India's 48th Tiger Reserve - 820 sq km of Shivalik forest in Uttarakhand. Home to 50+ Bengal tigers, 500+ Asian elephants, 250+ leopards & 315+ bird species. Just 15 km from Haridwar, 20 km from Rishikesh.
Rajaji National Park is a protected national park and Tiger Reserve in the Shivalik hills of Uttarakhand, India. It spans 820 square kilometres across three districts - Haridwar, Dehradun, and Pauri Garhwal - where the outer Himalayas descend into the Indo-Gangetic plains. The park is named after C. Rajagopalachari, the first Indian Governor-General of India and a prominent leader of the independence movement.
Established in 1983 by merging three former wildlife sanctuaries - Rajaji, Motichur, and Chilla - the park was declared India's 48th Tiger Reserve in 2015 under the Government of India's Project Tiger programme. The reserve covers a core zone of approximately 397 sq km and a buffer zone of 423 sq km.
The Ganga, Song, Rawasan, and Suswa rivers flow through the park, creating diverse riverine habitats within the Sal and Teak forests of the Shivalik range. This ecosystem supports over 500 Asian elephants, 50+ Bengal tigers, 250+ leopards, gharials, king cobras, and more than 315 recorded bird species.
Six safari zones - Chilla, Motichur, Ranipur, Mohand, Jhilmil, and Gohri - open each year on November 15 and close on June 15. Gohri Range stays open year-round. Safari slots at Chilla and Motichur fill within days of the season opening. See our best time to visit guide →
Rajaji National Park takes its name from Chakravarti Rajagopalachari - widely known as "Rajaji" - who served as India's last Governor-General before the country became a republic in 1950. He was also the founder of the Swatantra Party and a recipient of the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour. The park was named after him as a tribute to his legacy in the Indian independence movement.
The park was officially constituted on 29 November 1983 under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, by merging the previously separate Rajaji Wildlife Sanctuary (established 1948), Motichur Wildlife Sanctuary (established 1964), and Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary (established 1977). This unification created a single contiguous forest corridor across the Shivalik landscape. In April 2015, the Union Government of India formally declared it India's 48th Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger.
The park's terrain spans the Shivalik range - the southernmost and youngest range of the outer Himalayas - at elevations ranging from 302 metres to 1,000 metres above sea level. The landscape alternates between dense Sal (Shorea robusta) and Teak forests, seasonal grasslands, wetlands, and riverine belts along the Ganga, Song, Rawasan, and Suswa rivers. This habitat diversity is what allows such a wide range of species to coexist within a single reserve.
Rajaji is one of India's most significant Asian elephant habitats. The park is part of the larger Rajaji–Corbett Elephant Reserve, and its elephant population of over 500 individuals represents one of the largest concentrations of Asian elephants in northern India. The park also serves as a critical corridor between the Himalayas and the terai, supporting seasonal wildlife migrations between higher and lower altitudes.
Safari timings follow sunrise and sunset patterns. Below are the 2025–26 season timings for morning and evening slots across all zones.
| Season | Timing |
|---|---|
| November – February | 6:00 AM – 9:30 AM |
| March – June | 5:30 AM – 9:00 AM |
| Season | Timing |
|---|---|
| November – February | 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM |
| March – June | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
All fees below are set by the Uttarakhand Forest Department for the 2025–26 season. Prices are subject to revision, confirm at the gate before your visit.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Indian Adults | ₹150 |
| Indian Children (5–12 yrs) | ₹75 |
| Children below 5 years | Free |
| Foreign Nationals | ₹600 |
| Foreign Children | ₹300 |
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Private Jeep (up to 6 pax) | ₹3,000 |
| Mandatory Naturalist / Guide | ₹1,000 |
| Shared Jeep Safari | ₹950 / person |
| Video Camera Permit | ₹1,500 |
| Binoculars (Optional) | ₹800 |
A group of six Indian adults - including private jeep hire and the mandatory naturalist guide - works out to roughly ₹650–₹800 per person in total. The shared jeep option at ₹950 per person is more economical for solo travelers or couples.
Real wildlife captured in Rajaji National Park's safari zones - elephants, tigers, leopards, and birds in their natural Shivalik habitat.
Rajaji National Park is India's most accessible Tiger Reserve. It sits under 30 km from Haridwar and under 60 km from Rishikesh. You can do a morning safari and return to your hotel by noon - no overnight stay required.
