Mohand Safari Zone
Chillawali's quiet leopard road
Also known as the Chillawali range, Mohand sits on Rajaji's Dehradun side — a long, unhurried forest road through sal and mixed woodland where leopards are seen more often, in fewer crowds, than almost anywhere else in the park.
Plan your safari → See timings ↓Rajaji's calmest zone, and its best-kept leopard secret
Mohand — locally called the Chillawali range, after the gate near Chillawali town — sits on the Dehradun side of Rajaji, off the Saharanpur–Dehradun highway. It's the least crowded of the park's main zones, with gentle terrain, sal and shisham forest, and a safari road long enough that multiple leopard sightings in a single visit aren't unusual.
Two gates a day, shifting with the season
Gate office opens 20–30 minutes before each slot for permit checks. Mohand runs standard jeep (Gypsy) and larger canter safaris — the elephant-back safari remains a Chilla-only option.
Jeep Safari — AM
Jeep Safari — PM
Leopard Watch
Park closure: Rajaji closes for monsoon from 15 June to 14 November every year. Exact opening/closing dates can shift by a day or two — always confirm with the Forest Department before travelling.
What a Mohand safari typically costs
Jeep safari charges are broadly set park-wide. Indicative rates only — confirm exact figures on the official portal or at the Mohand gate office before you book.
| Charge | Indian visitor | Foreign visitor |
|---|---|---|
| Entry fee (per person) | ₹150 – 200 | ₹600 – 800 |
| Gypsy / jeep hire (per vehicle) | ₹2,500 – 3,500 | ₹4,500 |
| Canter (up to 20 seats) | on request | on request |
| Vehicle entry fee | ₹250 – 300 | ₹500 |
| Guide fee | ₹800 – 1,000 | ₹800 – 1,000 |
| Camera permit (DSLR/mirrorless) | ₹200 | ₹500 |
| Child (5–12 yrs) entry | ₹75 | ₹300 |
Tip: Mohand rarely sells out — walk-in booking at the gate is possible on most days, making it a reliable backup if Chilla or Motichur slots are full.
Who you're likely to meet on the Chillawali road
Leopard
Mohand's star attraction — three to four sightings on one visit isn't unusual if you allow enough time on the road.
Very high chanceHimalayan Black Bear
An occasional but real sighting in the denser, higher patches of forest toward the Shivalik edge.
RareAsian Elephant & Tiger
Both move through Mohand occasionally — less predictable than Chilla, but genuine sightings do happen here.
OccasionalSambar & Barking Deer
Regular sightings along the forest road, sharing the mixed sal and shisham woodland with troops of langur.
Very high chanceLangur
Troops are a near-constant companion along the drive, often the first sign of a predator nearby.
Very high chanceBirdlife
100+ recorded species, including Indian grey hornbill, peacock, plum-headed parakeet and crested kingfisher — a favourite with birders.
High chanceEverything in Mohand happens along one long, quiet road
At roughly 35 km, the Chillawali forest road is one of the longest single safari routes in Rajaji — and one of the least travelled. Where Chilla's canal and Ranipur's walls concentrate sightings at fixed points, Mohand's length is the advantage: more distance, fewer jeeps, more time for the forest to reveal itself.
- Low trafficFar fewer Gypsies share this route than Chilla or Motichur, so animals settle closer to the road.
- Multiple sightingsThe road's length is exactly why 3–4 separate leopard sightings in one visit are realistic here.
- Gentle terrainShorter, easier forest-road sections make this the most comfortable zone for families and first-timers.
- Mixed woodlandSal, shisham and rohini forest with open meadow clearings give long, easy sightlines.
- Bird corridorThe transition toward higher ground draws species you won't find in Rajaji's lower, riverine zones.
- Walk-in friendlyUnlike Chilla, Mohand is rarely sold out — spontaneous visits usually still get a slot.
Getting to the Mohand / Chillawali gate
From Dehradun
The natural gateway for Dehradun-based visitors, reached via the Dehradun–Saharanpur highway (NH-58), close to the Asan Barrage.
Saharanpur Highway
Mohand sits directly on the Saharanpur–Dehradun road, making it an easy stop for travellers moving between Uttarakhand and western UP.
From Haridwar
Noticeably further than Chilla, Motichur or Ranipur — best planned as a Dehradun-side excursion rather than a Haridwar day trip.
Rules that keep the forest calm
Do
- Carry a valid photo ID and your booking confirmation
- Wear muted, forest-toned clothing
- Keep your voice low and stay seated in the vehicle
- Follow the naturalist's instructions at all times
- Carry your camera/video permit if using one
Don't
- Use flash photography near animals
- Feed or attempt to approach wildlife
- Play music or make loud noises
- Litter or carry plastic bottles into the zone
- Step out of the vehicle inside the safari zone
Plan your visit
Pick a slot
Either slot works well here — allow 3 hours if leopard sightings are your priority.
Booking is flexible
Mohand rarely fills up — advance booking helps on weekends, but walk-in at the gate usually works on weekdays.
Choose your vehicle
Gypsy for a small group, or a canter (up to 20 seats) if you're travelling as a larger family or group.
Arrive early
Reach the Mohand gate at least 20–30 minutes before your slot for permit verification.
Yes — Mohand Range and Chillawali Range refer to the same safari zone, named after the gate near Chillawali town on the Dehradun–Saharanpur highway.
Yes — the gentler terrain, low crowds and frequent, easy sightings (deer, langur, peacocks) near the gate make it one of the more comfortable zones for children and first-time visitors.
Chilla is stronger for elephants and general density; Ranipur and Motichur lean toward hillier leopard terrain near Haridwar. Mohand trades some of that density for a longer, quieter road and very reliable leopard activity.
Usually not. Unlike Chilla, Mohand's slots rarely sell out — a day or two's notice is normally enough outside major holidays.