Rajaji National Park
Credit: Shadab Khan

Rajaji National Park, nestled in the Shivalik Range of Uttarakhand, is a beautiful option to consider if you are sitting in the northern plains of India. Located in three districts of Uttarakhand: Dehradun, Haridwar, and Pauri Garhwal are spread over 820.42 square km.

History

The national park is named after Indian freedom fighter Sri C. Rajagopalchariya, popularly known as Rajaji. A well-known statesman, the first governor-general of independent India, received the Bharat Ratna award in 1954. In 1983, Rajaji national park was formed by merging sanctuaries named Rajaji(1948), Motichur(1964), and Chilla(1977)

Fauna of Rajaji National Park 

Leopards and tigers are the prime predators of national parks. Other carnivorous animals found in the park include the civet, jungle cat, yellow-throated marten, jackal, and Bengal fox.

herbivorous animals, including hog deer, barking deer, sambhar deer, goral, and nilgai. For bird watchers, Rajaji National Park is a birder’s paradise. have found habitat in the park.

For bird watchers, Rajaji National Park is a birder’s paradise. Over 300 species of birds include woodpeckers, kingfishers, barbet, warblers, great pied hornbills, etc.

Flora of Rajaji National Park 

Sal (Shorea robusta)

Pipal (Ficus religiosa)

Bamboo (Bambusa arundinacea)

Khair (Acacia catechu)

Saja (Terminalia elliptica)

Khingan (Lagerstroemia parviflora)

Baans (Dendrocalamus strictus)

Amaltas (Cassia fistula)

Kadamb (Neolitschea grandis)

Chir Pine (Pinus roxburghii)

These species play a critical role in maintaining the park’s ecosystem, providing habitat and food for its wildlife, and supporting the local communities that depend on the forest for their livelihoods.

Rajaji National Park safari
Credit: Sujoy Sutradhar

Safari activities

15 Nov – 31 Dec 6:30 am to 3:30 pm

1 Jan – 31 Mar  6:30 am to 4:30 pm

1 April – 15 June 6:09 am to 5:00 pm

For the most up-to-date information on safari timings, always check with the park authorities or your tour operator.

How to reach Rajaji National Park 

road

By Road: The park is well connected by road to major cities in the region, such as Dehradun, Haridwar, and Rishikesh. Visitors can take local buses or hire private vehicles to reach the park.

train

By Train: The nearest railway station to Rajaji National Park is Haridwar, which is well-connected to major cities in India. From Haridwar, visitors can hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach the park.

air

By Air: The nearest airport to Rajaji National Park is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is well-connected to major cities in India. From the airport, visitors can hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach the park.