The park hosts over 50 Bengal tigers and 500+ Asian elephants in one connected Shivalik forest. Tiger sightings in Chilla zone rank among the most consistent in North India. Unlike Corbett or Ranthambore, Rajaji National Park remains far less crowded, so you experience the forest in near silence.
Six distinct safari zones mean you choose your experience. Pick Chilla for tigers, Ranipur for leopards, Mohand for birds, or Jhilmil for the rare Barasingha deer. Each zone offers a different ecosystem and wildlife mix within the same reserve.
The 2025–26 season runs from November 15 to June 15. Forest department caps daily vehicle quotas per zone. Book early - slots go fast.
Chilla zone is the only safari zone in Rajaji National Park that currently offers elephant safaris. Riding an elephant through the dense Sal forest gives you a quiet, elevated view of the landscape that no jeep can match.
From an elephant's back, you spot spotted deer, leopards, wild boars, and colourful birds at close range. The slow, steady pace lets wildlife settle around you naturally. Animals are far less startled by an elephant than by a jeep engine.
Elephant safaris also support Rajaji's wildlife conservation program. Book this experience during the morning slot for the best results. Availability is limited - call ahead to confirm.
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Rajaji National Park is just 20 km from Rishikesh. A taxi reaches Chilla Gate in 25–30 minutes via the Haridwar–Rishikesh highway. A morning safari fits comfortably into a Rishikesh day trip.
Mohand safari zone lies even closer to Rishikesh - only 12 km away. It is one of North India's best birdwatching destinations, with over 200 bird species recorded in this stretch of Shivalik forest alone. Wildlife photographers regularly visit Mohand for its rich avian diversity.
From Rishikesh, you can also access Motichur zone in under 30 minutes. Motichur is known for elephant sightings and is a popular family safari choice. Explore Mohand Safari →
Chilla safari zone sits just 8 km from Haridwar city - the closest park entry point to any major town in Uttarakhand. An auto-rickshaw gets you to the gate in about 15 minutes. A taxi costs ₹300–₹400.
Chilla covers the largest core tiger habitat in Rajaji National Park. It consistently records the highest tiger and elephant sighting rates across all six zones. Most returning guests choose Chilla on every visit.
Motichur zone - also close to Haridwar at 9 km - is ideal for families. It sits right on the Haridwar–Rishikesh highway and offers dense Sal forest with frequent elephant sightings. Book Chilla Safari →
Rajaji Tiger Reserve supports one of India's richest Shivalik ecosystems. Around 50 Bengal tigers and 500+ Asian elephants share the forest with hundreds of other species. Read the complete flora and fauna guide for Rajaji →
Rajaji's forests grow Sal (Shorea robusta), Teak, Semal, Rohini, and Khair trees. These provide food and shelter for a wide range of birds and mammals. Dense stands of bamboo and riverine vegetation line the Ganga and Song rivers within the park boundary.
Grasslands cover large sections of the park, feeding elephant herds and deer. They also serve as hunting grounds for tigers and leopards. Many native medicinal plants traditionally used in Ayurveda grow undisturbed through the forest floor of this Shivalik ecosystem.
The park shelters 50+ Bengal tigers, 500+ Asian elephants, and 250+ leopards. On any given safari you may spot Spotted Deer, Sambhar, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Swamp Deer (Barasingha), and Himalayan Goral.
Over 315 bird species have been documented here - including Great Hornbill, Pied Hornbill, Pallas's Fish Eagle, and multiple kingfisher species. Reptiles include king cobras, Indian pythons, monitor lizards, and the critically endangered gharial along the Ganga river corridor.
Each zone in Rajaji National Park has a different landscape, wildlife, and character. Here is a quick guide to help you pick the right one for your trip.
The Chilla Range is Rajaji National Park's primary tiger zone, located near Haridwar. It covers the largest core habitat area and records the highest tiger and elephant sighting rates in the park. The Ganga river forms the eastern boundary. Open November 15 – June 15. Safari duration: 2.5–3 hours.
Explore Chilla Safari →
Mohand Range in Rajaji National Park is 12 km from Rishikesh and is one of North India's finest birdwatching zones, with 200+ species recorded. The Shivalik terrain is more open here, offering excellent wildlife photography opportunities. Safari covers 25–30 km over 2–2.5 hours.
