Gir Safari Draws Few Tourists on Opening, 124 Permits Go Unbooked On First Day

The reopening of Gujarat’s popular wildlife safaris has failed to generate the expected excitement, with most permits for the initial trips at Sasan Gir and Girnar remaining unsold. On October 9, just 26 of the 150 permits available for the Gir Jungle Safari were booked, leaving 124 vacant, while bookings for the Girnar Nature Safari were also strikingly low.

The weak response has come despite the start of the new safari season, with wildlife enthusiasts questioning whether the Forest Department should have resumed operations so soon after the monsoon break.

Weekend Bookings Also Remain Dismal

The lack of demand has continued into the weekend, traditionally a busy period for wildlife tourism. For Saturday, October 10, Sasan Gir offered 180 permits across three trips, but only eight had been booked, leaving 172 available.

The first trip had just one booking against 60 permits. The second trip had three bookings, while the third had four, according to the figures provided.

Such low numbers stand out at a destination known for attracting visitors hoping to spot Asiatic lions in their natural habitat.

Girnar Safari Sees Even Weaker Interest

The situation at Girnar, near Junagadh, has been equally concerning for safari operators. The facility offers eight daily slots, split between four morning and four afternoon trips.

Bookings for October 9 were limited, with just one permit reportedly secured for the morning safari. Demand for the October 10 and 11 weekend was also reported to be negligible, with permits remaining largely unclaimed.

The figures suggest that the reopening has yet to translate into significant tourist interest at either destination.

Monsoon Conditions Fuel Conservation Concerns

The timing of the reopening has drawn criticism from wildlife enthusiasts, who have raised concerns about the condition of forest roads and thick vegetation following the monsoon.

Heavy rainfall can damage access routes and alter conditions within forest areas. Critics believe the Forest Department should carefully assess these factors before allowing safari operations to resume, particularly during a sensitive period for wildlife conservation.

The poor booking response has also prompted questions about the department’s decision to reopen the facilities despite the concerns raised by visitors and conservation-minded citizens.

Devalia Safari Records A Different Trend

While Sasan Gir and Girnar have struggled to attract bookings, the Devalia Jungle Safari has seen stronger demand. Permits for its scheduled reopening on October 9 were reportedly sold out more than a week in advance.

The contrasting booking trends have brought attention to the response among tourists at different wildlife destinations in the region.

As the safari season gets underway, the initial figures have put the spotlight on visitor demand, post-monsoon forest conditions and the Forest Department’s responsibility to balance wildlife tourism with conservation priorities.