter and 3:30 to 6:30 PM in summer. The first hour of the morning and the last hour of the evening are usually the best for sightings. Permits are limited and sell out fast, so book well ahead, especially over Christmas, New Year and long weekends.

What to pack for a Gir safari

Winter: layers, with a warm jacket, cap and gloves for the cold morning safari and lighter clothes for the day.

Summer: light cottons in earthy colours, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and plenty of water.

Any season: binoculars, a good camera with a zoom lens and neutral clothing that blends with the forest rather than bright colours.

Plan your Gir safari with Experience My India

Tell us your dates and we will pick the right season for you, arrange the stay and the safari permits and fit Gir with Somnath and Dwarka. You can add it as a Somnath and Gir tour or arrange a car and driver. Message us on WhatsApp at +91 73006 20809 or call +91 73006 20809. You might also plan around the best time to visit Dwarka and read our full Gir travel guide.