Sanjay Gandhi National Park: The Perfect Guide for Travelers
Sanjay Gandhi National Park is a hidden sanctuary amid the chaos of Mumbai city! Explore ancient caves, enjoy stunning views of the preserved natural land and look out for wild animals.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park is one of the best places to visit in Mumbai! Traveling to the city can be overwhelming because it’s a constant rush of traffic and people everywhere. This park is honestly like escaping Mumbai and discovering a new world.
The park is huge with many things to do and see. There’s ancient caves from Buddhists who lived in the area over 2000 years ago, a lion and tiger safari, stunning treks, paddle boating and more! It’s the perfect insight into what life was like before Mumbai grew into the major city it is today.
I lived in Mumbai for over 6 years and Sanjay Gandhi National Park is one of my favorite places for a getaway! I have also brought my family and friends to the park when they’ve come to visit because it’s unlike any other place in the city. Aside from giving a sense of relaxation and enjoying time in nature, the Kanheri caves are really stunning and I think all travelers should have the opportunity to check it out!
If you are planning to travel to India and looking for things to do in Mumbai, be sure to add Sanjay Gandhi National Park to your list! You can also enjoy these 15 Unique Things to Do in Mumbai and be sure to taste these 9 Famous Mumbai Foods!
This post is all about Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park Information
Sanjay Gandhi National Park Timings & Tickets
The park is open from 7am – 6pm. It closes by dusk for the safety of visitors since animals such as leopards start coming out. Most places to visit inside the park, such as Kanheri Caves and the Safari open from 9/9:30-5:30.
Tickets to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park entrance are 85 INR for adults and 45 INR for children. You will need to purchase extra tickets to visit the attractions such as Kanheri Caves or the Safari once you enter the park. Otherwise, to just go in the park for walking around you only need the entrance ticket.
Park History
Sanjay Gandhi National Park is literally a GEM surrounded by the city. When you’re inside the park, you feel as if you’re in another world. It’s about 104 square kilometers of protected land full of greenery.
The Park was opened in 1939 and has since grown. It’s a huge refuge for diverse biolife and animals. Given how bustling Mumbai is, the park is a remarkable preservation of natural land.
One of the major highlights of the park are the Kanheri Caves. These were prominent Buddhist centers dating back to around 1st century BC to 10th century AD. The caves were a place for monks to live, meditate and learn.
There are also various indigenous communities residing in the park. Famously, Worli people have ties to the area and their style of art is well-known across the country. Keep your eye out for Worli artwork on buildings while exploring the park!
How to Get Around the Park
The park is quite a distance from the typical tourist attractions in Mumbai. You can reach the park by train, rickshaw, or cab. Since covid, outside vehicles are not allowed inside the park. If you drive yourself or you take a cab, you will have to leave them at the entrance.
The main options when you get into the park include walking, hiring a driver or cycling.
If you are a visitor hoping to see the Kanheri caves and tour the park, I highly recommend paying for a driver! Once you have your ticket and walk a little ways into the park, you will find large vans and drivers waiting. This is super convenient because you can easily go to all places of the park you are interested in, without getting tired along the way. Kanheri caves are 7km from the entrance and involve a lot of walking once you are there, so I highly recommend getting a driver if you want to see the caves.
My husband and I paid 1500 to go to Kanheri caves, a temple, and some Worli artwork. The driver was from the Worli community and lived at the park. He was great at stopping to show us different animals and explain some history.
You can also walk around the park. If you are planning to do any treks this is the best option. There are several routes that are well-marked for visitors. The safari area is about 1 km from the entrance, so you can easily walk there.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park Cycling
One of the most fun ways to enjoy the park is by renting a cycle. Once you enter the park, there is a desk to pay and rent a cycle. This is a nice way to experience the park if you are interested in spending time in nature and exploring while on a bicycle.
Packing for Sanjay Gandhi National Park & What to Wear
Dress for comfort and for the weather! It’s a park, so expect a lot of walking or cycling if you plan to rent one. Between June-October it will be monsoon season, so you will need to pack accordingly or be prepared for rain. March-May is summer so it will feel extremely hot! The other months are relatively milder, but still warm.
