Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP; Marathi and Hindi: संजय गांधी राष्ट्रीय उद्यान), formerly the Borivali National Park, is a large protected forest occupying much of the northern suburbs of Mumbai. Often called the lungs of the city, it is one of the few national parks that sits within the limits of a major metropolis, and is famous for its resident leopards and the ancient Buddhist caves carved into its hills.

The park is remarkably biodiverse for an urban green space, with over 1,000 plant species, more than 250 bird species, around 40 mammal species and dozens of reptiles, amphibians and butterflies. Reptiles include mugger crocodiles in Tulsi Lake, pythons, cobras, kraits and monitor lizards, while the birdlife ranges from jungle owlets and golden orioles to hornbills, sunbirds, paradise flycatchers and kingfishers. Leopards move through the forest and occasionally into the bordering neighbourhoods, making the park a notable case of wildlife living alongside a dense city.

The park is accessible from Borivali East, with the Yeoor Hills section reached from Thane West. The cooler, drier months from October to February are the most pleasant for visiting and walking the trails; the monsoon (June to September) turns the forest lush and green but brings heavy rain and leech-prone trails, while April and May are hot. The main gates are open 7:30AM–5:30PM daily.

By Plane

The nearest airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai, roughly 25–30 km south of the Borivali East gate. From the airport, app-based cabs (Ola, Uber) or prepaid taxis reach the park in about 1 to 1.5 hours depending on traffic; you can also take a suburban train from a nearby station toward Borivali.

By Train

SGNP is about 3 km (1.9 mi) east of Borivali station on the Western Railway suburban line, the most convenient approach — Borivali is a major stop for both slow and fast local trains from Churchgate. From the station, autorickshaws and buses run the short distance to the main gate. The Yeoor Hills section is reached from Thane West station on the Central Railway line.

By Car / Road

By road the main gate is on the Western Express Highway corridor in Borivali East, easily reached from anywhere in Mumbai and from Thane. Driving from south Mumbai takes roughly 1–1.5 hours depending on traffic; from Thane the Yeoor Hills entry is about 30–40 minutes. BEST and other city buses serve Borivali East, and autorickshaws cover the last stretch to the gate.

The park is served by suburban trains to Borivali (Western Railway) and the metro — SGNP is served by Rashtriya Udyan station on Metro Line 7. From the gate, autorickshaws and city buses connect to the surrounding suburbs. Inside the park, personal vehicles are allowed up to the Kanheri Caves on payment of a nominal fee at the main gate, beyond which exploration is on foot or via the park's own attractions; cycling and walking are popular along the internal roads. Use the official ticketed services rather than informal offers, and stick to marked trails.

Borivali East

• Kanheri Caves (कान्हेरी लेणी) — A complex of 109 rock-cut Buddhist caves dating back roughly two millennia, carved into a basalt hillside. Most were viharas (living and study quarters) for monks, with the larger ones serving as chaityas (prayer halls); the site was linked to ancient trade centres such as Sopara and Kalyan. The park's signature historical sight, reachable by road or trail.
• Tulsi Lake (तुळशी तलाव) — The second-largest lake in Mumbai, part of the city's water supply, inhabited by mugger crocodiles.
• Teenmurti Temple (तीनमूर्ती मंदिर) — A Jain temple revered by the Digambar sect, with three large idols of Lord Adinath and his sons Bahubali and Bharat.

Thane West

• Yeoor Hills (Mama Bhanja Hills) — A scenic, forested range with rich flora and fauna, around 78 bird species and one of the highest leopard densities in India; trekking here is a highlight, and the 150-year-old shrine of Mama Bhanja is the main draw.

The park is laced with public walking trails. The popular Ashok Van trail winds through thick forest to a cluster of Ashoka trees, with a return route via the Gaumukh trail ending at an open volcanic rock face near the Kanheri Caves. The more demanding "View Point" trail climbs to the highest point in Mumbai for a panorama over Tulsi, Vihar and Powai lakes, while the Nagla Block trail (about 3 km) runs to the Vasai Creek mangroves and is excellent for birding. The park also runs a narrow-gauge toy train, the Van Rani, on a short 15-minute loop past the Deer Park; pedal-boating on the small lake near the Van Rani starting point; and a safari ride in fenced enclosures where lions and tigers can be viewed from a caged bus. Birdwatching and leopard-spotting (with care) round out the experience.

Food options inside the park are limited to basic stalls and canteens near the gate and main attractions, serving snacks, vada pav, sandwiches, soft drinks and tea — fine for a light bite during a visit. For a proper meal, Borivali East and West just outside the park offer a wide range, from Maharashtrian and South Indian eateries to North Indian and Chinese restaurants across all price tiers. Vegetarian food is abundant, and Mumbai's famous street snacks — vada pav, pav bhaji and bhel — are easy to find nearby.

Carry bottled water, especially for longer trails, as the park can be hot and humid; fresh coconut water, tea, soft drinks and fresh lime soda are sold at stalls near the gate. There is no alcohol service inside the park. Cafés, juice bars and restaurants in the surrounding Borivali neighbourhoods cover other drinks; stick to bottled or filtered water rather than tap water.

The park itself does not offer tourist accommodation, and overnight stays inside are not the norm — most visitors come on a day trip and stay in Mumbai.

There is little formal shopping inside the park beyond small kiosks selling snacks, soft drinks, bottled water and a few souvenirs near the entrance and the toy-train area. For shopping, head to the surrounding Borivali markets, where you'll find everyday goods and food; for a wider selection, the malls and shopping streets of the northern suburbs are a short ride away. Bargaining is normal at street stalls and informal markets.

• Mumbai city centre (about 25–30 km south) — Gateway of India, Marine Drive, museums and markets.
• Borivali and the northern suburbs (adjacent) — Beaches such as Gorai and Madh Island, and the Global Vipassana Pagoda near Gorai.
• Thane (adjacent to the Yeoor Hills section) — Lakes, gardens and the gateway to the Yeoor trekking trails.
• Elephanta Caves (ferry from the Gateway of India) — UNESCO-listed rock-cut cave temples on an island in Mumbai harbour.
• Matheran (about 2.5–3 hr) — A car-free hill station with a heritage toy train and viewpoints.
• Lonavala–Khandala (about 2.5–3 hr) — Popular Western Ghats hill stations with waterfalls and forts.