Quick answer: Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) is a protected forest of about 104 square kilometres in Mumbai’s northern suburbs, with its main gate at Borivali East. It is one of the few national parks in India inside the limits of a major city, and it holds the 2,000-year-old Kanheri Caves, the Vihar and Tulsi lakes, a lion and tiger safari and the revived Van Rani toy train. According to the park’s official website, all activities except Kanheri Caves and Gandhi Tekdi are closed on Mondays and from 1:30 to 2:30 pm daily. Entry and activity fees were revised in 2026, so check current rates before you go.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Location | Borivali East, Mumbai; the northern part extends into Thane |
| Area | About 104 sq km |
| Main gate | Borivali, on the Western Express Highway |
| Monday | Activities closed, except Kanheri Caves and Gandhi Tekdi (official website) |
| Daily break | Activities closed 1:30 to 2:30 pm (official website) |
| Fees | Revised in 2026; check sgnp.maharashtra.gov.in or the gate |
| Nearest station | Borivali (Western line) |
| Time needed | Half a day to a full day |
About the park
Sanjay Gandhi National Park covers about 104 square kilometres of hills, forest and lakes between Mumbai’s western suburbs (Goregaon, Malad, Kandivali, Borivali and Dahisar) and its eastern suburbs (Bhandup and Mulund). Its northern reaches lie in Thane. Aarey and the IIT Bombay campus border it to the south.
The park is often called the “lungs of Mumbai”. Its forests catch the monsoon rain that feeds the Vihar and Tulsi lakes, which were developed in the 19th century as part of the city’s water supply. The park draws more than 2 million visitors a year.
An earlier version of this article said SGNP is “the only national park in the world” inside a city. That is an overstatement; it is one of the few protected areas in India within the limits of a major metropolis.
Wildlife and plants
According to the park’s official website, SGNP is home to around 274 species of birds, 35 species of mammals, 170 species of butterflies and more than 1,300 species of trees and plants. Animals you may see include spotted deer, macaques, flying foxes and many birds, such as kingfishers and sunbirds.
The park is known for its leopards. A 2022 peer-reviewed study found the leopard density in SGNP to be among the highest recorded for the species anywhere. Leopards are shy and mostly active at night, so most visitors never see one, but you should stay on the main roads and follow the forest staff’s rules.
An earlier version of this article listed “lions” among the wild animals and gave different species counts. Lions are seen only in the fenced safari, not in the wild, and the counts have been updated to the park’s own figures.
History of the park
- Ancient period: The park’s official website says the area has a written history going back to the 4th century BCE. The Kanheri Caves at its centre were a major Buddhist centre for centuries.
- Before independence: The area was known as Krishnagiri National Park.
- 1969: The park was enlarged by adding neighbouring reserve forests, and was later administered as Borivali National Park.
- 1981: It was renamed Sanjay Gandhi National Park, after Sanjay Gandhi, the politician and son of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had died in 1980.
An earlier version of this article described Sanjay Gandhi as a former Prime Minister. That was wrong; he never held that office.
Things to do in Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Kanheri Caves
The Kanheri Caves are a complex of more than 100 Buddhist caves cut into a basalt hill in the middle of the park. They were carved over many centuries, beginning around the 1st century BCE, and served as monasteries, prayer halls and a centre of learning. The caves are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and have a separate entry ticket. See our full guide to the Kanheri Caves for history and visiting details.
Lion and tiger safari
The lion safari has operated since 1975, and the tiger safari, first opened in 1998, was redesigned and reopened in 2024 with a 20-hectare enclosure. Visitors ride a bus through fenced enclosures where the animals live. Safari fees were raised in 2026, according to press reports; check the official booking website (safaribooking.mahaforest.gov.in) for current fees and slots. Animal numbers change, so the safari may not always show both species.
Van Rani toy train
The Van Rani (“forest queen”) is a narrow-gauge toy train that has carried visitors through the park since the 1970s. It stopped running in 2021 after Cyclone Tauktae damaged its track. A restored, battery-powered Van Rani was reopened to the public on 14 March 2026, though news reports said it had to pause briefly for repairs soon after. Check at the gate whether it is running on the day of your visit.
Boating, cycling and nature trails
- Boating: The park offers recreational boating on a small lake near the main area.
- Cycling: Cycles can be rented at the entrance gate, a quiet way to ride the main road towards Kanheri.
- Nature trails: The park lists nature trails on its official website; check there for current dates and booking.
- Gandhi Tekdi: A hill with a Mahatma Gandhi memorial and views over the forest.
Park rules and fines
The park’s “Do’s and Don’ts” page lists on-the-spot fines. As published in October 2026, they include:
- ₹1,000 for carrying or drinking alcohol or banned substances, or for feeding or teasing wild animals;
- ₹500 for exceeding the 20 km/h speed limit, entering prohibited areas or without a ticket, staying beyond the allowed time, littering or using plastic, bathing in water bodies, honking or smoking;
- ₹200 for spitting.
Do not use camera flash near animals, play music or carry plastic into the park.
How to reach Sanjay Gandhi National Park
- By train: Take a Western line suburban train to Borivali, about 30 km from South Mumbai. The main gate is a short auto-rickshaw ride from Borivali station (east side).
- By road: The main gate is on the Western Express Highway at Borivali. According to the park, it is about 23 km from Bandra, 30 km from Worli and 41 km from Nariman Point.
- From the airport: The park lists the domestic airport as about 16 km and the international airport as about 18 km from the main gate.
Tips for visiting
- Arrive early: the forest is cooler and birds are more active in the morning.
- Avoid Mondays if you want the safari, toy train or boating.
- The monsoon (roughly June to September) is when the park is greenest and the lakes fill, but trails can be slippery.
- Carry water and wear comfortable shoes, especially if you plan to walk or cycle to Kanheri.
Nearby places
- The Global Vipassana Pagoda at Gorai, west of Borivali
- Water Kingdom, the water park at Gorai
- For more protected forests in the state, see our list of national parks in Maharashtra
Frequently asked questions
Is Sanjay Gandhi National Park open on Monday?
The park’s official website says all activities except Kanheri Caves and Gandhi Tekdi are closed on Mondays. The safari, toy train and boating do not run that day.
How big is Sanjay Gandhi National Park?
About 104 square kilometres (103.84 sq km), stretching across Mumbai’s northern suburbs into Thane.
Are there leopards in Sanjay Gandhi National Park?
Yes. SGNP has one of the highest leopard densities recorded anywhere, but leopards are rarely seen by day visitors. Lions and tigers are seen only in the fenced safari.
Is the Van Rani toy train running?
A restored, battery-powered Van Rani reopened in March 2026 after being shut since Cyclone Tauktae in 2021. Check at the gate on the day, as services can pause for maintenance.
What was Sanjay Gandhi National Park called earlier?
It was called Krishnagiri National Park before independence and later Borivali National Park. It was renamed after Sanjay Gandhi in 1981.
Details checked in October 2026 against the Sanjay Gandhi National Park official website (sgnp.maharashtra.gov.in), published records of the park and 2026 news reports on the Van Rani train and fee revision. Fees and timings change, so check the official website or call the park before visiting.
