While Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), located in Borivali, is a favorite with nature lovers, especially those who also have an interest in photography and trekking, SGNP is also a favorite location with schools, who often arrange a trip to the national park.
What is Good?
- Its huge (compared to Mumbai standards, but not as big as some of the other national parks in India)
- Kids can enjoy the train ride, lion safari, and boating.
- Its a good place to sit and relax and enjoy the natural beauty around. Its great for photography and for trekking, especially the area near Kanheri caves.
- You can hire a bicycle (on rent) and explore the place.
“Several school take their kids to Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) to see various kind of flora and fauna. The teachers talk about the different types of soils and plants. Children get to see the habitats of animals, birds and other forest animals. Students also get to see the difference between a national park and a the zoo,” says a teacher of a Mumbai school who had come to SGNP for a visit.
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What could have been better?
- The national park is over-rated, especially if you are going with your kids. If you want your kids to see something bigger/better (more spectacular) compared to the Byculla Zoo, you will be disappointed.
- You can see a few animals (mostly deers, peacock) during the train ride. Monkeys are all around. You get to see a couple of lions and tigers during the safari, and they are all inside enclosures. so you get to see the big cats for about a minute or two during the 20 min safari.
Lion in one of the enclosures (Lion safari at national park, Mumbai) What about leopards?
Well, we didn’t spot any, and they are not kept in enclosures.
- Its recommended that you go on a weekday to avoid rush (there’s a queue for entry, safari, toy ride) and the queue can be really long on holidays.
- There’s a ticket for everything – Entrance, toy train ride, boating, safari, and if you take a few kids along, it can all quickly add up.
- Take your own vehicle, if you can. For those who are not used to walking, the place may seem huge (and the heat can make it even more challenging). While the main points such as the train ride, boating and start of safari are all nearby, Kanheri caves is further away (you can go cycling, take a vehicle or take the bus that plies inside the park).
- At the entrance of SGNP, you will find jeep/van owners who will take you sight-seeing and show you all the main points in the national park, but they are all expensive (thousand rupees for a van). If you’re a tourist, do consider it as you may be running short of time.
- The entrance of the National Park is located on the western express highway near Borivali. For those in the central/western suburbs, its a long journey in the bus. Maybe you should consider the train (although it may only be marginally faster). Taking the auto or cab is quicker but it will cost you a few hundred rupees.
Borivali National Park: Videos
National Park: Location, Maps, Address
- Address: Mumbai-Gujarat Road, Borivali East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400066
- Area: 103.8 sq.km
- Hours: 7.30AM to 5:30PM (closed on Mondays)
- Phone: 022 2886 0389
- Established: 1942
- Website: sgnp.maharashtra.gov.in
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