The park has been home to an incredibly large and diverse variety of animals, birds and insects, and has been sheltering life in the wild since the urbanization of Mumbai. And the best part is, you can have a first-hand experience of these splendorous sights of the forest.

Being greeted by small herds of Spotted Deer, a solitary Sambhar, a darting Barking deer or a Black naped hare running across your path are just some of the pleasant surprises within the National Park. But nothing can really match the absolute awe, fear and hair-standing-on-end feeling on being confronted by the majestic Leopard . The density of Leopard is one of the highest for any such wilderness, making this a very real possibility.

If you're really lucky, you may get a chance to make some rare sightings as well. Spotting the rather shy Porcupine or a Palm Civet which is hardly seen these days,or perhaps encountering a Hyena in mid-path can make it a memorable experience indeed. And if you see the elusive four horned antelope or the extremely bashful Mouse Deer, consider your day made.

The park is a tree lover's delight at all times of the year, with every changing season offering up its own distinctive beauty. The trees range from Adina Cardifolia (Kadamb), Albizia Lebek (Shrish), Pongamia Pianata (Karanj), Tectona Grandis (Teak), Dalbergia Latifolia (Sesum) to species of Acacia, Zizyphus and evergreen patches of Euphorbia. In the drier months from February to May, the truly spectacular flowering of Butea Monosperma (Flame of the Forest) that sets the scene on fire with its vibrant orange is a real feast for the eyes.The Bombax Malbaricum (Red silk cotton) and Erytherina Indica (Indian coral tree) in full bloom also add to the spectrum of shades.

Representing the monkey species are the Rhesus Macaque, which are an introduced species, the Bounet Macaque and the completely vegetarian Hanuman langur (leaf monkey)The Indian Flying Fox happens to be the biggest of the 17 bat species found in the park.

The National Park is known as a real Bird Watcher's Paradise. Did you know that the park is the nesting ground for 274 kinds of birds - that's almost a quarter of all bird species found in India. From the tiny Tickell's Flowerpecker (small Indian bird), many species of beautiful Sunbirds (old word equivalent of the Humming birds) the Paradise Flycatcher, and the elusive Trogon to the majestic White Bellied Sea Eagle, several kinds of
Kingfishers, Woodpeckers and Drongos;the forest is truly a visual feast of feathered friends. From the moment you enter the forest, nature's symphony welcomes you with its many unique sounds. The continuous calling of the large Green Barbet, the wildly screeching Parakeets,the metallic calls of the Racket-trailed Drongo and the musical call of the Blue flycatcher . The extremely melodious song of the Malabar Whistling Thrush or the familiar refrain of the Spotted Babler are just a few of the sounds that will be sweet music to your ears.

The reptilian world has 38 species to show off. From large Crocodiles in the Tulsi lake and Monitor lizards to Pythons, Cobras, Russels' viper, Bamboo pit viper and the extremely rare Ceylonese Cat Snake recently discovered by the staff of the Bombay National History Society, smaller reptiles also add to the wonder of this park.

The invertebrate world has a wide representation - Crabs, Spiders and Insects of all kinds thrive within the green glades of the park. The Giant Wood Spider, Signature Spiders, Black Wood Spiders with their large net-like webs in monsoon are a fascinating treat. The insect world has nearly 8000 species of creepy crawlies, ranging from Silk Cotton Bugs to Beetles to various kinds of Mantis and a whole lot more.

Last, but certainly not the least, are the 150 species of beautiful winged creatures that represent the amazing butterfly world. A delightful variety of sizes and colours, from the spectacular Blue Mormon to the phenomenal artist of camouflage the Blue Oak Leaf, the bright Jezebels and large yellow, white and orange tipped Monarch . Egg Flies and Sailers are but a few of the many breathtaking butterflies you can find flitting around here.