10 Famous Wildlife Safaris to Visit in Mumbai: Updated List of 2025

You’re in Mumbai, hustle-bustle all around, and suddenly, someone says, “Let’s hit the wild!” Sound crazy? Not at all. Mumbai’s surrounded by a bunch of wildlife escapes — from tropical jungle trails to secret birding spots. Honestly, it doesn’t matter if you’re a die-hard wildlife enthusiast or just someone looking to swap “traffic jam” for “peacock call.” Let’s dive into the best wild safaris Mumbai offers, based on real experience, solid data, and a dash of personal quirk.

Why Explore Wildlife Safaris Near Mumbai?

Most folks think Mumbai’s “all business.” Truth? It’s a wild blend: urban towers one side, dense greenery the other. What’s cooler is you don’t need a cross-country road trip for a real wildlife adventure. Within a couple of hours, you’re in tiger country, bird paradise, or a forest filled with giant squirrels. Yep, squirrels the size of…well, small dogs.

10 Breathtaking Wildlife Sanctuaries Around Mumbai

1. Sanjay Gandhi National Park — The City’s Wild Heart

First-hand take: You can literally hop on a local train and be trekking out for leopards by lunch. SGNP is perfect for spontaneous wildlife plans.

• Location: Borivali
• Wildlife: Leopards (if luck’s on your side), spotted deer, barking deer, crocs, pythons, butterflies, and, sometimes, a Royal Bengal Tiger.
• Experience: Choose between trails like Shilonda, Kanheri, Highest Point, and the famous Lion & Tiger Safari.
• Entry Fee: Adults Rs. 30, Kids Rs. 15, Safari Rs. 50 extra.
• Best Time: October through April, which is cooler and (mostly) dry.
• Tip: Bring snacks—there’s food stalls but long walks make you hungry. Carry mosquito repellent, especially after monsoon.

2. Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary — Squirrel City and Old Forts

Ever seen a giant squirrel glide across branches? This place protects ‘em. You’ll spot langurs, hyenas, black eagles, Malabar whistling thrush, and — if you’re lucky — leopards.

• Highlights: It’s a biodiversity hotspot, and the trails lead to ancient forts like Shivneri and Siddhagad.
• Best Time: October to March.
• Entry Fee: Usually around Rs. 20–50 for Indians; ask for exact numbers at the gate.
• Insider Advice: Wear good shoes; fort treks can get slippery. Don’t skip local guides — their tales are half the fun.

3. Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary — The Quiet Escape

• Location: Around 140km from Mumbai, near Alibag.
• Wildlife: Barking deer, Indian gaurs, leopards, sambars, beautiful butterflies, and those rare Bombay earth snakes.
• Experience: Walk the trails around Chikhalgaan and Phansadgaan water holes.
• Entry Fee: Nominal (usually < Rs. 50).
• Best Time: November to March.
• Pro Tip: Perfect for shutterbugs. Early mornings = magical mist shots.

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4. Karnala Bird Sanctuary — Bird-Watcher’s Paradise

Not into tigers? Come for the birds.

• Location: On the way to Goa (that’s right, pitstop for the win).
• Wildlife: Rare pigeons, Malabar larks, woodpeckers, hornbills — even the elusive Nilgiri woodpigeon.
• Entry Fee: Rs. 50–100.
• Experience: Grab binoculars and join birding walks. Karnala Fort trek is a bonus.
• Best Season: October to March.
• Fun Fact: Monsoon brings more colors but less visibility!

5. Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary — Tough Terrain, Big Beasts

Wild and absolutely worth it.

• Location: On the northern end of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.
• Wildlife: Royal Bengal Tigers, leopards, langurs, sloth bears, otters — it’s a full house.
• Experience: The tough terrain means fewer crowds. Great for real “wild” feels.
• Entry Fee: ~Rs. 30-100.
• Best Time: October to May.
• Good To Know: Closest airport is Pune; plan ahead for transport.

6. Sahyadri Tiger Reserve — The Real Big Cats

For the ambitious ones who want real tiger territory.

• Wildlife: Bengal Tigers, leopards, and the rest.
• Core area: 600 km², buffer: 565 km².
• Entry Fee: ~Rs. 100 onwards.
• Season: March–May for tigers (but it gets HOT); Oct–Feb is comfier for people.
• Hot Take: Drink water like a camel, wear light clothes (think beige, olive).

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7. Chandoli National Park — For Bird Nerds & Bear Buffs

• Location: Borders four districts: Satara, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri, Sangli.
• Wildlife: Sloth bears, bison, leopards, tigers, plus 20+ species of birds.
• Entry Fee: Rs. 30–50.
• Best Time: November to April.
• Random Tip: Early mornings = prime bird sightings.

8. Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary — For Rarity Seekers

• Experience: See the nearly extinct Great Indian Bustard. Landscape is semi-arid, stony—unusual for Maharashtra.
• Other Wildlife: Bush larks, shrikes, buzzards.
• Entry Fee: Rs. 20–50 (double-check at gate).
• Best Season: Winter (cool, less stress for birds).

9. Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary — The “Bison Land”

Go just for the bison — and stay for the serene hills.

• Location: Border of Sindhudurg & Kolhapur.
• Wildlife: Indian bison (gaur), chital, wild deer.
• Entry Fee: Rs. 20–30.
• Best Time: Post-monsoon (Oct–Feb).
• Advice: Road’s bumpy, but that’s half the fun.

10. Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary — Man-Made, but Wild

This one’s unusual: a forest created by people, filled with deer, peacocks, boars, foxes, and pythons.

• Location: Sangli district.
• Entry Fee: Rs. 20–50.
• Quirk: No natural water source — all the wildlife here is imported, in a way!
• Why go: Shows how conservation works in real time.

Real-World Tips for Mumbai Wildlife Safaris

• Book Ahead: Especially for weekends and holidays.
• Wear Earthy Colors: You don’t wanna stand out more than the animals!
• Stay Hydrated: Bring your water bottles — the heat sneaks up on you.
• Mosquito Repellent: Non-negotiable during and after the rains.
• Local Guides: Goldmine of stories and wildlife knowledge.
• Photography: Mornings, after sunrise — best light, most activity.

Next Steps: Choose Your Safari, Pack Up, Go Wild

Nature’s practically on Mumbai’s doorstep. Whether you’re after a tiger, a birding walk, or a surprise squirrel sighting, these safaris guarantee fresh air, new tales, and the sort of un-Instagrammed moments you actually remember. So, grab your camera, toss in an energy bar, and go trade “car horns” for “wild ones.”

And hey, if you bump into a giant squirrel, tell it I said hi.

FAQ: Mumbai Wildlife Safaris