Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Sanjay Gandhi National Park
4
About
The park is also known as Borivali National Park since it is located in Borivali, a suburb of Mumbai. The famous Kanheri Caves are located within the park. A famous Jain Temple is also situated in the park.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.0
941 reviews
Excellent
317
Very good
380
Average
178
Poor
37
Terrible
29
Kirsty N
London16 contributions
Dec 2022
So.... as a foreign visitor, there seem to be two ways to visit the park, and they are completely different experiences and require different levels of organisation.
You can just turn up, in which case you can enjoy the large recreational area near the Borivali Gate, which has a pretty lake with boating, gardens, a Cat Orientation centre, an introductory Interpretation Centre, etc (quite good, especially for children). You can then get the local bus further into the park, for the 7km trip up to Kanheri caves, a complex of about 100 Buddhist caves in the hills. You don't need a private car to do this! At weekends however the bus queues are long, so go during the week.
Or, you can hire a guide for a half day or day, in which case you can actually walk one of the several trails through the park. We would highly recommend this. You shouldn't do this without a guide. The crucial thing to understand is that the great majority of the park is truly a reserve, and it's large: about 100 sq km. There are about 50 adult leopards in residence, plus all the other usual residents, snaky and otherwise. They need peace, and the public needs to be kept safe.
Hiring the guide was the real challenge, as the park's website was down, but we cracked it. You need to book through the NIC (Nature Information Centre): again the website didn't work (they make you work for this!) so we tracked them down on Facebook. We communicated with a gentleman called Samarth. who arranged our guide. For a full day, this cost 2,500 rupees per person, paid in cash on the day.
We would highly recommend the full day. We met our guide Naman at 8am and spent the morning walking the Kanheri Trail: 8am is a little late for birds though we did see some, but Naman's knowledge of trees, plants, forest ecology, geology, animal scat (poo to you and me) and calls, was excellent. We found ourselves following a line of leopard scrapes up through the woods, and finally came out across from the caves. Just below the caves are pretty gardens and a "canteen" where we ate early lunch. Basic Indian snack/breakfast food, but delicious.
In the afternoon, Naman turned from a nature guide to a cultural one, and did a fine job of guiding us around the cave complex. Well worth seeing, and go right to the top above the caves too, to get a view of the whole park. You will find yourself on the top of a huge lava dome, in the middle of the remains of a massive and ancient crater (approx 65 million years). Mumbai is on the edge of the Deccan Traps (look it up... remarkable)
After the caves, we visited the recreational area, and then our day was done, by about 4.30. It's a long day and you need a certain amount of energy, but we're in our 60's/70's and did fine. Naman was the perfect guide, adapting to our pace, checking that we were ok, and entertaining us with stories: lovely company.
SGNP is a remarkable phenomenon: a functioning very large wildlife reserve in the middle of a megacity: it's beautiful and needs funding, so go!
You can just turn up, in which case you can enjoy the large recreational area near the Borivali Gate, which has a pretty lake with boating, gardens, a Cat Orientation centre, an introductory Interpretation Centre, etc (quite good, especially for children). You can then get the local bus further into the park, for the 7km trip up to Kanheri caves, a complex of about 100 Buddhist caves in the hills. You don't need a private car to do this! At weekends however the bus queues are long, so go during the week.
Or, you can hire a guide for a half day or day, in which case you can actually walk one of the several trails through the park. We would highly recommend this. You shouldn't do this without a guide. The crucial thing to understand is that the great majority of the park is truly a reserve, and it's large: about 100 sq km. There are about 50 adult leopards in residence, plus all the other usual residents, snaky and otherwise. They need peace, and the public needs to be kept safe.
Hiring the guide was the real challenge, as the park's website was down, but we cracked it. You need to book through the NIC (Nature Information Centre): again the website didn't work (they make you work for this!) so we tracked them down on Facebook. We communicated with a gentleman called Samarth. who arranged our guide. For a full day, this cost 2,500 rupees per person, paid in cash on the day.
We would highly recommend the full day. We met our guide Naman at 8am and spent the morning walking the Kanheri Trail: 8am is a little late for birds though we did see some, but Naman's knowledge of trees, plants, forest ecology, geology, animal scat (poo to you and me) and calls, was excellent. We found ourselves following a line of leopard scrapes up through the woods, and finally came out across from the caves. Just below the caves are pretty gardens and a "canteen" where we ate early lunch. Basic Indian snack/breakfast food, but delicious.
In the afternoon, Naman turned from a nature guide to a cultural one, and did a fine job of guiding us around the cave complex. Well worth seeing, and go right to the top above the caves too, to get a view of the whole park. You will find yourself on the top of a huge lava dome, in the middle of the remains of a massive and ancient crater (approx 65 million years). Mumbai is on the edge of the Deccan Traps (look it up... remarkable)
After the caves, we visited the recreational area, and then our day was done, by about 4.30. It's a long day and you need a certain amount of energy, but we're in our 60's/70's and did fine. Naman was the perfect guide, adapting to our pace, checking that we were ok, and entertaining us with stories: lovely company.
