Sanjay Gandhi National Park is one of the most visited parks in the world. It covers approximately 104square km of area. More than 2 million visitors come to this park annually. (Source Wikipedia)

People come here for one day outing. The view of National Park is more beautiful during rainy season.

Our Experience

Out of the four days stay in Mumbai, we spent one half day at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). As all four of us are fond of jungle,SGNP was a must visit place for us. Although we were excited for Sanjay Gandhi National Park it being April, the heat was discouraging. After having street food as breakfast, we headed for Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Entrance at Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Viharin.com- Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Park was quite hot. But bearable. Trees and plants were dried out. We treaded inside. The way was quiet clear.

Drive way at Sanjay Gandhi National Park

If one really wants to explore the park, one should fish out a full day for it. Since we had limited time, we took the car wherever it was allowed. We went to see Kanheri caves. Since construction was going there, nobody was allowed to go to the hilltop.

View of Kanheri caves from the ground

After Kanheri caves, it was turn for Lion and Tiger safari. We had to take tickets from the counter. There was a huge queue . Near the ticket counter, a little museum of animals was there. It had statues of Lion, Tiger, Cobra etc. Then came our safari bus. It was a caged bus.

Caged bus safari at Sanjay Gandhi National Park

It took us to show Tiger first. Tiger was caged to in multiple layers.

White tiger resting in Sanjay Gandhi National Park in the left of the photo

Tiger was lazing around in sun. It did not show much activity. We stayed there for few minutes and went ahead to check what Lion was doing.

Lion resting in its cage

Lion was resting in the sun. It did not move at all. No activity of Lion saddened everyone in the bus. We waited for a while to see some activity but in vain.

Lion

You can see how lean it looked. It ignored us totally. So, disappointed we returned to our car.

Kids playing with monkeys in play area at Sanjay Gandhi National Park

While going back, there were swings on the way which kids enjoyed. Some kids were also playing with monkeys around. I felt it to be scary. If a monkey retaliated, it could be harmful. So, I held back my kids. Being disturbed for a while, mother monkey attacked a little girl but somehow went back. Girl was frightened but managed.

Caution– Whenever in jungle or anywhere, one should not disturb animals. It can lead to an undesired event.

Things to explore in Sanjay Gandhi National Park

1. Lion Safari
2. Swings at Children’s park
3. Kanheri caves are actually a picnic spot during rainy season. Small waterfalls are formed during rainy season giving a beautiful view. This place is the most green in Mumbai. It is away from noice and pollution. Provides cool and fresh breeze
4. Animal museum
5. Boating

How to reach

By road

Any local transport can take you to Sanjay Gandhi National Park

By train

Borivali and Malad are the nearest train stations. One can take any local transport from these stations

Where to eat 

There are small small vendors in SanJay Gandhi National Park selling sweet corns, salads etc. Small shops for snacks etc Restaurants near SNGP in Borivali East – Onyx and Neelam-e-Punjab at Annex Mall, Western Express Highway;Raju’s kitchen at MG road, ST depot; Su-swagat at Kusum Bharti, special steel ltd. Source Zomato.com

Hotel Meena, Hotel Saryu, Prakash restaurant Bar, Hotel Satish bar and restaurant .  source ixigo.com

Where to shop

1. Dhanraj Shopping Center
2. Shreeji shopping arcade
3. Borivali BMC market
4. Borivali West Municipal Market
5. Borival shopping center
6. Sai shopping mall

Source -ixigo.com

Where to stay

Hotels within 5 kms of SanJay Gandhi National Park

1. Hotel Satkar Residency
2. Hotel Tip Top Plaza
3. Hotel Ratna Palace Residency
4. Fortune Park Lake City, Thane
5. Hotel Sharanam

Hotels within 7 kms of SanJay Gandhi National Park

1. Hotel Alka residency
2. United 21
3. The Maharaja

Hotels within 8 kms of SanJay Gandhi National Park

1. Hotel Sea n Rock
2. The Westin Mumbai Garden City

Source- hotels.com

Did you know? 

1. Kanheri caves
   • are 2,400 years old. Kanheri comes from Sanskrit Krishnagiri which means black mountain.
   • There are 109 special entrances to caves. Caves are chiseled from basaltic rock
   • Buddhist influence on Indian art and culture is depicted through Kanheri caves. This place became an institution for worship, meditation and study for Buddhist.
   • Cave no 34 has unfinished paintings of Buddha on the ceiling
2. Sanjay Gandhi National Park is infamous for killings by leopards that come out of forest to nearby areas.