Mumbai to Gir by car

In October 3rd week we planned travel from Mumbai to Gir, Somnath, Diu and Junagadh. When we were planning this trip, we could not find many details for road trip from Mumbai to Gir.

As can be found on the net, best time to visit Gir National Park is after Oct the 15th, as the National Park is opened after Monsoon. Better to book online for Permit to entry to the Forest in Gir Forest Online Booking as we have to reach half an hour earlier, if booked online. Here Booking for Devalia Safari can also be done, which is an Interpretation Zone to Gir National Park. Till now 50% permits for the three time slots for Safari are issued online and 50% are issued on the spot at Sinh Sadan in Sasan Gir. From Dec 2015, early morning permits will be given online only.

We have to book Gypsy with driver and a guide separately. The Gypsy and driver can be shared if you are a small family, because 6 passengers are permitted in one Gypsy. For sharing, you can ask the interested persons yourself or with the help of the Guide standing near the que in Sinh Sadan ( Gypsy and driver booking along with guide is done here and the Safari starts from here). We booked two separate times for Safari, to increase the probability of watching The Lion.

We started early from Mumbai and took journey break in Ahmedabad, Gujarat; while going and in Vadodara, Gujarat; while returning. From Ahmedabad to Gir there are following route options:

1. Ahmedabad - Bagodara - Dhandhuka - Amreli- Sasan Gir- Rural area with road through villages. Lowest Toll but villages slower the speed
2. Ahmedabad - Bagodara - Limbdi - Gadhada - Amreli - Sasan Gir - Again Rural area through villages with less Tolls
3. Ahmedabad - Chotila - Rajkot - Gondal - Bagasara - Sasan Gir - Good roads with Tolls

We took second route, after Amreli turned to first route while going to Gir and Rajkot route while returning. As per our experience best option was route No.3 through Rajkot, roads were good and speed was also good.
The details of tour are as under
Distance travelled                         
                                

Dist.travelled	Kms
Mumbai - Ahmedabad	530
Ahmedabad - Gir	466
Gir-Diu-Somnath-Gir	250
Gir-Junagadh-Gir	150
Gir	16
Gir-Vadodara	537
Vadodara- Mumbai	430
	2379

Petrol expenses were Rs.12000/- and Toll paid to and fro was Rs. 1867/-. Though railway or train travel seems cheaper option, own car made it easy to commute to places. To get a cab or taxi to travel to all the above places and to get it as and when required would be a little tricky.