SGNP is a remarkable phenomenon: a functioning very large wildlife reserve in the middle of a megacity: it's beautiful and needs funding, so go!
Written December 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Venky63
Mumbai, India0 contributions
Jan 2023
Today was my first visit to the Park, even though I have lived in Mumbai for many years. I planned to get Kanheri caves but overall it was a disappointing experience.
a)It is easy to get to the Park itself on the WE Highway.
b)But getting into the Park is another story! You have to park your car and either walk many kms inside or you have to take a BEST bus. Or you have to cycle your way. I couldn't do both with an injured foot.
c)There not enough buses as the queue is a long one at all times.
d)There is an alternative I found out later of taking some van taxis. Its not fair to allow them when passengers can't take their cars.
e)The entry fee of 85/- and parking charges of 242/- are not reasonable.
The park authorities must find another alternative of having multiple parking spaces at various points in the park. That way one can get to a point and then choose to walk around.
Overall, unless you want to walk 6+ kms or cycle on a hot day(which it will be on most days in Mumbai) there are no easy options.
a)It is easy to get to the Park itself on the WE Highway.
b)But getting into the Park is another story! You have to park your car and either walk many kms inside or you have to take a BEST bus. Or you have to cycle your way. I couldn't do both with an injured foot.
c)There not enough buses as the queue is a long one at all times.
d)There is an alternative I found out later of taking some van taxis. Its not fair to allow them when passengers can't take their cars.
e)The entry fee of 85/- and parking charges of 242/- are not reasonable.
The park authorities must find another alternative of having multiple parking spaces at various points in the park. That way one can get to a point and then choose to walk around.
Overall, unless you want to walk 6+ kms or cycle on a hot day(which it will be on most days in Mumbai) there are no easy options.
Written January 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BalkrishnaShroff
Mumbai, India19,449 contributions
Jan 2023
This beautiful national park spread over 103 square kilometers is the only one in the world located within a city. Geographically it is about 20% of entire Mumbai. It has got many recreational activities. One can go for jungle safari, trekking or see the historical Kanheri caves about 6 km from the main gate. It is advisable to take a guide which is provided by forest department who manages the national park. One has to park the cars outside and then can walk or take a bus or private taxi inside.
Don't miss it if you have not seen it...
Don't miss it if you have not seen it...
Written January 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Culture48759094232
0 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
To be honest..there isn't much to see and explore...
They don't allow personal cars inside ..and only best buses are there to take you to kanheri caves and that too is a struggle as too many PPL want to board the bus , else be prepared to walk for atleast a hour and half one way. So I skipped it .
I went for Lion and Tiger safari, they were charging 113 RS per person and it was for approx 15 mins....In the safari you have to sit in the bus and then the bus takes you near a cage where lion is, there was only one lion and 3 tigers. There is boating section and kids play area but are not maintained, so didn't go.
Even entry to park is little steep, it costs 85 RS per person to enter and also parking is 35 RS per hour.
They don't allow personal cars inside ..and only best buses are there to take you to kanheri caves and that too is a struggle as too many PPL want to board the bus , else be prepared to walk for atleast a hour and half one way. So I skipped it .
I went for Lion and Tiger safari, they were charging 113 RS per person and it was for approx 15 mins....In the safari you have to sit in the bus and then the bus takes you near a cage where lion is, there was only one lion and 3 tigers. There is boating section and kids play area but are not maintained, so didn't go.
Even entry to park is little steep, it costs 85 RS per person to enter and also parking is 35 RS per hour.
Written December 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Setting Sun
Bangkok, Thailand17 contributions
Dec 2019 • Solo
Visited here because I was really bored and was seeking amusement without spending much money. The entry fee for a solo person without a vehicle is about 50 rupees if I remember correctly. They have a map of the park inside. I walked towards the Kanheri/ Buddhist caves although returned by bus which takes 10 rupees till end. The walk is about 8km alongside a tarred road. On the way I witnessed deers going about their day, a snake and birds which could be easily heard but not seen. There's a river flowing on the way. Stray dogs can be a nuisance and could attack but locals help out. People sell lime juice on the way. At the end of the road near the caves there are stalls selling food, refreshments however monkeys are a nuisance here and can snatch away the food.
