Pool Days
Sasan Gir Resorts With Swimming Pools: Where to Unwind Between Safaris
By Bookaday Editorial Team · Published · Updated · 10 min read
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Quick summary
- As of October 2026, Bookaday lists seven Sasan Gir resorts with swimming pools, in Gir Somnath district, Gujarat.
- Two sell day picnic packages with pool access from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM: Daksh Resort & Amusement Park and Gir Vanraj Farm & Resort. These suit travellers passing through on the Somnath route.
- At Gir Serai – IHCL SeleQtions, Lion Signature Resort and Gir Birding Lodge, pool access comes with room or stay packages, so it is meant for staying guests.
- Gir Jungle Safari runs from 16 October to 15 June and is closed from 16 June to 15 October. Permits are booked only on the Forest Department's official site, girlion.gujarat.gov.in.
- The pool fits best in the midday gap between the morning and evening safari slots.
A Sasan Gir resort with a pool turns the long, hot gap between safaris into proper rest. If you are staying over, pick a lodge whose stay package includes the pool; if you are only passing through on the Somnath route, pick a resort that sells a day package. This guide lists the Gir resorts with pools, shows how pool time fits a safari day, and explains what to confirm. Browse them on the Gir swimming pool listings.
Which Sasan Gir resorts have swimming pools?
Bookaday lists seven resorts with swimming pools around Sasan Gir. Two include the pool in day packages for non-staying visitors; three include it in room or stay packages; two list a pool without documented package details. None publishes pool hours, so ask each resort.
| Resort | Location (as listed) | Pool access through | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daksh Resort & Amusement Park | Hiranvel, near Club Mahindra Gir | Day Picnic Package (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM) | 4.0/5 |
| Gir Vanraj Farm & Resort | Talala Road, near Sasan Gir | Day Picnic Farmhouse package (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM) | 4.5/5 |
| Gir Serai – IHCL SeleQtions | Near Sinh Sadan, Sasan Gir, Talala | Room and stay packages | 4.5/5 |
| Lion Signature Resort | Chitrod–Sasan Road, Talala | Room packages | 4.5/5 |
| Gir Birding Lodge | Haripur village, Talala taluka | Cottage and stay packages | 4.5/5 |
| Anantam Resort, Sasan Gir | Sasan Gir | Ask the resort | 4.5/5 |
| Gir Lion Safari Camp | Sasan Gir | Ask the resort | 4.5/5 |
Source: Bookaday listings, checked 14 October 2026.
Daksh Resort & Amusement Park: best for families and day visitors
Daksh, at Hiranvel near Sasan Gir, positions itself for families, school groups and picnickers rather than only wildlife visitors. Its Day Picnic Package (9:00 AM to 6:00 PM) lists lunch, hi-tea, water activities, indoor and outdoor games, a children's play area, the swimming pool, an amusement park and garden access. Changing rooms are listed, and the menu includes Gujarati and Kathiyawadi vegetarian food. See the Daksh Resort pool listing.
Best for: families with children and anyone wanting adventure activities. Ask about: which rides are included and which are charged separately.
Gir Vanraj Farm & Resort: best for a quiet farm day
Gir Vanraj is a farmhouse-style resort on Talala Road, among mango orchards and farmland. Its Day Picnic Farmhouse package (9:00 AM to 6:00 PM) lists a welcome drink, breakfast, lunch, hi-tea, outdoor games, children's activities, a farm visit, garden access and pool access.
Best for: families and small groups who want a slower, village-style day. Ask about: shade near the pool and the lunch menu.
Gir Serai – IHCL SeleQtions: best for staying guests near the safari gate
Gir Serai is near Sinh Sadan, close to the Gir National Park safari gate. Its four packages (Superior Room, Deluxe Cottage, Wildlife Experience and Family Vacation) are all overnight or two-day stays, each with breakfast and pool access. The listing mentions safari assistance in its Wildlife Experience package and a children's activity area. Check the Gir Serai pool listing.
Best for: couples and families staying one or two nights. Note: safari permits are still booked separately through the official portal.
Lion Signature Resort and Gir Birding Lodge: stay-guest pools
Lion Signature Resort on the Chitrod–Sasan Road lists Deluxe, Super Deluxe and Suite room packages, each with pool access. Gir Birding Lodge at Haripur village lists Deluxe Cottage, Wildlife Stay and Family Vacation packages with pool access. Neither documents day-visitor entry, so ask before planning a pool stop without a room.
How does pool time fit into a safari day?
The pool fits neatly into the midday gap. In winter, the official Gir Jungle Safari slots run 6:30 to 9:30 AM and 3:00 to 6:00 PM, leaving the hottest hours free. Spend them at the pool, have lunch, rest, and head back to Sinh Sadan for the evening drive.
| Season (official dates) | Morning safari | Evening safari | Best pool window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (16 Oct – end Feb) | 6:30 – 9:30 AM | 3:00 – 6:00 PM | 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM |
| Summer (1 Mar – 15 Jun) | 6:00 – 9:00 AM | 4:00 – 7:00 PM | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Monsoon (16 Jun – 15 Oct) | Closed | Closed | Resort day only |
Source: Gir Jungle Trail booking page, girlion.gujarat.gov.in. The portal also lists a late-morning slot; confirm current slot times when you book.
A sample safari-and-pool day
- 6:30 AM: morning safari from Sinh Sadan.
