Situated in Uttarakhand, Rajaji National Park is a biodiversity park that attracts both nature lovers and wanderers of wildlife. Rajaji National Park merged with Motichur, Chilla wildlife sanctuaries, and Rajaji National Park and was named as Rajaji National Park. It is named after a great freedom fighter, Late Shri C. Rajgopalachari Ji, also known as Rajaji. It is spread over an area of 820 sq km providing a large range of flora and fauna in its aura.
Rajaji National Park is open from Mid-November to Mid-June, allowing the visitors to explore its picturesque beauty and it offers a wide range of natural beauty to its visitors.
Rajaji National Park is situated on the foothills of the Himalayan range and is closely connected to Shiwalik ranges. It is spread over a large area of Pauri Garwal, Dehradun and Saharanpur districts in Uttarakhand. Chilla Sanctuary separates The Motichur and Rajaji sanctuaries.
The connecting streams for these two sanctuaries remain dry throughout the entire year but become heavy with water through Monsoon Season. These streams are covered with thick forests with a variety of trees ranging from broad-leaved to evergreen trees that gives a lush green view to the visitors. The dominance of flora and fauna in this area is known as the Monsoon Forest inviting tourists in its arms.
This park is enriched with a variety of wildlife such as elephants, tigers, leopards, deers, ghals and more. This park is known for 23 species of mammals and 315 species of birds, attracting a large number of wildlife enthusiasts in its eco-friendly wilderness area. Birds such as Greater Scaup, Great Hornbill. Northern Goshawk, White-naped Woodpecker, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Stork, and more are nestled in this park.
The trail through these forests goes through thick forests and offers a range of birds across the area of 40 km. People can choose to go for birding around many forest rest houses (FRH).
To reach Rajaji National Park, you can drive, take a flight, bus or rail via Delhi to Meerut, Khatauli, Muzaffar Nagar, Roorkee, Haridwar and Chilla.
Airways: To reach Rajaji National Park via a flight, you can choose a flight for Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun which is located at a distance of 35 km away from the boundary of the park. The flight will take only 55 minutes and you can land in the forest easily.
Road: Are you ready to take a drive? Rajaji National Park is only 220 km away from Delhi & 510 km from Lucknow. Chilla is only 8 km away from Haridwar Railway Station and 24 km from Rishikesh. So, if you are planning to visit Rishikesh, you can also check out Rajaji National Park and enjoy nature's beauty here.
Rail: If you are planning to travel via railway, the distance from Haridwar to Rajaji National Park is only 24km, from Dehradun it’s 56 km, and from Rishikesh, it’s 18 km.
Enriched with a wide range of flora and fauna, you can enjoy bird watching, river rafting, jungle safaris and canoeing in Rajaji National Park. Let’s explore the lands of this park here:
Rajaji National Park Safari: If you want to experience the jungle with your naked eyes, both jeep safari and elephant safari are available for you. There are two times for jeep safaris every day starting from 6 AM to 9 AM in the morning and 3 PM to 6 PM.
After the death of the elephant ‘Arundhati’, the elephant safaris were discontinued for some time in 2007. It has been resumed back in November 2016 with the three famous tuskers known as Raja, Rangeeli, and Radha. Elephant safaris usually last for 45 to 60 minutes.
Rajaji Tiger Park: The tiger reserve is home to more than 50 species of mammals which is inclusive of Asian Elephant, Tiger, Sloth Bear, Jackal, Hyena, Black Bear.
Rafting in Rajaji National Park: Have you enjoyed water rides when you were a kid? Now is the time for you to enjoy the rafting and canoeing in Rajaji National Park. You can go for a 3-hour long rafting on a 12 km long stream of River Ganges.
Bird-Watching at Rajaji National Park: You cannot miss the bird watching if you have been thinking of spotting a White-naped Woodpecker or a Hornbill to capture in your camera. To spot a wide range of birds you can:
There are 4 tourism safari zones in Rajaji National Park that offers a visit into the thick forests and gives an opportunity of exploring nature to its visitors.
Chilla Tourism Zone: This zone attracts maximum number of tourists round the year and provides a 2 and a half hours safari through a unique landscape that passes through Mandal, Mithawali, and Khara.
In this safari you can look around and find elephants roaming around and other wild animals in and out of this zone. Elephant rides in this zone are conducted in the morning and evening and it requires pre-booking to avoid the last-minute rush into it.
Forest Rest House (FRH) at Chilla: Situated in the main tourism zone, Chilla FRH a double story rest house consisting of 2 suites, a drawing and dining room on the ground floor and one suite on the top floor.
Fact: Arundhati Tree is named after the elephant Arundhati that served Rajaji National Park and the Forest Department for around 27 years. This tree is planted near the FRH as a tribute to Arundhati, the favorite of all its visitors.
Motichur Tourism Zone: This zone is dominated by Sal forests through a drive of 24 km from the Asarori gate through Charring Cross. The drive through this zone offers an opportunity to explore the wilderness leading to the Motichur FRH.
