Sanjay Gandhi National Park — Attraction in Salsette Island

A Good Part: You can come to the National Park for a morning walk (at a very nominal yearly pass amount of Rs. 300+) which is the main facility offered for Borivalikars. Timings for the morning walk is 5 to 7:30 AM. Many thanks to NP authorities for this.

Also, you can do cycling 🚴 from 7:30 AM to 4:30PM where you can bring in your own cycle or you can hire @Rs.80 / Two hrs. National park has an area of more than 100 Sq Kms. Most of the area is restricted 🚫 and visitors are not allowed to enter in the core areas.

Jungle trails / treks are conducted on weekends, where you can enjoy the peace and beauty of nature. Tulshi Lake Trail and Highest Point Trek are most recommended.

Tiger / lion safary, Kanheri Caves, Gandhi Tekdi, Boating are other highlights. If you are lucky, you can sight a leopard also on inner roads.

Now THE Complaints! There is no pass checking (at least as of now and may be for the last 3 to 4 months) for morning walkers. All "Fukte" (ticketless 😜) people enters for a morning walk without a pass. Since there is no checking at the entrance, visitors enters before 7:30 AM to avoid tickets. This is quite a normal on weekends. Also, there is no control on illegal entries from Thakur Complex, Devi Pada, Rishi Van. 😅

Senios citizens (specially Morning Walkers) have made National Park as their own bagicha doing chit chatting loudly, laughing endlessly, singing songs anywhere in the middle of the jungle! People easily forget that they are in a Jungle and not in Thakur Complex ka bagicha. 😝

On Saturday and Sundays people enters with loudspeakers and there is no control by the SGNP authorities. No checking of baggage at the gate. Authorities are so confident about visitors that they think every one will obey the Jungle rules! 😉

NGOs use the National Park space without paying any and earn money by promoting their activities (doing pravachan activities also 😱). People take yoga / zumba classes and even conduct marathon training by using the National Park area. Who allows this? 🤔

Post Covid, vehicles are not allowed in the Park. They are required to be parked in the parking area near the Entrance Gate. However, illegal entry of private cars / 2 wheelers can be seen inside the National Park. Who allows them is a big question. 🙄

Last but not the least .. soon, National Park will be the second Film City in Mumbai. Films, serials are shot here in a so-called protected area. Where a normal private vehicle is to be parked near the gate, 100s of crew vehicles including actors' vehicles are allowed (without any kind of checking! 😱) to drive in on the roads of National Park. 🫣

Once the ticket is issued at the counter, role of SGNP authorities ends! There is no patrolling inside the Park, on the roads. Only at the check points you can see forest guards sitting there.

An Appeal: A sincere appeal to everyone visiting SGNP. Please understand that SGNP is not a garden or a nana nani park. This 100 SqKms of area where you are entering is a protected area of Mumbai, and is a Residence for wild animals. So please follow the Jungle rules and enjoy the Beauty of nature and facilities which are offered by...

A Serene Morning Stroll at Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Nestled in the heart of Thakur Village, Sanjay Gandhi National Park has become an integral part of my daily routine. This verdant oasis offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, and I can confidently say that it is one of the best aspects of residing in this area. The park's unique feature, a separate entry behind the CNS school reserved exclusively for annual pass holders, only adds to its allure.

The park's natural beauty is simply breathtaking. As I enter through the special entrance, I'm greeted by a canopy of lush green trees that seem to touch the sky. The pathways wind through dense foliage, offering a sense of seclusion and serenity that is rare to find in a metropolitan area.

One of the highlights of my morning walks at Sanjay Gandhi National Park is the diverse wildlife that calls this place home. The melodious songs of birds fill the air, and if you're lucky, you might spot some of the park's resident deer going about their daily routines. Observing these graceful creatures in their natural habitat adds a touch of magic to the experience.

The overall ambiance of the park is incredibly serene. The tranquil surroundings, the gentle rustling of leaves, and the chirping of birds make it the perfect place to rejuvenate one's senses. It's an addictive experience, especially if you're a nature lover like me. Each visit to the park unfolds new surprises and moments of sheer natural beauty.

One of the unique features of the park is the presence of water bodies where you'll often find people taking a dip in the early morning hours. However, it's important to note that swimming is not allowed during the day and can result in penalties. This rule helps maintain the peaceful and undisturbed atmosphere of the park.

Another charming aspect of Sanjay Gandhi National Park is the small vendors you'll come across inside. They offer a range of snacks like boiled peanuts, channa (chickpeas), and raw mango slices, adding a delightful culinary element to your morning walk. These vendors contribute to the local economy and add a touch of authenticity to the park experience.

However, it's essential to acknowledge the park's downside. The condition of the roads inside can be quite challenging, especially during the monsoon season. Potholes filled with rainwater can make navigation difficult, and there are places where you might find it hard to avoid getting your shoes wet. The maintenance of the paths and roads leaves much to be desired, and this is an area where improvements are needed.

In spite of this minor inconvenience, Sanjay Gandhi National Park remains a treasure in the heart of Thakur Village. Its natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and serene atmosphere make it an addictive destination for nature enthusiasts. While it's not without its flaws, the overall experience of a morning walk in this park is one that I wouldn't trade for anything else. It's a place where I find solace and inspiration, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a connection with nature amidst the...

Great place to visit once from a tourist point of view

If you are tourist a good half day can be occupied here covering the major aspects of the park ( Kanheri caves , safari ). Few points to note for tourists . Metro station is just 400m from the main entrance

There are tickets at multiple places -- one at main entrance just for entry, one at the Kanheri cave site, one for the safari( safari booking counter ) which is almost 750m from main entrance. There are electric buggies which transport you to the safari site bus boarding area/ticket counter though( charges additional again for the buggy)

Kanheri cave site is again 7.5 km from the main entrance. There are bus points available once inside the park.These bus or mini vans take you to the cave site( bus charges seperate ). You can't bring your car here .its a reserve forest !

There are manual cycle/ bike ( not escooters ) available for rent , just inside the main entrance.80 for 2 hrs ( as in Nov2024) . Still the cycles can't reach to the cave site entrance.you have to park these at 750m far from the cave.and it's a climb walk towards the cave site entrance/ ticket office. So don't suggest as at the cave site you have to again walk lot of steps to see the individual cave /rooms ,unless you like to chill and just ride the bike for hours

There are many trails /treks inside the park which is given in the many park maps. But many of them are closed so you can't literally ride there on cycle

If you have max half day or few hours to spent then Safari and Kanheri Cave would be ideal as it's the major attraction.

Jungle safari just consist of showing lion ( again in a fenced area ) and tigers ( fenced ) at 124 rs / adult which is just fine . They use AC buses for the safari and it takes around 30-40 mins overall. You could still gaze at the difference flora and fauna in the forest on the safari

If there is ample full day available this could be a pincicy place, it has a small boating(pedal) place, orchidareum, biodiversity park( native plants ) cats intro, gardens , sculptures, kids park areas, cycling, monkeys and what not.

Overall a huge rich biodiverse park, from a tourist point of view confusing , not so standardized , many sections not open to public,not maintained and...