Sasangir is home of the world renowned Asiatic Lions, and India has the distinction of being its last earthly refuge.

The Sasangir National Park and Lion Sanctuary is located in the Kathiwad peninsula of Gujarat and is the one and only remaining habitat of this proud and majestic species. The sanctuary is spread over 1150 sq km and is located at an altitude of 225-648 m above sea level. Sasangir Lion Sanctuary is home of some 300 Asiatic lions. From being close to an extinct species, the number of Asiatic lions has been steadily rising here since 1980. A tour of the forest, which consists of teak with a mixture of deciduous trees, including sal (Shorea), dhak (Butea frondosa), and thorn forests, is best undertaken on a jeep safari. The terrain is rugged with steep rocky hillsides. A few springs also exist, but their flow is unsteady, usually depending upon the season.

The Asiatic lion once roamed the countryside from Asia Minor and Arabia through Persia to India. In fact, till the advent of the British, it roamed throughout the northern and central states of India, from Sindh to Bengal and southward to the Narmada basin. But hunters were already hot on its trail. Looked upon as royal game-and rightly so-the lion was hunted mercilessly, right from Mughal times. As a result, the creature began to withdraw from most parts of its acclaimed territory in India. With the killing of the last lion outside Gujarat in 1884, the species was finally wiped out from everywhere save the Sasangir forest.

At the turn of the century, Sasangir was a splendid mixed deciduous forest of teak, acacia, ziziphus, and banyan, sprawled over some 3,386 sq. km. Lions would have thrived here, were it not for their enemies-hunters and a devastating famine that all but wiped out the prey species. At one time the estimated number of lions went down to as low as thirty. To save the lions from extinction, the region was declared a forest reserve in 1965. Later on in 1974, the reserve was declared a national park and the protected area coverage was increased.

The Asiatic lion alone draws the majority of visitors to the park each year. Sasangir is the only place in the world other than the African continent where the lion can be observed in its natural habitat. An Asiatic lion is considerably less shaggy looking than his African counterpart. The best time to observe lions in their natural surroundings is at dawn and dusk, when they are on the prowl. Though the Asiatic lion is an elusive creature, a morning safari awards a good chance of seeing it, in contrast to a hot afternoon safari.

The forest is also home to species like leopard, chital, chinkara (gazelle), wild boar, wild ass, nilgai, spotted deer, and four-horned antelope. Monkeys, parrots, and India’s national bird, the peacock, inhabit it as well. A crocodile-rearing and research centre also flourishes adjacent to Sinh Sadan Lodge, where hatchlings are reared and then released into their natural habitat.

The park area is rich in flora too and the major varieties that one can see there are teak, jamun (Syzigium cumini), acacia, and banyan. Sasangir forest area also includes the Nalsarovar Lake and Sanctuary, where birds like paradise flycatcher, back-headed cuckoo, pied woodpecker, various species of eagles, painted sand grouse, bush quail, flamingo, partridge, parrot, and peacock may be seen. The park also has a small temple dedicated to Lord Krishna near the Tulsi Shyam springs. Wildlife photography is another interesting option and machans (watchtowers) and hides have been raised near waterholes to give visitors an opportunity to get a closer look at the lions. One can also visit other places in the vicinity like Junagadh and Somnath famous for their history and religious importance.

The Sasangir area is usually dry and arid, but with the onset of monsoon greenery returns and the region assumes a fresh and renewed face. Summers (April-June) are harsh with temperatures as high as 44°C while winters (December-February) are cool. The average rainfall changes from place to place in the park. The Sasangir National Park is open from November to May (9 am to 6 pm). The best months to visit the park are from December to March. The park is closed between the months of June to October.