Kanha vs Bandhavgarh National Park: Which is Better for Tiger Safari?
When planning a tiger safari in India, there are two prominent names that always take preference. Those are Kanha Tiger…
DISCOVER WHERE INDIA'S WILD STORIES UNFOLD
Plan My Safari
Uttarakhand, Northern India
November to June
5°C in winter to 40°C in summer
Approx. 1,075 sq km core & buffer landscape
Dehradun Airport | Haridwar / Dehradun / Rishikesh Railway Station
302–1,000 meters above sea level
Sal forests, riverine grasslands, Shivalik foothills & wetlands
Asian Elephants, Tigers, Leopards, King Cobra & Rich Birdlife
Wildlife Lodges, Forest Rest Houses & Riverside Camps
Discover The Park
Rajaji forms a critical wildlife corridor connecting the Himalayan foothills to the Terai arc landscape, making it a vital habitat for large mammal movement, particularly for Asian elephants, which undertake seasonal migrations through the reserve. The park’s diverse terrain, spanning dense sal forests, riverine grasslands along the Ganga and Song rivers, and rocky Shivalik slopes, creates a rich mosaic of habitats.
Need Help Planning Your Rajaji Safari?
Every journey begins with a one-to-one consultation, allowing us to design a safari around your interests, travel style and budget.
What Makes It Special
Situated at the gateway to the Himalayas, the park offers a completely different safari experience from Central India’s tiger reserves. The park is a paradise for wildlife lovers seeking a quieter and more diverse wilderness experience. A Rajaji National Park Safari is as much about appreciating the landscape and ecosystem as it is about spotting wildlife. If this is your first time planning a safari in India, then you can read through our India Safari Planning Guide, thoughtfully curated by our experts. This safari guide covers all practical information that you need to know to make informed decisions regarding your trip.
One of India's Best Places to See Wild Elephants
Rajaji Tiger Reserve supports one of the largest populations of wild Asian elephants in North India. The park is famous for its seasonal Asian elephant herd migration, offering visitors an excellent opportunity to observe these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.
Diverse Himalayan Foothill Landscapes
Located along the Shivalik Hills Ganges river corridor, Rajaji features dense Sal forests, broad-leaved forests, grasslands, riverbeds and seasonal streams. This remarkable diversity of habitats supports an equally rich variety of wildlife.
Rich Birdlife & Wildlife Diversity
Beyond elephants and tigers, Rajaji is home to Leopards, Sloth Bears, Goral, Barking Deer, Sambar, Chital and over 300 species of birds. The park is especially popular among birdwatchers, with riverine habitats attracting numerous resident and migratory species throughout the year.
Perfect to Combine with Jim Corbett National Park
Rajaji pairs perfectly with Jim Corbett National Park to create a diverse wildlife itinerary. Corbett offers a different safari experience with a higher chance of tiger sightings. Together, they provide the perfect wildlife safari tour in the himalayan Terai region.
Project Tiger Reserve with Fewer Crowds
Declared Project Tiger 48th reserve, Rajaji protects an important tiger habitat while remaining far less crowded than many of India's better-known parks. Visitors can enjoy peaceful safari drives through pristine forests with fewer vehicles.
Three Distinct Wildlife Sanctuaries
Rajaji is formed by the Rajaji, Chilla and Motichur Wildlife Sanctuaries, each offering unique landscapes and wildlife habitats connected through vital forest corridors that support free movement of elephants and other species.
Explore Every Zone
Rajaji is divided into several tourism zones, each offering a unique wildlife experience. If you’re interested in elephants, Chilla is often the preferred choice. For quieter forests, birdwatching and leopard sightings, Motichur is an excellent option, while Mohand offers a more offbeat wilderness experience.
It is important to understand the Chilla vs Motichur vs Mohand comparison in order to select the most suitable zone for you based on your travel dates, interests and wildlife activity.
Chilla Zone
The most popular tourism zone in the park is Chilla zone, renowned for its excellent elephant sightings, scenic riverine forests and rich wildlife. A Chilla zone safari in Rajaji is particularly rewarding for nature lovers due to the nearby Ganges River and grasslands.