Forest rest House (FRH) at Motichur: Built on the Haridwar-Dehradun Highway, it is FRH that is an amalgamation of luxury merged into wildlife. It has two suites, a big drawing-room, and lawns. This FRH is also home to Sambhar and Spotted Deer.
Ranipur Tourism Zone: This zone is not as popular as other zones but this zone offers a jungle culture that you cannot miss to visit. This zone provides a visit in the thick jungle that has different variety of wildlife.
Jhilmil Tourism Zone: This zone is located near Haridwar that comprises of an area of around 383 acres. It has become a home to many animals that migrate from other places to the National Park. This zone will take you to the glory of past that has to offer the only surviving herd of Swamp Deer and Barasingha.
Rajaji National Park is home to many species like Cheetal, Sambar Deer, Wild Boar, Nilgai, Goral, Barking Deer, and Asian Elephant.
If you are trying to spot a family of reptiles, then get ready to meet Python, King Cobra, Indian Cobra, Monitor Lizard, and Common Krait.
A Fun Fact: Asian Elephants and the family uses water from shrinking water holes to keep the bodies cool
The park has also become a shelter to The Royal Bengal Tigers, Leopards, Jackal, Hyena, The Big Cat, Sloth Bears, Civets, and Jungle Cat.
And you cannot miss seeing the National bird of India dancing in these forests because Peacocks are found in abundance along with innumerable variety of butterflies and other birds adding to the beauty of the Rajaji National Park Reserve.
Fun Fact: Winter season sees a lot of migratory birds coming from different places to visit Rajaji National Park.
Are you a fan of water bodies?
Here’s a surprise for you in Rajaji National Park because the Ganga river is home to fishes like Goonch, Trout, Kalabasu, Chilwa and more.
Does a variety of fauna take your heart away? At Rajaji National Park of India, you will find a varied topography that also provides habitation to vivid animal life. Starting from Sal, Palash, Arjun, Khair, Baans, Chamaror, Kachnar, Chilla, Bel, to Shisham, Sandan, you will be awed by the beauty of this park.
Rajaji National Park is open from 15th November to 15th June and it remains closed during the rainy season. During monsoon season it remains closed because the wildlife often migrates to other places or hide in the cocoon of nature.
To visit Rajaji National Park, all the visitors need the entry passes and it is advised to make bookings in advance because the availability of accommodation and jeep safaris are subject to availability.
There are 2 types of accommodation facility in Rajaji National Park. You can compare luxury resorts and hotels here or if you want to ditch the luxury to spend in lap of the nature then send a request to book your stay in forest rest houses located inside the forest.
Rajaji National Park is situated in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand. it is located 23kms away from the main town of Haridwar. It is around 240 kms from New Delhi & 60 kms from Dehradun which is the nearest airport.
Rajaji National Park is situated right in between the towns of Haridwar & Rishikesh. It is around 240 kms from New Delhi & 60 kms from Dehradun which is the nearest airport.
Rajaji National Park lies in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand in northern India. Nearest airport from Raja ji National Park is Dehradun which is only 60 kms.
Rajaji National Park is well connected by road, rail & air. It takes hardly 5 hours from Delhi to reach via road. The nearest railway station lies in Haridwar whereas the nearest airport is at Dehradun known as Jolly Grant airport.
No, the Safari gates for Rajaji reopen on 15th of November after the monsoon break for 7 months.
Rajaji National Park is well connected by road via Rishikesh. It is just 17 kms away & hardly takes 25 min to commute. You can hire a taxi or an auto to reach Rajaji National Park from Rishikesh.
Entry permits to Rajaji National Park has to be obtained from the forest department well in advance but getting a vehcles could be tricky. It is advised to log on to www.rajajinationalpark.in for one stop solution.
Rajaji National Park remains open from 15th Nov to 15th June. Gates for tourism are closed during the monsoon season which is from June to October.
Rajaji National Park is well connected from Haridwar via road. It is hardly 23kms away & will approximately take half an hour to commute.
Rajaji National Park is well connected from Dehradun via road. It is hardly 65kms away & will approximately take 2hours to commute. One can hire a taxi or travel by public transport.
According to the last tiger census, these are estimated 34 tigers in Rajaji National Park.
Rajaji National Park is well connected to Delhi via road & in just 240kms. It takes up to 5 hours to reach. One can travel via regular buses or train to Haridwar & hire a taxi from Haridwar to reach Raja ji National Park.
Rajaji National Park is known for its Elephants. These are more than 500 Elephants roaming the wilderness of Rajaji.
Looking to spend a night or 2 in midst of the forest? We help you in booking your stay in the forest rest houses in Rajaji National Park.
Safari Booking could be tricky. Reach out to us so we can assign you a professional &govt accredited driver for a professional experience.
Let us suggest & help you in booking your stay in Rajaji National Park as per your budget & taste.
With our expert & experienced guides, we organise custom bird watching tours as Rajaji National Park is home to many Indian & migratory birds as well.
Do you want a local expert to guide you through & explore new experiences? Reach out to us & your private itinerary will be managed by us.
Not a fan of living in typical luxury hotels or want to experience the jungle at night? Check our luxury camps where you wake up by the chirpings of birds in the mid of the bewitching forest.
