- Devalia Bus Safari is operated by the Gujarat Forest Department — official buses only, no private vehicles inside Devalia.
- CLOSED every Wednesday. Open all other 6 days of the week including during monsoon season when Gir core is closed.
- Morning shift: 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM (buses depart every 30 minutes). Evening shift: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM (Winter) / 4:30 PM-6:30 PM (Summer).
- Ticket Price: ₹150 per person (Indian weekdays) | ₹190 per person (weekends & festival days).
- Foreign nationals: ₹3,800 (weekdays) | ₹4,750 (weekends).
- Bus seats guided Asiatic lion and wildlife observation inside fenced 412-hectare sanctuary.
- Perfect for budget travelers, large groups, school trips, elderly visitors & solo tourists.
📸 Gujarat Forest Department safari bus at Devalia Interpretation Zone — affordable & family-friendly
1. What is the Devalia Bus Safari?
The Devalia Bus Safari is the Forest Department's official budget-friendly safari option at the Gir Interpretation Zone (Devalia), located 12 km from Sasan Gir. Unlike the private open Gypsy option (₹1,600/vehicle), the bus safari runs on a shared, per-person ticket basis (₹150-₹190) using official Gujarat Forest Department AC/non-AC buses. The bus follows the same 412-hectare wildlife route as Gypsies, departing at 30-minute intervals throughout the morning and evening shifts. It is particularly popular with budget travelers, school groups, solo tourists, elderly visitors, and large families looking for an affordable yet genuine Gir wildlife experience.
2. Official Booking Process — Devalia Bus Safari
OFFICIAL BOOKING: https://girlion.gujarat.gov.in (GSLCS — Gujarat Forest Department Portal). WARNING: Many websites appear in search results with "Devalia Bus Safari" in their URL — most are unauthorized private agents charging service fees. Only the .gujarat.gov.in domain is official. HOW TO BOOK: (1) Go to girlion.gujarat.gov.in. (2) Select "Devalia Interpretation Zone" → Choose "Bus Safari". (3) Pick your Date & preferred Time Slot. (4) Enter all passenger details with Govt. ID numbers. (5) Pay online (UPI / Net Banking / Card). (6) Download E-ticket — print or save on mobile. WALK-IN: On-the-spot tickets available at Devalia ticket counter on weekdays (subject to availability).
📸 Official Gujarat Forest Department permit portal — only authorized source for Devalia bus safari tickets
📸 Forest bus departing from Devalia Safari Park main gate — buses run every 30 minutes
3. Devalia Bus Safari Timings 2026-27 (Complete Schedule)
CLOSED: Every WEDNESDAY (weekly maintenance & animal welfare day). MORNING SHIFT: WINTER (16 Oct – 28 Feb): 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. SUMMER (1 Mar – 15 Jun): 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM. EVENING SHIFT: WINTER: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. SUMMER: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. BUS FREQUENCY: Buses depart approximately every 30 minutes from the main Devalia ticket counter throughout both shifts. Each bus tour covers the full 412-hectare interpretation zone in 50-60 minutes. OPEN YEAR-ROUND (except Wednesdays) — including during the monsoon season when the core Gir Jungle Trail is closed (June 16 – October 15). This makes Devalia Bus Safari the go-to option for wildlife lovers visiting Gir during the rainy season.
4. Official Ticket Prices — Devalia Bus Safari 2026-27
“INDIAN NATIONALS: Weekdays (Mon-Fri): ₹150 per person. Weekends & Festival Days (Sat/Sun/National Holidays): ₹190 per person. FOREIGN NATIONALS: Weekdays: ₹3,800 per person. Weekends: ₹4,750 per person. CHILDREN: Under 5 years: FREE. 5-12 years: 50% discount on Indian rate. GROUPS: School groups & educational institutions may qualify for special group rates — contact Gujarat Forest Department for group booking. COMPARISON with Gypsy: For a group of 6 adults, Bus Safari = ₹900 total (vs ₹2,000+ for a private Gypsy). Bus safari is 5-6 times more affordable per person.”
📸 Asiatic Lion pride at Devalia — seen by virtually every bus safari group
5. Wildlife You'll See from the Devalia Forest Bus
frequently observed wildlife (seen on almost every bus safari): Asiatic Lions (resident pride with cubs) | Spotted Deer / Chital (herds of 50-200+ near every waterhole). frequently observed (seen most visits): Indian Leopard (especially morning/evening shifts) | Nilgai / Blue Bull | Chinkara / Indian Gazelle | Indian Wild Boar. BIRD SIGHTINGS: Indian Peacock (National Bird, very common) | Indian Roller | Painted Stork | Common Kingfisher | Crested Serpent Eagle. NOTE: Due to the enclosed 412-hectare design, wildlife observation is curated through guided drives compared to open wildlife areas. The Forest Department ensures optimal wildlife density within the zone.
