The Gir Birding Lodge is located in a large mango orchard at the entrance to the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary (Gujarat, India). Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary is a 1412 sq km tract of dry deciduous forests, acacia scrub, evergreen and semi-evergreen flora and grasslands, fed by rivers and streams. Among the many water-bodies in the reserve is the Kamleshwar Dam, known for its birdlife and for its large crocodile population.
This wildlife reserve is the last abode of the Asiatic lion and is also known for its leopard population. Other mammals that could be seen during game-watching drives are sambar (India's largest deer), spotted deer, the world's only four-horned antelope, blue bull, Indian gazelle, wild boar, langur, jackal, jungle cat, rusty-spotted cat, striped hyena and black-naped hare.
Gir is also interesting for birders with about 250 species on the forest department checklist. For those interested in herpetology, Gir has a crocodile breeding centre and is an important habitat for mugger or marsh crocodile. Many species of snakes and lizards can be seen in the sanctuary as also fresh water turtles and terrapins at the rivers and possibly the star tortoise.
Geared-up for birders and other nature lovers, the lodge has knowledgeable resident naturalists to take guests for birding walks and excursions, a natural history library and arrangements for game-watching drives in the sanctuary