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Sanjay
Gandhi National Park, better known as Borivali National Park is set
in hill ranges around the suburb of Borivali,
Mumbai . Notified in 1974, it offers a pleasant change from the
usual sights and attractions of the big city. It is hence common to see
the park teeming with school picnics, college picnics and other organized
excursions.
Krishnagiri Upavan, with an area of approximately 5.5-sq-km is reserved,
as a recreational zone inside the park, to cater the educational and
recreational needs of the people. Amongst the several attractions of the
Krishnagiri Upavan, the Lion Safari and the Tiger Safari are the most
famous ones.
One of the main attractions to the National Park is the lion safari, which has been drawing people to the park ever since it was started. The twelve-hectare Lion Safari Park with crisscrossed roads, offer close encounter with the majestic king, from special buses. There are about 25 lions in the respective enclosures.
One more attraction of the park is the new "Tiger
Safari" established on a 20-hectare area in the recreational zone.
The region has a thick forest cover comprising of Teak, Bamboo, Ain,
Khair, Kusum and other species of trees, which constitute an ideal habitat
for Tigers. The area has been developed keeping in mind the natural
habitats and habits of Tigers, with ample tall grasses, lakes, ponds and
islands. A 5-meter high and 2,200 meter long protective fencing surrounds
this 20-hectare plot of land. The tigers have a special cage/shelter for
having their meals and sleeping at night. Two watch towers have been
provided for the safety of the tourists.
In all, 6 tigers have been brought together for this project from all
over India, out of which there are 2 White Indian Tigers. Tourists can
take a special vehicle that drives one through the Tiger's domain and
experience the rare thrill of seeing the lord of the jungle in tooth and
claw. The safari offers an opportunity to the visitors to see and
understand this majestic animal "The Tiger", including the White
Tiger.
Buses have been provided for tourists and roads of 2-km length have been
constructed. Just near the ticket windows, a Tiger Information Cell
provides one with details about the present situation of Tigers with easy
reference, so that one can learn everything one wants to know about these
fascinating beasts.
Sanctuary Timings: 9.00 am to 5.30 pm
Safari Timings:
Morning session: 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
Evening session 2.20 pm to 5.20 pm
Note: The Lion and Tiger Safari are closed on Mondays. Buses for
Safari are available at an interval of 20 minutes.
Air: The nearest airport is Santa Cruz at a
distance of 16-km for domestic air travel. This airport is connected to
almost all the major Indian cities with regular flights. The nearest
international airport is Sahar at a distance of around 20-km from the
park.
Rail: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) at a distance of 40-km
is the nearest railway hub connected to almost all the parts of India by
regular trains. Borivali Station is the nearest railway station connected
to Mumbai CST and Mumbai Central Railway terminuses.
Road: The Park is connected to all parts of Mumbai and other
places in Maharashtra with very good road connections. Buses ply on
Sunday's and holiday's from Mumbai to the Park. Chartered vehicles are
available to the park on all days from Mumbai.
Four rest houses and two camp sheds are available within the park area for the visitors to reside. One can contact the wildlife authorities for bookings.