One of the most refreshing things about Haridwar is how quickly the wild begins. Rajaji National Park, now officially Rajaji Tiger Reserve, starts practically on the city's doorstep. The closest safari gate, Motichur, is only 9 km from the city centre, making a morning jungle safari one of the most accessible wildlife experiences in India. Whether you are planning your first jeep safari or returning for a specific zone, this guide covers everything you need: the zones, the timings, how to book, what to expect, and how to plan your day from a Haridwar base.
About Rajaji National Park
Rajaji Tiger Reserve spans roughly 820 square kilometres across the Shivalik foothills, covering parts of Haridwar, Dehradun, and Pauri Garhwal districts. It is home to elephants, leopards, tigers, deer, wild boar, gharials, and a remarkable variety of birds, including kingfishers, hornbills, and woodpeckers. The park connects with Corbett Tiger Reserve to the east via wildlife corridors, making it part of one of the most important tiger landscapes in India.
Elephants are the most reliably spotted animals and the undisputed star of a Rajaji safari. In a welcome development for 2025 to 2026, elephant safaris resumed at the Chilla zone in December 2025 after a seven-year ban, giving visitors a chance to experience the forest from elephant-back for the first time in years.
Safari Zones Near Haridwar
Rajaji has five public safari zones. Four of them sit close to Haridwar and are the main choices for visitors staying in the city.
Chilla Zone (approx. 12 km from Haridwar)
The most popular zone and the best all-round choice for a first visit. Chilla sits along the Ganga riverfront and offers dense forest, grassland patches, and the Chilla canal road where most wildlife sightings occur. Elephant herds appear on nearly every morning safari. Tigers and leopards are present but not guaranteed. Chilla is also the only zone where elephant safaris are available.
To reach Chilla gate: take the Haridwar bypass road toward Rishikesh, pass through Shyampur town, turn right toward Chilla barrage, and continue approximately 6 km along the river road to the gate.
Motichur Zone (approx. 9 km from Haridwar)
The closest zone to Haridwar and a good option for those with limited time. Motichur is quieter than Chilla on weekends, and its sal forest sections feel more enclosed and atmospheric. Wildlife sightings are consistent, and the zone works well as an evening safari complement to a Chilla morning.
Ranipur and Jhilmil Zones (approx. 15 km from Haridwar)
Both zones are about 15 km from the city in different directions. Ranipur offers good variety and is slightly less crowded than Chilla, while Jhilmil Jheel is primarily a wetland conservation reserve with exceptional birdwatching. Jhilmil operates on a slightly different schedule and had an extended closing date of 30 June 2026 in the most recent season.
Rajaji National Park Safari Timings
Safari timings are consistent across all zones for the same season, with two daily slots:
- Morning safari: 6:00 AM to 9:30 AM (peak winter season, mid-November to February). Shifts to 5:30 AM to 9:00 AM in summer (May to June).
- Evening safari: 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM (peak winter season). Shifts to 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM in spring (March to April).
Each safari lasts approximately 3.5 hours in an open-top Gypsy jeep with a forest department guide. Gates open 30 minutes before the safari start time for permit verification and guide assignment. Arrive at least 20 minutes before your slot, as late arrivals after the Gypsy has entered the forest are not admitted and permits are forfeited with no refund.
A practical tip: if you want to do two safaris in a single day, a morning Chilla session (6:00 AM to 9:30 AM) combined with an evening Motichur session (3:00 PM to 6:30 PM) is possible since both zones are close to Haridwar and 15 km apart.
When Is Rajaji National Park Open?
Rajaji Tiger Reserve is open for tourist safaris from mid-November to mid-June each year. The park closes during the monsoon season (mid-June to mid-November) when forest roads become impassable and the Forest Department conducts conservation and maintenance work.
This is an important point for visitors planning a trip during the monsoon or early post-monsoon months. If you are visiting Haridwar between July and October, the park will be closed. The best time to plan a Rajaji safari is between November and February for wildlife sightings, or March to May for spring forest conditions.
For your Haridwar trip planning, see our guide to the best time to visit Haridwar, and for more ideas on combining a safari with other Haridwar experiences, our roundup of things to do near Haridwar is a useful starting point.
How to Book a Rajaji National Park Safari
Online booking is available through the official Uttarakhand Forest Department safari portal. The process is straightforward:
- Go to the official Uttarakhand Forest Department booking portal and select Rajaji Tiger Reserve.
- Choose your zone (Chilla, Motichur, Jhilmil, Ranipur, or Mohand) and preferred date.
- Select your time slot: morning (6:00 AM) or evening (3:00 PM).
- Enter names, ages, and ID proof numbers for all visitors. Indian nationals need Aadhaar or Voter ID. Foreign tourists need passport numbers.
- Pay via UPI, net banking, or card. Your permit is emailed immediately and can be shown on your phone at the gate.
Online booking requires at least 24 hours advance notice. For same-day bookings, visit the safari booking office at the entry gate, subject to availability. During peak season (November to February), Chilla zone slots fill within 24 to 48 hours, so book two to three weeks ahead. Spring slots (March to April) typically need a week's notice, and summer slots (May to June) are more readily available.
The Uttarakhand Tourism site carries current advisories and links to the booking portal, and the India Meteorological Department forecast is worth checking before an early-morning departure in the winter months when temperatures at the Chilla riverfront can drop to 4 to 6 degrees Celsius in an open jeep.
What to Expect on a Rajaji Safari
The Rajaji forests have a character that shifts with the season and the time of day. In winter, the early morning slot begins in cold, misty light with the forest gradually waking up around you. In summer, the forest is dry and the wildlife concentrates around water sources, which actually makes sightings more predictable.
Elephants are seen on nearly every morning safari at Chilla, sometimes in large herds crossing the river or moving along the canal road. Deer (spotted deer, sambar) and wild boar are frequent throughout. Birds are exceptional at any time of year, and the Jhilmil zone in particular rewards patient birdwatchers.
Tiger and leopard sightings are possible but not guaranteed. Treat them as a wonderful bonus rather than the primary expectation, and you will enjoy the safari far more regardless of outcome. The Chilla morning slot gives the highest probability of a big-cat sighting.
Where to Stay for a Rajaji Safari from Haridwar
For most visitors, Haridwar is the practical base for a Rajaji safari since it has the widest range of accommodation and the best onward transport connections. The Chilla gate is 12 km from the city and about 25 minutes by road, making an early-morning departure entirely manageable from a Haridwar stay.
Baromas Retreat sits in Bahadrabad on Haridwar's quieter outskirts, on the Rishikesh-facing side of the city that points directly toward the Chilla and Motichur gates. That means you are already heading in the right direction when you set off for the forest. Comfortable, affordable rooms with easy parking and a calm setting make the early-morning safari start straightforward, and a full breakfast on your return is exactly what a three-and-a-half-hour forest drive calls for. For help choosing your base, see our guide on where to stay in Haridwar.
Planning your Rajaji safari from Haridwar? Book your stay directly with Baromas Retreat on WhatsApp at 7248557777 for a warm, comfortable welcome on the right side of the city for the forest.