Field Report
Uttarakhandby Amit KushwahaLogged 26/9/2026
General area / driveClearMid rangeDefinite sightingMiddayWater visible nearby
About this location
A national park and tiger reserve in the Shivalik and lesser Himalayan foothills near Haridwar, protecting the important elephant, tiger, and leopard corridor from Corbett to Himachal Pradesh. Excellent for elephant photography in the doon valley grasslands and a key transit point for wildlife on the Ganga plain.
Species You Can Photograph in Rajaji National Park
Best season guide
Peak photography conditions typically align with Jan–Dec. Add buffer days for weather and park closures.
JanExcellent
FebExcellent
MarExcellent
AprExcellent
MayGood
JunOff-season
JulOff-season
AugOff-season
SepOff-season
OctGood
NovExcellent
DecExcellent
Safari Zones
Rajaji has several separate safari zones around Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun, each entered from its own gate. Chilla is the largest and most popular, with a 36 km circuit through sal forest, grassland and the Ganga riverbed. The main zones open on 15 November and close on 15 June each year.
Safari Zone
| Zone | Entry gate |
|---|---|
| Chilla | Chilla Gate (Haridwar) |
| Motichur | Motichur Gate (Haridwar) |
| Ranipur | Ranipur Gate (Haridwar) |
| Jhilmil Jheel | Jhilmil (Haridwar) |
| Mohand | Mohand (Dehradun side) |
| Asarori | Asarori (Dehradun side) |
How to Reach
- Nearest airport
- Dehradun (Jolly Grant) Airport (~30 km)
- Nearest railway station
- Haridwar (~10 km)
By Air
Dehradun (Jolly Grant) Airport is the nearest airport, about 30 km away. Continue by taxi or pre-booked cab.
By Rail
Haridwar is the nearest railway station, about 10 km away. Taxis and autos cover the last stretch.
By Road
Chilla and Motichur are 9–12 km from Haridwar; Ranipur and Jhilmil are about 15 km. Mohand and Asarori are on the Dehradun side off the Delhi–Dehradun highway. Rishikesh is ~20 km from Chilla.
Expert Wildlife Creators in Rajaji National Park
Mammals
Girish Chandra Satyawali
Uttarakhand, India
CORBETT TIGER RESERVE Safari & FRH Tour Operator | Registered Gypsy Owner Based in Ramnagar, Uttarakhand, with 47 years of experience in Corbett National Park and its wildlife tourism. Focused exclusively on Safari, FRH stays & the Wild, with registered Gypsies, well-mannered drivers and knowledgeable motorist/naturalist guides. No private properties. No resort packages. Just the Wild.
Asian ElephantAsian Paradise FlycatcherGharial
Safari Guide
Veeru Negi
Uttarakhand, India
Veeru Negi is a naturalist based in Rajaji National Park with over 10 years of experience in the field. Known for his deep expertise in leopard and elephant behaviour, he leads jungle safaris, leopard photography tours, and bird photography tours, helping guests spot and understand wildlife that's often hard to find on your own.
Indian LeopardAsian ElephantBengal Tiger
Available trips
No listed trips here yet
No trips are currently targeting Rajaji National Park. Browse every active trip, or message a local creator directly to ask about planning one.
Recent Wildlife Sightings
Species reported at this location
Field Report
Uttarakhandby Amit KushwahaLogged 26/9/2026
Vehicle safariClearDistant (e.g. binoculars)Definite sightingLate afternoonForest edge
Field Report
Uttarakhandby Amit KushwahaLogged 26/9/2026
Vehicle safariClearMid rangeDefinite sightingEarly morningOpen habitat
Field Report
Uttarakhandby Amit KushwahaLogged 12/5/2026
Vehicle safariLow light (dawn/dusk/night)Mid rangeDefinite sightingEarly morningLate afternoonOpen habitat
Photography tips for Rajaji National Park
Reach the gate before opening light; many species move along edges of forest, meadows, or water at dawn. Use a long lens with a bean bag or gimbal head on shared vehicles, and keep spare batteries warm in cold destinations like high Himalaya.
Respect buffer zones and guide instructions — ethical positioning keeps stress off animals and often yields cleaner frames. Review your images in the field to adjust exposure for harsh midday sun versus misty mornings typical of Uttarakhand.
More in Uttarakhand
- Asan Conservation Reserve
- Askot Wildlife Sanctuary
- Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Corbett Tiger Reserve
- Gangotri National Park
- Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Jim Corbett National Park
- Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary
- Nanda Devi National Park
- Rajaji Tiger Reserve
- Sattal
- Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary
- Valley of Flowers National Park