Discover India's Wild Heritage
Explore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksExplore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksWilderness in the Megacity
Maharashtra
Image: Patrice78500 / CC BY-SA 3.0Welcome to Sanjay Gandhi National Park! Use the resources below to plan your adventure in one of India's most treasured wild spaces.
Safaris, bird watching, nature walks, and more
Safari timings, open seasons, and park schedules
Entry fees, safari charges, and camera fees
How to reach by air, rail, and road
Official booking links, permits, and offline reservation guidance
Nearby stays, forest rest houses, and booking resources
Use the official park channel for current entry tickets, safari availability, and Kanheri Cave visitor information.
One of India's most accessible national parks. Reached by Mumbai's local train network. Paved roads inside for vehicles and cycling. Kanheri Caves require uphill walking. The mini train and safari areas are accessible. An excellent urban nature experience suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) is a natural wonder — 104 sq km of dense tropical forest right in the heart of Mumbai, surrounded on all sides by one of the world's largest and most densely populated cities. The park is home to approximately 40-50 leopards that have remarkably adapted to the urban-forest interface, coexisting with the city's 20 million residents. Over 2 million people visit the park annually, making it the most visited national park in Asia. Within its boundaries lie the 2,400-year-old Kanheri Buddhist Caves — 109 rock-cut caves from the 1st century BCE to the 10th century CE. The park is a vital green lung for Mumbai, providing clean air and water to the metropolis.
| Season | Morning Safari | Evening Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Year-round | 7:30 AM - 6:30 PM | Last entry by 5:00 PM |
Open daily except Mondays. The Kanheri Caves have separate timings (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, closed Monday). Mini train, lion and tiger safari (enclosures), and boating at Tulsi Lake are popular family activities. The forest trails are open for walking and cycling.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | INR 53 per person |
| Vehicle Entry | INR 175 per car |
| Kanheri Caves | INR 15 (Indian), INR 200 (Foreigner) |
| Mini Train | INR 64 per person |
| Lion/Tiger Safari (enclosure) | INR 72 per person |
Very affordable. The lion and tiger safari is a caged enclosure ride (not wild animals in their habitat). For actual wildlife, walk the forest trails. Early morning walks offer the best chance of wildlife sightings.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400066
19.2147° N, 72.9106° E
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai (25 km). Taxis and metro available from the airport.
Borivali Station (Western Line) is right at the park entrance — one of Mumbai's most convenient parks to reach. Local trains from Churchgate/Andheri/Bandra to Borivali take 45-60 minutes.
On the Western Express Highway in north Mumbai. 35 km from South Mumbai. Auto-rickshaws and taxis available. The park has two main entrances — the Borivali gate is most popular.
Auto-rickshaws from Borivali station to the park gate (2 km). Cycling allowed inside on designated routes. Park buses to Kanheri Caves. Walking trails throughout.
Tropical moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forest. Teak, Ain, Shisham, and various fruit trees. Dense bamboo groves. The monsoon transforms the forest floor with mushrooms, ferns, and wildflowers.
Approximately 40-50 leopards — one of the world's most remarkable urban wildlife populations. Also hosts spotted deer, sambar, wild boar, porcupines, bonnet macaques, Russell's vipers, Indian cobras, and the rare rusty-spotted cat. Over 270 bird species and 1,300+ plant species.
The park was originally the Krishnagiri National Park, established in 1969. It was renamed after Sanjay Gandhi in 1981. The park's greatest conservation challenge has been encroachment — hundreds of thousands of slum dwellers settled on its periphery, creating one of the world's most complex human-wildlife interfaces. The leopards of SGNP have gained global attention for their remarkable adaptation to urban life, with ongoing research studying how large predators coexist with dense human populations.
