SGNP is one of the few proper jungles within city limits, and Mumbai is privileged to have this last remaining tract of unspoilt forest. Borivili East is the nearest suburban train station from where you can take a bus or auto to the main gate and then walk. Better if you have your own vehicle. Shortly after the main entrance is the Nature info centre and newly made butterfly garden, childrens play area, boating and the tiger and lion safari entrances. A trip much further down to the 2nd century Kanheri caves is also rewarding, you can get great views all the way to Nalasopara if you walk all the way to the top of the caves, and in the rains it is a mass of waterfalls. For those who want to see the jungle, take a walk past the old Mafco factory to the Silondha trail, you can walk as far as you can here passing 2 rivers (dry except in monsoons), you can easily spot deer and lots of birds, langurs, panthers if very lucky. Just before Kanheri near the rest houses, you can also walk along the Yeoor trail, this goes uphill to a temple Gaumukh. This trail is dense through bamboo thickets and mixed forest, lots of birds and insects, butterflies in season, huge spiders post monsoons and any other fauna you may be lucky to spot. Some seasonal waterfalls too. The trail comes out at the top of Kanheri caves, another bifurcation takes you to Yeoor in Thane. If you can manage to get permission from the Dy.CF, take the road going to Tulsi lake and walk along the culverts. Panthers are spotted here in the evenings. The Bhooth bungla trail near the old earthen dam is an excellent walk leading through mixed forests with guaranteed sightings of some kind of fauna, eventually ending up at an old crumbling stone bungalow built by the British engineer who oversaw the construction of the dams. From here you can see Tulsi, Vihar and Powai lakes. It is a very serene spot, which will be full of wild flowers post monsoons. Look out for crocs in the Tulsi and Vihar lakes. They usually make an appearance.
There is a Log Cabin overlooking the Tulsi lake which is usually reserved by politicians and other big wigs, but you can certainly have a look once you have got permission to enter the lakes road. Remember to pack your food and water as nothing is available within the park premises. Please also make it a point not to litter. This is the last remaining pristine area within Mumbai city, let us keep it that way. For those who are interested, you can also visit the Nagla block of SGNP which is after Ghodbunder Vasai creek at Sasunavghar on NH-8, there is a trail there that takes you past mangroves and mixed forests. Good for birdwatching. SGNP is good all year round, fascinating in the monsoons, best sightings in the dry season from Feb to May when the deciduous trees have shed their leaves, best butterflies from Sept to Dec. Even in April and May, it is atleast 5 degrees cooler than in the city. Tip: Use Odomos to ward off insect bites. Tip: Always carry a bamboo or stick, one - to help you walk the trails and two - to deter would be attackers of the human variety - there have been some incidents, usually against courting couples caught off guard. Dont forget your hat, binoculars and camera.