Discover Mohand Gate: Your Gateway to Rajaji National Park, home to some of the boldest Leopards

Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand offers stunning wildlife experiences, and Mohand Gate stands out as a prime entry point for thrilling jungle safaris. Nestled near Dehradun, this gate leads into biodiverse zones perfect for nature lovers and photographers.

The Rajaji National Park was established in 1983, Rajaji merged Chilla, Motichur, and Rajaji sanctuaries into an 820 sq km protected area, later expanding to a 1075 sq km Tiger Reserve in 2015. Named after C. Rajagopalachari, it safeguards elephant corridors and upper Gangetic Plains habitats.

The Ganga River bisects the park, creating diverse eastern and western zones rich in tropical moist-deciduous forests. There are five entry points to the park – Mohand, Chilla, Ranipur, Motichoor and Ramgarh.
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Why Mohand Gate?

In the last 4-5 years Mohand has gained popularity due to frequent sighting of leopards. The Mohand area currently has 15 leopards including brothers Heera and Panna, their father Sidhi, mother Laila and another leopard named Shiva.

While there are no female tigers in Mohand Range, the area is occasionally visited by a male tiger.

The Mohand gate safari route is about 20 kilometers long and has long stretches of ancient sal forest and riverbeds, which makes it more conducive for leopard spotting.
Dholkhand FRH is located 13 kms from the entry gate and crosses Chillawali range (not Chilla which is seperate) and Andheri rau.

Mohand Range is home to leopards, leopard cats, hyenas, and jackals. You may also see elephants, ghural, barking deer, chital, sambar, wild boar, Himalayan black bear, monitor lizard, and langur in this forest range. Apart from sal, the forest also includes cedar, oak, shesham, rohinia and rhododendron trees.

The Mohand Range or Chillawali Range, is home to many bird species. These include birds like Indian Gray Hornbill, Indian Peacock, Plum-headed Parrot, Crested Kingfisher, and White-capped Waterfowl. There are over 100 other bird species. It is common to see Redstart, Himalayan Bulbul, and other birds in the range.

The star attraction is undoubtedly the leopard, a majestic predator that’s notoriously elusive. Spotting one on a safari is a truly unforgettable experience.

Mohand Gate delivers raw wilderness—pack your gear and head out for unforgettable Himalayan foothills magic!

Source: www.rajajitigerreserve.co.in

Female leopard sipping water after a failed hunt of a chital deer

Shy male leopard near Dholkhand FRH deep inside the forest

Playful leopard cub at the river bank

Curious leopard cub intrigued by my long camera lens

Mother leopard

Wild Boar

India Eagle Owl

Nilgai

Serpent Eagle

Indian Cormorant

Indian Spotted Eagle

Indian Python Snake

Asian Woolly-necked Stork

Oriental Pied Hornbill in flight

Dholkhand FRH
Source: Google Earth

Practical Tips for Visitors

Book permits online via the official Rajaji site or at Mohand Gate on NH 72A. Safaris run mornings (6-10 AM) and afternoons (3-6 PM). Located 25 km from Dehradun, it’s reachable by road from Delhi. Carry binoculars, water, and lesser commercialized vibes make it perfect for photography.

Best Time to Visit

November to June is safari season, with winters (Nov-Feb) ideal for clear sightings and milder weather. Summers draw animals to waterholes which makes sightings more frequent.

Craving a glimpse of elusive snow leopards? Check out my thrilling post on my Kibber high-altitude winter expedition, rare sightings, and Himalayan magic!

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