Rajaji National Park sits in Uttarakhand along the Shivalik foothills, wrapped around the holy Ganga between Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Dehradun. It’s known for Asian elephants, tigers, and excellent birding with 300+ species, including the Great Hornbill. The park became a Tiger Reserve in 2015 and spans ~820 km² of sal forests, rivers, and grasslands. Peak wildlife season runs from November to June. Popular safari zones include Chilla (Haridwar), Motichur (Rishikesh side), and Mohand (Dehradun). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajaji_National_Park
Where is Rajaji National Park Located?
Rajaji lies in Uttarakhand across three districts: Dehradun, Haridwar, and Pauri Garhwal, hugging the Shivalik hills and the Ganga riverscape. Add a Google Map embed centered near Chilla Gate for user context.
Distance chart
| City | Distance |
| Haridwar | ~10 km |
| Rishikesh | ~19 km |
| Dehradun | ~56 km |
| Delhi | ~220 km |
(Representative approach distances; typical listings show ~8–10 km from Haridwar, ~21 km from Rishikesh, ~55 km from Dehradun.)
History & Establishment of Rajaji National Park
- Established as a national park in 1983 by merging Chilla, Motichur, and Rajaji sanctuaries, named after C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji), India’s last Governor-General.
- Notified as the Rajaji Tiger Reserve in April 2015.
- Part of the wider Shivalik/Siwalik ecosystem at the Himalayan foothills.
Why Rajaji National Park is Famous
- Flagship mammals: Asian elephants, tigers, and leopards.
- Great Indian (Great Pied) Hornbill sightings on the park’s western range edge.
- 300+ recorded bird species.
- Scenic mix of Ganga riverscapes and Shivalik hills.
Safari Zones in Rajaji National Park
Haridwar Zone – Chilla Safari (most popular): Classic riverine landscapes with high elephant activity; good chance of ungulates and birdlife.
Dehradun Zone – Mohand Safari: Long forest drives through sal and mixed woodland; quieter, good for elephants and birds.
Rishikesh Side – Motichur Safari: Dense sal, elephant movement corridors; birding along edges.
Suggested duration: 2.5–3 hours per ride.
Safari timings (typical):
| Season | Morning Safari | Evening Safari |
| Winter | 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM | 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM |
| Summer | 6:00 AM – 9:30 AM | 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM |
Exact slots vary by gate and month; the forest department publishes seasonal windows (e.g., 6:00–9:00/3:00–5:00 in peak summer, and the park is closed in monsoon windows).
Note: For 2025 reopening (mid-November), Chilla’s route may be partially restricted due to monsoon damage; authorities are working on alternates.
Rajaji National Park Safari Price 2025
| Type | Indian Prices (Approx) | Foreigner Prices (Approx) |
| Jeep Safari | ₹2,500 – ₹5,000 per jeep | ₹4,500 – ₹8,000 per jeep |
| Elephant Safari (seasonal) | ₹1,000 – ₹3,000 | NA |
Prices vary by zone/operator, government fees, and season. Recent listings show total jeep packages commonly in the ₹3,200–₹4,800 range for Indians and ₹7,000–₹8,600 for foreigners, excluding add-ons. Check the latest before booking.
Major Attractions Inside Rajaji National Park
- Ganga Bhogpur and riverside drives (Chilla range)
- Neel Dhara birding stretch near Haridwar
- White-water rafting options along the wider Ganga belt (outside core)
- Bird watching across wetland and the salt habitats
- Notified elephant movement corridors across the Shivalik foothills
Wildlife in Rajaji National Park
Mammals: Asian elephant, Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, sloth bear, sambar, chital, goral, wild boar, langurs, and macaques.
Birds: 300+ species; look for Great Hornbill, kingfishers, woodpeckers, raptors, peafowl.
Reptiles & others: Monitor lizards, pythons and other snakes; rich insect life near river stretches.
Best Time to Visit Rajaji National Park
- Overall: November to June.
- Closed: Monsoon period roughly mid-June to mid-November.
- Wildlife lovers: December–March for pleasant weather and trackable movement.
- Bird watchers: November–February; peak winter migrants and riverine birding.
- Families: February–April for mild mornings and better visibility.
How to Reach Rajaji National Park
- By Air: Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) ~35 km from the Chilla/Haridwar side.
- By Rail: Haridwar and Rishikesh are the main gateways; Dehradun also works for Mohand/Gohri.
- By Road: Good connectivity from Delhi, Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh; new expressway sections shorten the Delhi–Dehradun drive time.
Hotels & Resorts Near Rajaji National Park
- Forest Rest Houses (FRHs) at select ranges (limited, basic, need advance permits)
- Jungle lodges and eco-stays around Chilla/Motichur/Mohand
- Mid-range and resort options near Haridwar, Rishikesh, and on the Chilla Gate approach.
Rules & Guidelines
- Keep voices low; don’t play music.
- No smoking or littering; carry back all waste.
- Follow the guide and driver instructions at all times.
- Avoid camera flash around wildlife; respect distance and speed limits.
- Private vehicles are not allowed inside core safari routes.
FAQs
For Asian elephants, tiger habitat, and superb birding—over 300 species including the Great Hornbill—set across sal forests, grasslands, and the Ganga’s riverine landscape in the Shivalik foothills. It became a Tiger Reserve in 2015.
Common sightings include elephants, leopards, deer (sambar, chital), goral, wild boar, langurs, and rich birdlife. Tigers occur but are elusive; sloth bears also inhabit the park. Reptiles like monitor lizards and pythons occur near river stretches.
Tourism typically runs mid-November to mid-June with seasonal time slots morning and evening. The park closes during the monsoon window (roughly mid-June to mid-November). Always confirm zone-wise dates each year.
Core visitor circuits commonly operate in Chilla (Haridwar), Motichur (Rishikesh side), and Mohand/Gohri (Dehradun). Additional buffers like Jhilmil Jheel open seasonally. Availability varies with the forest department.
Reserve through authorized operators or booking portals for your chosen gate (Chilla/Motichur/Mohand/Jhilmil). Pick a slot, share ID details, and pay permit + vehicle + guide charges. Book early for weekends and holidays.