I recommend carrying refillable water bottles! You can also bring snacks in case you might want a bite along the way.
Highlights of Things to Do
For tourists traveling to Sanjay Gandhi Park, I highly recommend Kanheri Caves as the top thing to see and explore! If you have children, the caves will also be fun, but it could be better to go to the lion safari (which is more like a zoo) to see different animals and learn about the plants there.
Here is a list of key interest points and I’ll share more details on each!
- Kanheri Caves
- Lion & Tiger Safari
- Gandhi Tekdi
- Trekking
- Cycling
- Mini Train
- Boating
- Animal Sightings
There is also a small gift shop near the entrance and free washrooms throughout the park.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park Places to Visit
Kanheri Caves
The Kanheri Caves are absolutely stunning and you MUST see them if you’re going to the park. The area is made up of 109 caves that date back 2000 years. The caves were used as living quarters, prayer halls, and monasteries for Buddhists.
You hike around the area and go into the different caves. The architecture is stunning and there are many intricate sculptures and inscriptions. It’s a very beautiful insight into the ancient heritage of the people who lived there long ago.
The Kanheri Caves are open from 9am – 5pm. It’s 15 INR for locals and 200 INR for foreigners.
The caves are 7km from the entrance and I highly recommend getting a driver to get there. There is a lot of walking and steps to explore the caves entirely, if you cycle there you will probably feel exhausted by the time you reach. We debated about cycling but in the end got a driver and it was totally worth it!
Sanjay Gandhi National Park Treks
There are many beautiful treks throughout the park which are perfect for nature lovers. Throughout the whole park, there is a main road which is well-paved and easy to follow while exploring the area. If you are interested in going deeper in nature, there are several popular trails and guided treks.
The main treks which are easy for tourists to do alone include Malad Trail (1.5km), Shilonda Trail (1.5 km) and Bamboo Hut Trail (5.5km). If you are visiting Kanheri caves, there are also three different routes you can explore to see the caves which are also a trek in itself. The park also hosts many different events and treks which are worth checking out! Two of my favorites include a heritage trek and a trek to Mumbai’s highest peak, Jambulmal. I usually see different treks popping up on Insider.in which is easy to register and learn more about.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park Safari & Animals
There is a “Lion and Tiger Safari” offered at the park. This is a fun experience for children, but otherwise can be skipped. Less than a safari, it’s more like a zoo as the animals have enclosures. There is protected land for them as well.
The Safari is open from 9am-5pm. There is a nature information center near the entrance where you can purchase tickets from the safari. You can also learn a bit about the wildlife and animals at the park. You’ll be driven in a covered van for the safari.
Along with lions and tigers, it’s likely you’ll get to see other animals that live in the park (even away from the safari area)! We spotted many deer and monkeys along the way. There are also a lot of leopards that live at the park, although they don’t come out until it gets darker which is why the park closes for visitors.
Gandhi Tekdi
Gandhi Tekdi, or Gandhi Hill, is a prominent landmark within Sanjay Gandhi National Park. It’s a serene structure and outlook that holds historical significance as it was a favored spot for Mahatma Gandhi during his visits to Mumbai.
It’s a nice place to sit and enjoy the surrounding landscape. Gandhi Tekdi is free to visit and you can get there by riding with a driver or walking. It’s about 1.5 km from the entrance.
Mini Train
Enjoy riding on the mini train to see beautiful views of the park! It’s a short train ride and is less than 1km from the entrance. It’s a fun and different way to see the surrounding nature while relaxing. Tickets are 45 INR for adults and 17 INR for children.
Paddle Boating
There is a man-made lake at the park which offers paddle boating. If you’re interested in enjoying the views from the lake and wanting to explore the park in a unique way, then renting a paddle boat is perfect! It’s 53 INR for a 2-seater and 107 INR for a 4-seater. I never personally did this, but it was highlighted as one of the top attractions at the park!
This post was all about Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
