National park · India
Karnala Bird Sanctuary
Enter Karnala Bird Sanctuary for ₹50 per person, hike the easy 2 km (1.2 mi) trail in the morning; best months Oct–Apr, avoid monsoon Jun–Aug.Enter Karnala Bird Sanctuary for ₹50 per person, hike the easy 1.2 mi (2 km) trail in the morning; best months Oct–Apr, avoid monsoon Jun–Aug.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²)
approximate
Established
1900
Best months
Apr, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²)
- Approx. 4.8 km² (check)
- Established
- 1900
- Best months
- Apr, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Karnala Bird Sanctuary, in Raigad district of Maharashtra, is a small protected forest area about 50 km north of Mumbai. It hosts over 150 resident bird species and many migrants, and offers two trekking routes to Karnala Fort.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1900.
Size and age
5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²) · national park since 1900
Approx. 4.8 km² (check)
Why go
- Birdwatching hotspot with over 150 resident species and many migrants.
- Two trekking routes to Karnala Fort with forest views.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, clear skies
- FebMild, good bird activity
- MarEarly migrants arrive
- AprPeak migrant season
- MayPre‑monsoon heat
- JunHeavy monsoon rains
- JulMonsoon
- AugMonsoon
- SepRain recedes, some trails muddy
- OctMigrants return, dry
- NovCool, dry
- DecCool, clear
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident birds (e.g., Malabar whistling thrush, Indian robin)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Winter migrants (e.g., Blackbird, Blue‑headed rock‑thrush)Oct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Four‑horned antelope, wild boar, langurAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Mumbai
Drive north on NH-17 (Mumbai‑Goa Highway), 60 km (37 mi), ~2 h; taxi or private car.Drive north on NH-17 (Mumbai‑Goa Highway), 37 mi (60 km), ~2 h; taxi or private car.
2 h
Open the page →
From Panvel railway station
Local train to Panvel, then auto‑rickshaw or bus to sanctuary entrance (12 km (7.5 mi)).Local train to Panvel, then auto‑rickshaw or bus to sanctuary entrance (7.5 mi (12 km)).
1 h total
From Mumbai Central bus station
MSRTC bus to Karnala (via Panvel), alight at sanctuary entrance.
2 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance area | Ticket office, basic refreshments, parking. | Open to all visitors |
| Easy trail | 2 km (1.2 mi) marked path to Karnala Fort, suitable for beginners.1.2 mi (2 km) marked path to Karnala Fort, suitable for beginners. | Open, no guide required |
| Difficult trail | Steeper, rocky route to the fort for experienced trekkers. | Open, caution advised |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate for main features; based on Wikidata centre point.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanctuary entry | INR 50 (≈ under US$1) | person | Check at gate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Sanctuary entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the sanctuary.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking areas only.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.
- Pets
- Dogs not permitted on trails.
Where to stay
Near the park
Navi Mumbai hotels
Range of budget to mid‑range hotels, 30 km (19 mi) from sanctuary.Range of budget to mid‑range hotels, 19 mi (30 km) from sanctuary.
Near the park
Panvel guesthouses
Affordable options within 10 km (6.2 mi).Affordable options within 6.2 mi (10 km).
Safety
Wild animal encounters medium
Slippery rocks during monsoon high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Easy trail is suitable for most walkers; steep sections may be difficult for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Take all waste with you; support local guides who follow eco‑friendly practices.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Karnala Bird Sanctuary?
Entry is ₹50 per person at the gate (check for any recent changes).
What are the best hikes in Karnala Bird Sanctuary?
The easy 2 km trail to Karnala Fort is suitable for most visitors; the more challenging steep trail offers a longer trek for experienced hikers.
When is the best time to visit Karnala Bird Sanctuary?
October to April gives good weather and peak bird migration; avoid June‑August monsoon.
Can I camp inside the sanctuary?
No, camping is prohibited; stay in nearby towns.
Is the sanctuary accessible by public transport from Mumbai?
Yes, you can take a train to Panvel and then an auto‑rickshaw or bus, or a direct MSRTC bus from Mumbai Central.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go