There is a main shallow cave which is majestic with carvings related to Buddha and stages of enlightenment with the mudras, etc from what I could figure out. Beyond this there are many other caves ahead and above where a settlement seems to have existed. Very very interesting. One can climb the rock that hosts all the caves without much difficulty. From the top of the rock buildings of Mumbai could be seen. I only realised I'm still in Mumbai after the climb to the top. Till then one is well hidden from the city. One can easily spend half a day in all this. There is occasional annoyance from 'untamed teenagers', other than that families, groups, solos and couples seem to visit here. Watchmen in and around the caves. A fruitful visit overall.
There is a main shallow cave which is majestic with carvings related to Buddha and stages of enlightenment with the mudras, etc from what I could figure out. Beyond this there are many other caves ahead and above where a settlement seems to have existed. Very very interesting. One can climb the rock that hosts all the caves without much difficulty. From the top of the rock buildings of Mumbai could be seen. I only realised I'm still in Mumbai after the climb to the top. Till then one is well hidden from the city. One can easily spend half a day in all this. There is occasional annoyance from 'untamed teenagers', other than that families, groups, solos and couples seem to visit here. Watchmen in and around the caves. A fruitful visit overall.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vratin Shah
Mumbai, India992 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
The National Park is accessible through Western Express Highway in Borivali, Mumbai. The entry ticket prices are minimal. Inside there are a lot of activities to do like a picnic spot, children's play area, boating, safari, Kanheri Caves, etc. most of which are either accessible free of cost or very reasonable cost. The park is not well maintained and hence, does not get much tourist attraction. Mostly the local public visits here for a picnic. It could have been much better if it was well maintained & converted into a proper tourist attraction.
Written November 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J36ZCjulier
0 contributions
Mar 2023
Yes, it is the only National Park in a city in the world but it actually doesnt really feel like a "National Park" . You can see and hear the city from the areas we explored. It was a very pleasant place to go for a walk and there are deer and 2 types of monkeys to see- the many monkeys are the highlight in my opinion - right along the walkways and basically ignore the people and go on with their day. There are native families that still live in the park and there was actually a wedding finishing up in the park when we visited. If you have time it is nice but with the city smog even the viewpoints were limited.
Written March 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yash Vasani
Mumbai, India406 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
Sanjay Gandhi National Park is a huge park where the Kanheri Caves are located. As I have to pay the entrance fee for the park to get to the caves anyway, I wandered around the park after visiting the caves. The parks is a surprisingly lovely area, clean and peaceful. Peaceful especially compared to the rest of the city. Lots of activities such as boating, safaris etc. There’s not much variety in terms of the trees and plants.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Namrata K
Mumbai, India20 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
If you want to be away from the crowd, noise & busy lifestyle of Mumbai but can't travel too far, this is the apt place!
We spent couple of hours in this National park early February. Route to Gandhi tekdi is around a kilometer long. It was peaceful & destination had a beautiful view point. Further, we went on exploring random routes & could spot deers walking nearby. Deers roam like dogs there! We enjoyed feeding cucumbers to them. Later, we wanted to walk the Ashok Van trail, however you need to prebook it with guide. On the way, there was a lake having beautiful site. We didn't have time to visit Kanheri caves so would like to go there next time.
We spent couple of hours in this National park early February. Route to Gandhi tekdi is around a kilometer long. It was peaceful & destination had a beautiful view point. Further, we went on exploring random routes & could spot deers walking nearby. Deers roam like dogs there! We enjoyed feeding cucumbers to them. Later, we wanted to walk the Ashok Van trail, however you need to prebook it with guide. On the way, there was a lake having beautiful site. We didn't have time to visit Kanheri caves so would like to go there next time.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MilestoneToMemory
Thane, India2 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
Good vast area. Roads are good. Can see ample number of spotted deers roaming within.
Lion safari with bus is good but can be bit longer as it end as soon as start....20 min.
Can Rani train journey through Jungle is awesome.
You can roam within and imbibe the natural beauty and fresh air.
Will give 3.5 star out of 5.
Thanks,
Milestonetomemory
Lion safari with bus is good but can be bit longer as it end as soon as start....20 min.
Can Rani train journey through Jungle is awesome.
You can roam within and imbibe the natural beauty and fresh air.
Will give 3.5 star out of 5.
Thanks,
Milestonetomemory
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We 3 adults + 6 year old child would like to tour SGNP Borivali In a private car, picking and returning us from Bandra west. Inside Tiger & Lion Safari, Mini Train, Bus and Boat riding are opted.
Written December 1, 2022
Is there any trail that i dont need a guide for?
We simply want to leave the main road and trek for a bit in a more quite space before returning.
Written May 24, 2022
Are private vehicles allowed inside the park now?
If yes, is there a time restriction to when you can bring your car inside?
Written May 24, 2022
Private vehicles not allowed inside the park
Written November 26, 2023
It's Kanheri Caves open.. and what's the ticket for foreign people
Written April 12, 2022
jay kay baghnya sarkhe ahe and kashi arrange karawi trip for family
Written November 9, 2021
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