Motichur Zone
The Motichur zone in Rajaji is famous for its dense forests, wildlife corridor and excellent opportunities for birdwatching. Visitors occasionally spot leopards, elephants and numerous bird species while exploring this quieter part of the reserve.
Mohand Zone
Located on the Dehradun side of the park, Mohand offers beautiful forest landscapes and a peaceful safari experience away from the busier tourism routes. It is ideal for visitors looking to experience Rajaji's diverse habitats and scenic wilderness.
Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve
Adjacent to Rajaji, Jhilmil Jheel is a unique wetland ecosystem best known for its thriving population of swamp deer and seasonal birdlife. During winter, the wetlands attract numerous migratory birds, making it a favourite destination for birdwatchers.
Choosing the Right Zone
Each safari zone offers something different. If you're interested in elephants, Chilla is often the preferred choice. For quieter forests, birdwatching and leopard sightings, Motichur is an excellent option, while Mohand offers a more offbeat wilderness experience. Our team can also help you understand the Chilla vs Motichur vs Mohand comparison and recommend the best option based on the season and your interests.
At Jungle Revives, we offer carefully curated Rajaji National Park Safari experiences ranging from short single park safari tour to extended multi-park safaris, wildlife photography expedition and customized Uttarakhand holidays. Whether you’re planning a safari from Haridwar or Rishikesh or combining Rajaji with Jim Corbett National Park, our team can curate tailored itineraries for you.
Every wildlife traveller has different interests and requirements and we build our custom itineraries to accommodate those. We offer complete flexibility so that you can customize almost every aspect of an itinerary including interests, preferred pace, accommodation type, transfer options and more.
Our team is here to guide you and help design a Rajaji Safari Tour that matches your interests, travel style and expectations.
Safari Options Explained
A Safari in Rajaji offers visitors the opportunity to explore the park’s rich forests, riverbeds and grasslands through carefully managed jeep safaris. Each safari follows designated routes within specific tourism zones, offering excellent opportunities to observe elephants, deer, birds and, with a bit of luck, elusive predators.
Advance permits are mandatory for all types of safaris which are subject to change as per the forest department/government.
Nestled between the Shivalik Hills and the Ganges river basin, Rajaji National Park supports an extraordinary diversity of wildlife.
While elephants are undoubtedly the park’s biggest attraction, its forests are also home to tigers, leopards, deer, reptiles and more than 300 bird species, making every safari rewarding.
Species: Asian Elephant
Species: Bengal Tiger, Leopard
Species:Sambar, Chital, Barking Deer, Goral, Wild Boar
Species: Great Hornbill, Crested Serpent Eagle, Kingfishers, Fish Eagles, Woodpeckers
More Than Safaris
Not sure if Rajaji is the right fit for your safari plans? Explore other national parks across India, each offering a different landscape, wildlife experience, and style of travel. You can also browse our curated safari tour packages to find journeys designed around your interests and pace.
FAQs
Jungle Revives is one of the leading safari tour operators for Rajaji National Park, offering customised wildlife holidays with expert naturalists, handpicked accommodations and seamless safari planning. From permits and accommodation to personalised itineraries, we ensure a hassle-free and memorable wildlife experience.
At Jungle Revives, every itinerary of wildlife safari in India is thoughtfully planned and designed around your individual requirements, not a fixed template. We offer complete flexibility and customization, allowing you to shape your India safari tour according to your interests, pace, and travel style. Whether you prefer unhurried game drives, focused wildlife photography, birdwatching sessions, or a balanced pace, we tailor every detail to suit you.
Planning to book tiger safari in India? Share your preferences with us via the enquiry form or get in touch with us directly by dropping an email at info@junglerevives.com
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Latest From Our Guides
If you are planning a Rajaji safari trip, then our collection of guides and articles can come handy to you. These resources include practical information, expert tips, safari destination comparison and practical insights that can help you right from the initial planning process till the time you are in the jungle tracking tigers.
These write ups by our experts cover all the important information regarding Rajaji safari including answers to common queries like how to select the right safari zone, what is the best time to go on a Rajaji safari tour, how does the booking and permit system work, when to book permits, which accommodations are right for me and many more.
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