Gohri Jungle Safari in Uttarakhand — The Only Rajaji Zone Open All Year

Most of Rajaji National Park shuts down for monsoon every June, and doesn’t reopen until mid-November. Gohri is the exception. It’s the park’s only zone that runs safaris year-round, making it the answer for anyone who wants a Rajaji safari outside the usual Nov–June window.

Where Is Gohri Zone?

Gohri Range sits in the northeastern section of Rajaji, near Kotdwar in the Pauri Garhwal district — a bit further from Haridwar and Rishikesh than the more commonly visited zones, but easily reachable if you’re coming via Dehradun or the upper Garhwal route. Safaris typically start from the gate near Kotdwar town.

Why Gohri Is Worth the Detour

It’s genuinely a buffer zone, not a diluted experience. Gohri covers old-growth sal forest, open grasslands, riverine stretches, and mixed deciduous woodland — a real mix of habitats in one safari route, which is part of why its wildlife list is so varied.

The wildlife here is real. Tigers, leopards, elephants, sambar, nilgai, wild boar, and a strong bird list including kingfishers, hornbills, and eagles all show up in Gohri. It doesn’t get the visitor numbers of Chilla, but the sightings are just as genuine.

Leopard territory. Gohri’s mixed terrain — old sal forest edging into grassland — is particularly favorable for leopards, making it one of the stronger zones in the park if that’s specifically what you’re hoping to see.

A longer safari route. At roughly 30–36 km, the Gohri safari track runs longer than several other zones, giving you more time and more ground covered in a single trip — typically 2 to 2.5 hours inside the park.

A temple stop along the way. The Vindhyavasini Mata temple sits within the Gohri buffer zone, so if you’d like to combine a bit of spirituality with your wildlife safari, this is one of the few zones where that’s naturally part of the route — the safari track crosses a river several times by jeep en route.

When to Visit Gohri

This is Gohri’s real advantage: it’s open even when the rest of Rajaji closes for monsoon (mid-June to mid-November). If you’re traveling during monsoon season and still want a genuine jungle safari experience in Uttarakhand, Gohri is essentially your only option within Rajaji. Outside monsoon, it runs on the same general safari windows as the rest of the park — morning and afternoon slots.

Who Should Choose Gohri Over the Other Zones?

• Monsoon-season travelers who still want a safari when Chilla, Motichur, and the others are closed
• Leopard-focused visitors drawn to its mixed sal-and-grassland terrain
• Travelers coming via Dehradun or upper Garhwal, for whom Gohri is a more convenient approach than backtracking to Haridwar
• Anyone who wants a quieter, longer safari away from the more heavily booked zones

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FAQ

Is Gohri really open all year, including monsoon? Yes — Gohri Range is the only safari zone in Rajaji National Park that stays open throughout the year, including the monsoon months when the other zones close.

Where does the Gohri safari start? Near Kotdwar, in the Pauri Garhwal district, at the gate serving the Gohri buffer zone.

What animals can I expect to see in Gohri? Tigers, leopards, elephants, sambar, nilgai, wild boar, and a wide range of birds including kingfishers, hornbills, and eagles.

How long is the Gohri safari route? Around 30–36 km, with the safari itself typically lasting 2 to 2.5 hours.

Is Gohri better for leopards than other zones? Its mix of old sal forest and grassland makes it a particularly strong zone for leopard sightings, alongside its broader wildlife diversity.

Can I combine the Gohri safari with a temple visit? Yes — the Vindhyavasini Mata temple sits within the Gohri buffer zone and is a natural stop along the safari route.

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Planning a monsoon-season or off-peak visit to Rajaji? Visit Rajajisafari.com or call/WhatsApp +91 92591 21352 to check Gohri zone availability.