Mumbai can get very crowded and even claustrophobic at times and it is then when the soul longs for some tranquility and greenery. Thankfully, there are a number of amazing National Parks near Mumbai where you can simply immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and enjoy the sighting of wild animals in their natural habitat. It is quite amazing to watch tigers, bisons and deer in all their wild beauty and the national parks around Mumbai will give you the opportunity to do just that.
The Sanjay Gandhi National Park is the only one of its kind in the precincts of Mumbai and it is a like a slice of paradise. The Shilonda Trail passes through it and nature walks are also held in this park. Several workshops about wild life are also held here. You can also visit the Kanheri Caves, which is quite an excellent place to explore. On the other hand, if you are short of time and do not want to walk all the way, you can simply take a shuttle to the caves which costs INR 30 per head only. Do not miss out the Tiger Safari, the most noted attraction of the park, which costs INR 60 only, including guide and jeep fare.
Location: Borivali East
Timings: 7:30 am to 6 pm
Attraction: Tiger Safari and Kanheri Cave exploration.
Those who love birds, will sure want to visit the Karnala Bird Sanctuary. It is home to over 300 species of birds and the best time is to visit during June and July, when the monsoons have just begun and the trees turn a vibrant shade of green and you can hear the birds chirping away with joy. On the other hand, if you want to catch the migratory birds in action, then you have to visit during the months of October to February. You can also trek to the Karnala Fort and it offers a great view of the park around. Trekking to the fort is most pleasurable activity here. You need to pay INR 100 if you have a camera.
Location: Panvel
Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
Attraction: Trek to Karnala Fort
This national park will leave you spoilt for choice when it comes to trying out various activities. You can follow a trail through the lush green forests and go hiking. You can also photograph the elusive Indian Giant Squirrel and various kinds of birds in their natural habitat. The safari of the park is one of a kind and you will get acquainted with various kinds of trees. The Bhimashankar Temple is also located inside the sanctuary, which is believed to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingyas.
Location: Bhimashankar
Timings: 6 am to 6 pm
Attraction: Bhimashankar temple and watching the Indian Giant Squirrel
This coastal woodland ecosystem is one of a kind and because of its unique location, the plants and animals here are also quite rare to come by. Apart from the birds and animals, this sanctuary is home to over 90 species of butterflies and the Indian Giant Squirrel can be found here as well. The park is not huge but it is not small either so you might want to hire a jeep to go around it.
Location: Raigad in Roha
Timings: 8 am to 8 pm
Attraction: Multiple species of butterflies and the Indian Giant Squirrel
This wildlife sanctuary is located in the heart of the Satara district and is a haven for nature lovers. You will be amazed to catch the Sambhar deer and the Royal Bengal Tiger in their natural habitat. You can also stay overnight look on the jungle on moonlit nights. The tourists mostly visit during the months between October to January but if you want to see the forests in all their glory, then you have to visit during the months of June to September, that is, if you are prepared to deal with the rain. You will also find a few home stays and guest houses in the vicinity if you want to stay the night.
Location: Koyna in Satara district
Timings: 9:30 am to 7 pm
Attraction: Bengal Tigers
As the name suggests, this reserve is dedicated mostly to tigers and is the first of its kind in Maharashtra. This reserve is actually located within the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and quite a few species of tigers call it their home, including the Bengal Tiger. The astounding number of trees that are found here will pique the interest of any nature lover and there are some rare trees like harpullia arborea, scolopia creneta and turpinia malabarica to be found here. You will be a lucky chap if you manage to photograph tigers in their natural habitat.
Location: Koyna Reserve
Timings: 7 am to 6 pm
Attraction: Bengal Tigers, of course!
The Sagareshwar Deer Park happens to be the first manmade deer park in India and it is about 10 minutes away from Audember. A wide species of deer are to be found here including Blackbucks, Chital, Sambar and the Muntjac. You will have a lovely time photographing them and watching herds graze peacefully. If you have some time on your hands, do head towards the Krishna Valley Wine Park just by the sanctuary where you can learn about wine making and indulge in wine tasting as well.
Location: Tupari
Timings: 6 am to 6 pm
Attraction: Many species of deer and the nearby Krishna Wine Valley
This is a very popular national park located in the western part of Maharashtra and wildlife enthusiasts love the tranquility of the region. This park is home to over 250 species of animals and there are countless species of birds and trees as well. The bird watching tour of the park is really amazing, or you could opt for a full fledged safari. You may also trek through the park, which takes about 2 to 3 hours you will have not experienced such a rejuvenating walk before.
Location: Sangli
Timings: 7 am to 5 pm
Attraction: Bird watching
This spectacular sanctuary has been built solely for the preservation of the Great Indian Bustard, which is now considered an endangered species. The sanctuary is spread over an acre of land and is dedicated to the preservation of birds. A number of tours are often conducted to create awareness about the preservation of ecosystem. Apart from the Bustard, the park is also home to the Eurasian Collared Dove and the India Bushlark, both of whose population is rapidly dwindling. Among the animals, there are jackals, wolves, blackbucks and quite a few reptiles to be found here.
Location: Nannaj
Timings: 6 am to 5 pm
Attraction: Great Indian Butard and the Eurasian Collared Dove
This wildlife sanctuary will open your eyes to a large number of flora and fauna and the best way to explore this huge park is to take a safari which leaves every hour from the main gate. You will get to travel through the length of the park and the guide will tell you about the various kinds of plants and animals to be seen here. Visitors are allowed to keep the surroundings clean and plastic is not allowed inside.
Location: Kolhapur
Timings: 7 am to 5 pm
Attraction: Jungle Safari
Unlike many other sanctuaries, this one is located on the banks of two rivers, the Anner and the Manjal and this not so little park spread for about 178 sq meters. You will have a great time looking at the trees and exploring the woods, with all kinds of birds greeting you and there is also a modest guest house of sorts in the premises which more or less takes care of all the basics for a comfortable, overnight stay. The best thing about it is that you get woken up at the crack of dawn by the cacophony of birds all around you, urging you to start a very good day.
Location: Yawal
Timings: 5 am to 8 pm for the tour
Attraction: Myriad variety of birds
This national park is actually a part of the larger Melghat Sanctuary and is sort of rugged and hilly spot. However, it is because of this that tourists do not visit the place as much and so it is more or less like a hidden gem. You can go for a trek in the hills and capture bird and animal sounds on a camcorder. The river flows nearby and you can simply relax here and watch the birds and squirrels frolicking around.
Location: Chikhaldara
Timings: 7 am to 8 pm
Attraction: Bird watching
These amazing national parks near Mumbai will let you know more about the wildlife in India and teach you how important it is to maintain ecological balance. The next time the city of Mumbai feels too overbearing, visit these amazing national treasures for a breath of fresh air.
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