My special Gir National Park Experience

 I really can’t place my finger on one specific thing that made my visit to Gir Birding Lodge special. Maybe it was the memorable and informative birdwatching trails with Amitji, or maybe the delicious food cooked by Yakub Bhai that was so well-made that one could taste the love in them. Maybe it was the safaris we took in the wildlife-rich national park, or maybe just a combination of all these.

Gir Birding Lodge itself holds some beautiful natural energy. Sharing a common wall with the interiors of the national park, wildlife is plenty here. Not only can you do some amazing birdwatching within the grounds of the lodge itself, but we even had sightings of Spotted Deer and a Sambar stag in the mango orchards.

The best part of this lodge is their commitment to respecting and giving back to nature. No TV in the rooms means you can enjoy the sounds of nature, from birdsong throughout the day, to the occasional calls of deer at night. In addition, during a casual yet informative chat with the manager Ms. Alem, I learnt that they are involved in other eco-friendly projects, such as some small-scale organic farming, composting, and more, and they are also spearheading a movement to make tourism in Gir as a whole more sustainable. 

I also got to learn about the amazing tribal culture of Sasan Gir from her and Mr. Ramesh. I learnt about the Maldaris, who are a nomadic pastoral people, many of whom still live deep inside the park with no electricity, coexisting with the wildlife of Gir. I learnt about the Siddis, a tribal people of African descent, whose ancestors were brought to Junagadh centuries ago as mercenaries and workers. The lodge was even kind enough to organize a Siddi tribal dance program for those of us inside the lodge, accompanied by a bonfire (truly welcome in the chilly winter), and a barbecue dinner.

While most would say my stay here was of a normal length, I think anyone would find their stay here too short. Time seems to lose all meaning here, and with a variety of activities on offer, wildlife to explore, both inside and outside the park, and so much culture and history to learn about, there is loads of stuff for anyone in Gir.