Uttarakhand · Elephants by the Ganga
Rajaji National Park
Shivalik forests next to Haridwar and Rishikesh, best known for Asian elephants and the Ganga flowing through the park.
- Established
- 1983 (national park) · 2015 (tiger reserve)
- Area
- About 820 km²
- Districts
- Haridwar, Dehradun & Pauri Garhwal
- Safari zones
- Chilla · Motichur · Ranipur · Jhilmil Jheel
- Season
- Mid-November to mid-June
- Nearest city
- Haridwar / Rishikesh (30 minutes)
History
How the park came to be
Rajaji was formed in 1983 by joining the Rajaji, Motichur and Chilla sanctuaries. It is named after C. Rajagopalachari ('Rajaji'), India's last Governor-General.
It became a tiger reserve in 2015. The park marks the north-western limit of the Asian elephant's range in India.
FloraForest & landscape
Sal forest, riverine forest and grassland on the Shivalik hills, cut by seasonal riverbeds (raus).
FaunaWildlife you can see
- Asian elephant
- Bengal tiger
- Leopard
- Sloth bear
- Himalayan black bear
- Goral
- Sambar
- Chital
- Barking deer
- King cobra
Birds: Over 400 species, including great hornbill and many Himalayan foothill birds.
On the ground
Things to do
Chilla zone safari
Most popular zone, near the Ganga canal.
Motichur & Jhilmil Jheel
Wetland swamp deer and birds at Jhilmil.
Haridwar Ganga aarti
Evening aarti at Har Ki Pauri.
Rishikesh
Rafting, cafés and yoga.
Travel tips
- Easy 1–2 night add-on to a Rishikesh trip
- Morning safaris are best for elephants
- Combine with Corbett