Safari at Rajaji National Park from Rishikesh: Timings, Price and Best Zone
Safari at Rajaji National Park is the easiest jungle trip you can do from Rishikesh. You sit in an open gypsy, go inside the forest with a guide, and look for elephants, deer, birds and, with some luck, a leopard or tiger. This page tells you which zone to take, how much the jeep costs, and how not to miss your slot.
Quick answer: For safari at Rajaji National Park from Rishikesh, take the Chilla zone. It is about 20 to 25 km from Rishikesh and about 10 to 13 km from Haridwar. A jeep safari takes 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the route.
Season: 15 November to 14 June. Closed: 15 June to 14 October (monsoon). Jeep fee: from INR 2,500 for Indians and INR 3,000 for foreigners, plus entry fees (full table below).
Pick your trail stop
Jeep priceIndians and foreigners
Best timeSeason and hours
Safari dayStep by step
What you seeAnimals and birds
After safariDam and Gujjar village
QuestionsQuick answers
About Rajaji National Park
Rajaji National Park is in Uttarakhand, North India. It was made in 1983 by joining three sanctuaries: Motichur, Rajaji and Chilla. The park is around 820 square km of sal forest, hills and river land near the Ganga. It is best known for wild elephants, and that is why many people call it the kingdom of the elephant.
The safari starts from the small village of Chilla. Guests from Rishikesh usually come here because the drive is short. You can read more about the area on our Chilla Range page.
Which Zone Is Best for Safari at Rajaji National Park?
Many guests get confused here, so keep it simple. Three zones give safari to tourists.
| Zone | Safari time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Chilla (Jhilmil, Ranipur, Chilla I) | 2.5 to 3 hours | Longest route, elephants, birds, river side. Best choice from Rishikesh. |
| Chilla II (Andheri) and Motichur (Satyanarayan) | 1.5 to 2 hours | Shorter trip, good if you have less time. |
| Gohri range (buffer zone) | 1.5 to 2 hours | Haridwar side, quieter, cheaper entry. |
Our advice: if you stay in Rishikesh and have one free morning, go for Chilla. If you want tiger and leopard chance, Motichur side is talked about more, but remember any sighting is luck.
Rajaji Safari Price: Jeep and Entry Fees
Each gypsy takes up to 6 guests. The price has three parts: the gypsy charge, the vehicle entry fee and the gate entry fee per person. One child up to 5 years goes free in the jeep.
For Indian nationals
| Entry gate | Guests | Gypsy (INR) | Vehicle entry (INR) | Gate entry (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chilla I / Jhilmil / Ranipur (2.5 to 3 hrs) | 1 to 6 | 3,000 | 250 | 150 per person |
| Chilla II / Motichur – Satyanarayan (1.5 to 2 hrs) | 1 to 6 | 2,500 | 250 | 150 per person |
| Gohri (1.5 to 2 hrs) | 1 to 6 | 2,500 | 100 | Not applicable |
For foreign nationals
| Entry gate | Guests | Gypsy (INR) | Vehicle entry (INR) | Gate entry (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jhilmil / Ranipur / Chilla I | 1 to 4 | 4,000 | 500 | 600 per person |
| Jhilmil / Ranipur / Chilla I | 5 to 6 | 5,000 | 500 | 600 per person |
| Chilla II (Andheri) | 1 to 6 | 3,000 | 500 | 600 per person |
| Gohri range (buffer zone) | 1 to 6 | 3,000 | 500 | Not applicable |
Best Time and Timings for Safari at Rajaji
The park is open for visitors from 15 November to 14 June. It is closed in monsoon, 15 June to 14 October. Animals are most active early in the morning and late in the afternoon, so choose the first or the last slot. As per the old schedule, jeep safari runs on weekdays from morning till evening, but slots depend on the zone and the day, so we always confirm one day before.
Some tour companies offer birdwatching trips on the edge of the park even outside the main season. Ask us if you want that.
How to Book and How Your Safari Day Goes
You can try to book alone, but honestly many guests miss their slot. The jungle road in the early morning is not easy to find, and the permit counter has a queue. Rishikesh to Rajaji (Chilla range) is about 25 km by Vibhadra road, so we suggest booking through a local agent who also arranges the pickup.
- Choose date and zoneMessage us with the number of guests, nationality and date.
- We check the slotWe confirm the gypsy, permit and price for your group.
- Early pickupDriver picks you up from your stay in Rishikesh. Carry ID card, or passport for foreign guests.
- Gate and guidePermit check at the gate, then the guide sits with you in the gypsy.
- Inside the forestStay seated, speak slow, no loud music and no getting down.
- ReturnDrop back to Rishikesh. Many guests go for lunch and rest after.
What You Can See on a Rajaji Safari
The old forest records we use mention more than 315 bird species and about 23 large mammal species, with a big elephant population of several hundred. Tigers and leopards are also counted in the park, plus Himalayan bear, sambar deer, spotted deer, hyena and many more. Sambar is a large deer, but it is not always easy to spot even if there are many.
Here is what we suggest to do during the trip:
- Birdwatching: take binoculars. Great hornbill and crested kingfisher are lucky sights.
- Photography: animals, forest light and river views. A zoom lens helps.
- Nature walk: only in permitted buffer areas, with a guide.
- Jungle camping: possible in some designated places, depending on the park rules and permission.
Be honest with yourself: tiger is rare. Elephant, deer, peacock and birds are the normal gifts of the day.
After the Safari: Chilla Dam and Gujjar Village
Chilla Dam is a calm place to sit after the safari. In winter, migratory birds come here, so it is good for bird lovers. Another stop is a Gujjar tribal village inside the park area, where buffalo herding is the main work. The Gujjar people have lived in this forest for a very long time, so please be respectful and ask before taking photos of families.
Want more time around Rishikesh? Read how much time in Rishikesh is enough, or plan a sunrise trek to Kunjapuri Temple. If you plan July or August, also read why to avoid Rishikesh in July and August. Thinking about Corbett as well? See our Corbett jungle safari guide.
Safari at Rajaji National Park: Common Questions
Which is the best zone for safari at Rajaji National Park?
Chilla (Jhilmil, Ranipur, Chilla I) is the best for guests from Rishikesh. It has the longest route of 2.5 to 3 hours, and good chance of elephants and birds.
How much does a Rajaji jeep safari cost?
For Indians, the gypsy charge is INR 2,500 to 3,000 plus entry fees. For foreigners, it is INR 3,000 to 5,000 plus entry fees and gate fee per person. Up to 6 guests can sit in one gypsy.
What is the best time for safari at Rajaji National Park?
The park is open from 15 November to 14 June. Early morning and late afternoon are the best slots for animals.
Is Rajaji National Park open in monsoon?
No. It is closed from 15 June to 14 October each year.
How far is Rajaji National Park from Rishikesh?
The Chilla range is about 20 to 25 km from Rishikesh. Motichur is closer to Haridwar, about 10 km from there.
Can children join the jeep safari?
Yes. One child up to 5 years can sit in the jeep without any charge.
Can I book Rajaji safari from Rishikesh?
Yes. Send us your date, number of guests and nationality on WhatsApp. We arrange the jeep, permit and pickup from Rishikesh.
Book your Rajaji jeep safari
Our Rajaji jeep safari is one of the most booked tours from Rishikesh. Send us your date and group size, and we will confirm the slot and the exact price for you. No pressure, just a simple reply.
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