- 10:00 AM: breakfast and a short rest at your resort.
- 11:30 AM: pool time before the sun is at its harshest.
- 1:00 PM: lunch, then a nap or indoor games.
- 3:00 PM: evening safari.
- 7:00 PM: dinner at the resort.
How do you book a Gir safari permit?
Book Gir safari permits only on the Forest Department's official website, girlion.gujarat.gov.in. Each e-permit covers up to six people plus one child aged 3 to 12. There are no tatkal bookings, and the portal warns about fraudulent sites charging premium rates.
- Resorts do not issue permits. Even when a stay package mentions "safari assistance", the permit itself comes from the official portal.
- Vehicle and guide charges are separate from the permit and are paid locally at Sinh Sadan.
- Missed a permit? Gujarat Tourism suggests Devalia, the Gir Interpretation Zone about 12 km west of Sasan Gir village, as an alternative for lion sightings in a fenced area.
- Book early for Diwali and winter holidays. The park reopens on 16 October each year and demand peaks soon after.
Can you visit a Gir resort pool on the Somnath route?
Yes, through day packages. Daksh Resort and Gir Vanraj Farm & Resort both list 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM day packages with pool access, which suit families driving between Somnath and Junagadh. Gujarat Tourism puts Sasan Gir 42 km from Veraval, the town next to Somnath, and 71 km from Junagadh.
| Coming from | Distance to Sasan Gir | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Veraval / Somnath | 42 km from Veraval | Morning darshan at Somnath, afternoon resort pool |
| Junagadh | 71 km | Girnar or city sights in the morning, resort in the afternoon |
| Keshod airport | About 54 km | Reach for lunch, pool, evening safari next day |
Source: Gujarat Tourism, Gir National Park page.
What should you compare between Gir resorts?
Compare how you get pool access (day package or room), children's facilities, food and distance to Sinh Sadan. Families with children get more from Daksh's amusement park and games; couples and wildlife photographers lean towards lodges near the safari gate.
| Need | Resort to ask first |
|---|---|
| Day visit with pool, kids' fun | Daksh Resort & Amusement Park |
| Day visit, quiet farm setting | Gir Vanraj Farm & Resort |
| Stay near the safari gate | Gir Serai – IHCL SeleQtions |
| Birdwatching stay | Gir Birding Lodge |
| Room-package stay on the Chitrod–Sasan Road | Lion Signature Resort |
What to ask on WhatsApp
Hello, we are [X] adults and [Y] children (ages [ ]) visiting Sasan Gir on [date]. 1. Can we use the pool as day visitors, or only with a stay? 2. What are the pool hours? We have a [morning/evening] safari. 3. Is there a shallow area for children, and are changing rooms available? 4. Which meals are included? Do you serve Kathiyawadi or Jain food? 5. What is the rate per adult and per child for our date? Thank you.
Carry nylon or lycra swimwear, sunscreen, a cap and earth-toned clothes for the safari. Keep noise low near forest areas.
Plan your Gir pool break
Shortlist two resorts, confirm pool hours against your safari slots, and message them directly. Browse every Sasan Gir resort with a swimming pool on Bookaday and tap Ask on WhatsApp or Request a call. Bookaday helps you find and contact resorts; safari permits are booked only through the official Forest Department portal.
FAQs
It depends on your trip. For a day visit with children, Daksh Resort & Amusement Park lists a 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM package with pool, amusement park and games. For a stay near the safari gate, Gir Serai – IHCL SeleQtions includes pool access in its room packages. Gir Vanraj Farm & Resort suits a quiet farm day. Confirm pool hours with each resort.
Daksh Resort & Amusement Park lists an amusement park, water activities, games and a children's play area, plus a swimming pool. Gir Lion Safari Camp and Gir Birding Lodge also list adventure activities on Bookaday. Ask each resort which activities are included in your package and which cost extra.
No. According to the Forest Department's official booking portal, Gir Jungle Safari is closed from 16 June to 15 October every year. It reopens on 16 October. Gujarat Tourism suggests November to March as the best time to visit. Resorts may stay open in the monsoon, so ask them about pool use in rain.
Book only on the official Forest Department website, girlion.gujarat.gov.in. Each e-permit allows up to six people plus one child aged 3 to 12, and there are no tatkal bookings. Vehicle and guide charges are paid separately at Sinh Sadan. The portal warns about fake sites, so avoid third-party permit sellers.
Late morning to early afternoon. In winter, the morning safari ends around 9:30 AM and the evening slot starts at 3:00 PM, so 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM works well. In summer, the evening slot starts at 4:00 PM, giving you a longer midday window. Confirm pool hours with your resort.
Gujarat Tourism lists Sasan Gir as 42 km from Veraval, the town next to Somnath, and 71 km from Junagadh. Allow about an hour from Somnath by road. Many families combine a morning darshan at Somnath with an afternoon at a Gir resort and a safari the next day.
Sources
- Gujarat Tourism: Gir National Park (opens in a new tab)
- Gujarat Forest Department: Gir Jungle Trail booking (official permits) (opens in a new tab)
- Resort facilities and packages: Bookaday listings for Daksh Resort & Amusement Park, Gir Vanraj Farm & Resort, Gir Serai – IHCL SeleQtions, Lion Signature Resort, Gir Birding Lodge, Anantam Resort and Gir Lion Safari Camp, checked 14 October 2026.