6. Devalia Bus Safari vs Gypsy Safari — Which is Better?
DEVALIA BUS SAFARI: Price: ₹150-₹190 per person. Group capacity: 20-40 people (shared bus). Photography: Limited (shooting through windows). Open-air: No (closed AC/non-AC bus). Comfort: High (especially for elderly/children). Best for: Budget groups, families, solo travelers. DEVALIA GYPSY SAFARI: Price: ₹1,600/vehicle for max 6. Photography: Excellent (open-air 360° views). Open-air: Yes (full open exposure). Comfort: Thrilling but requires physical stability. Best for: Photographers, wildlife enthusiasts. VERDICT: For budget & comfort → Choose Bus. For photography & intimate experience → Choose Gypsy. Many visitors choose Gypsy over Bus for the premium open-air wildlife experience despite the higher cost.
📸 Open Gypsy (left) vs closed Forest bus (right) — both offer the same wildlife route at Devalia
📸 Excited passengers spotting wildlife from the Forest Department safari bus at Devalia
7. The Devalia Bus Safari Experience
THE EXPERIENCE: Upon arrival at Devalia ticket counter, purchase/show your E-ticket. A certified Forest Department naturalist accompanies every bus as a wildlife guide. The bus enters the fenced 412-hectare zone through the security gate and begins the 50-60 minute guided route. The guide communicates via intercom, pointing out wildlife, explaining animal behavior, and narrating facts about the Gir ecosystem. The bus makes strategic stops at key wildlife zones (lion territory, deer meadows, bird areas). Passengers are requested to remain quiet and seated throughout. Photography is permitted through the bus windows — bring a zoom lens for best results. After completing the circuit, the bus returns to the main gate.
8. Expert Tips for the Best Devalia Bus Safari
“TIP 1: Book the EARLIEST morning slot (7-7:30 AM) — lions are most active at dawn. TIP 2: Sit on the SIDE WINDOWS for better wildlife visibility (both sides of bus). TIP 3: Keep your camera READY at all times — wildlife appears suddenly without warning. TIP 4: Carry a ZOOM LENS (70-200mm minimum) — from bus windows you need reach. TIP 5: SILENCE is paramount — the guide will alert everyone to stay quiet near animals. TIP 6: Book in advance for WEEKENDS — weekday morning slots are less competitive. TIP 7: Visit DEVALIA on MONSOON DAYS when Gir jungle trail is closed — it's the only safari available Jul-Oct. TIP 8: Wear subdued colors even on the bus (earthy tones: khaki, olive, brown).”
Devalia Bus Safari Quick Reference:
Official Booking: https://girlion.gujarat.gov.in → "Devalia Interpretation Zone" → "Bus Safari"
Key Facts:
Related Experiences & Sasan Gir Stays
Frequently Asked Questions
Official Devalia Bus Safari ticket prices for Indian nationals: ₹150 per person on weekdays (Monday-Friday) and ₹190 per person on weekends (Saturday/Sunday) and National Festival Days. Foreign nationals are charged ₹3,800 (weekdays) and ₹4,750 (weekends). Children under 5 years are FREE; children 5-12 years get 50% discount. Verify current rates at girlion.gujarat.gov.in before booking.
YES — Devalia Bus Safari (and Devalia Gypsy Safari) remains OPEN during the monsoon season (June 16 to October 15) when the core Gir Jungle Trail is closed. Devalia is closed only on Wednesdays. This makes Devalia the ideal wildlife destination for visitors who come to Sasan Gir during the monsoon and rainy season.
Buses depart approximately every 30 minutes throughout the morning shift (7:30 AM – 11:00 AM in winter) and evening shift (3:00 PM – 5:00 PM in winter). Multiple departure slots are available to book on the official portal, allowing you to choose your preferred timing.
YES — Asiatic Lion sightings are frequently observed at Devalia regardless of whether you take the bus or the Gypsy, as Devalia is a fenced 412-hectare zone with a permanent resident lion population. The wildlife observation is curated through guided drives (95%+) on both bus and Gypsy safaris, with lions typically seen resting or moving in open clearings.
Both cover the same 412-hectare Devalia zone and offer similar wildlife sighting opportunities. The Bus Safari (₹150-₹190/person) is better for budget travelers, large groups, elderly visitors, and young children — it is air-conditioned (some buses), comfortable, and allows groups to share costs. The Gypsy Safari (₹1,600/vehicle) is better for photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, and those seeking a more intimate, open-air experience. Many visitors choose to try both on different days for a complete perspective.
Divya Makwana
Gujarat Tourism Wildlife Educator & Eco-Safari Specialist
Dedicated wildlife naturalist providing safari regulations, Asiatic lion tracking advice, and verified Gujarat travel coordination.