Explore Mohand Safari →
Ranipur Range has the highest leopard sighting rate in Rajaji National Park. The rocky Shivalik terrain provides ideal leopard habitat. Expect spotted deer, sambhar, nilgai, barking deer, and owls in addition to leopard sightings. Safari route: approximately 25 km.
Explore Ranipur Safari →
Jhilmil Jheel is the only wetland conservation zone in Rajaji National Park and the last remaining habitat in Uttarakhand for the endangered Barasingha (swamp deer). This buffer zone is also a key birdwatching area for migratory species. Best visited early morning or late afternoon.
Explore Jhilmil Safari →
Motichur Range in Rajaji National Park sits 9 km from Haridwar on the Haridwar–Rishikesh highway. One of the three original wildlife sanctuaries merged to form the park, Motichur is ideal for families - dense Sal forest with frequent elephant sightings along a 24 km safari route.
Explore Motichur Safari →
Gohri Range is the only safari zone in Rajaji National Park that stays open throughout the year, including during the monsoon months. Located near Kotdwar on the Song River in Dehradun district, it offers tigers, elephants, and diverse birdlife in a less-visited setting.
Explore Gohri Safari →Booking takes under 10 minutes. Follow these five steps to confirm your safari slot in advance.
Choose based on your goal - tigers (Chilla), leopards (Ranipur), birds (Mohand), or family (Motichur). Not sure? Compare all zones →
Select a private jeep safari (up to 6 passengers) for a personal experience, or a shared jeep if you're traveling solo or as a couple.
Visit our website or call +91 99176 06031 for instant booking. WhatsApp also works for quick confirmation.
Book at least 7 days ahead during peak season (November–February). Chilla and Motichur morning slots go first - don't wait.
Enter names, age, and ID proof for all visitors. Indians need Aadhaar or Voter ID. Foreign tourists need a passport number.
Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport - about 35 km from Chilla Gate. Delhi to Dehradun flights take under an hour. A taxi from the airport to the Rajaji National Park gate costs around ₹1,200–₹1,500.
Haridwar Railway Station is 8 km from Chilla Gate. Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi, and Mussoorie Express trains run daily from Delhi. Journey time is 4–5 hours. Check schedules at irctc.co.in.
Rajaji National Park is 230 km from Delhi via NH334 - about a 4.5 to 5-hour drive. Buses and shared taxis run regularly from Delhi, Rishikesh, and Haridwar to park gates.
Chilla Gate is 8 km from Haridwar city. Take an auto-rickshaw (₹80–₹120) or a taxi (₹300–₹400). The gate opens at 6:00 AM for morning safaris - arrive 15 minutes early with your printed permit.
Follow these tips for a safe, rewarding wildlife experience in Rajaji National Park. Your guide will cover these on arrival - but knowing them in advance helps you prepare better.
Veeru Negi has led safaris in Rajaji National Park for over 15 years. He grew up near the park and has explored every trail, riverbank, and forest track in the reserve.
| Feature | What Guests Say |
|---|---|
| Local Expertise | Deep Rajaji National Park knowledge - spots wildlife others miss |
| Sighting Rate | Consistent tiger and elephant sightings in Chilla zone |
| Guest Satisfaction | 5-star ratings, repeat visits, strong word of mouth |
| Conservation Focus | Promotes responsible, low-impact safari tourism |
This isn't a story about a highway damaging a forest. It is, surprisingly, the opposite - a case study in what happens when infrastructure engineers design a road specifically around wildlife.
Read MoreIn December 2025, something changed deep inside Rajaji Tiger Reserve's Chilla zone.
Read MoreMost guides cover the basics. These insider tips go deeper - and will change how you plan your visit to Rajaji National Park.
Read MoreFebruary offers dry conditions, excellent visibility, and peak animal activity near water sources. Here's why it tops our list.
Read Full →Latest tiger activity in Chilla Range with the best locations, timing, and current sighting patterns for the 2026 season.
Read MoreA detailed zone-by-zone comparison - wildlife, terrain, crowds, and sighting probability to help you decide.
Read Guide →Rajaji National Park is open from November 15 to June 15. India's 48th Tiger Reserve sits under 30 km from Haridwar and under 60 km from Rishikesh. Far less crowded than Jim Corbett or Ranthambore - with equally strong tiger and elephant sightings.
Chilla zone slots fill within days of the season opening. Book your morning safari at least a week in advance. Arrive 15 minutes early at the gate with your printed permit - and let the jungle do the rest.
