About Tadoba National Park
Landscape
Located in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, this pristine, wild habitat is every nature lover’s dream come true. A quaint, beautiful jungle with hilly terrain and undulating landscape, Tadoba offers incredible tiger and wildlife sightings. Tadoba has gained immense popularity in recent years as the top park for tiger sightings and is one of India’s 47 project tiger reserves.
From expansive grasslands to thriving forested hills, bamboo grooves and glistening water bodies; a fascinating mosaic of an ecosystem comes together to sustain life in Tadoba’s Central Indian forests.
Spread across an expansive landscape of 625.4 Sq.km, Tadoba includes the Tadoba National Park, created in the year 1955. The Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary was formed in the year 1986 and was integrated with the park in 1995 to establish the present Tadoba -Andhari Tiger Reserve.
The park has three separate forest ranges which include: Tadoba North range, Kolsa South range and Mohrali range. The latter lies between the first two ranges.
Tadoba Tiger reserve is blessed with numerous life-giving water bodies. The Tadoba River flows through the park. Kolsa Lake, Telia Lake and Tadoba Lake are the prominent lakes among many others, which along with Tadoba River sustain and help the wildlife flourish.
History
Tadoba derives its name from the much venerated Gond deity, Taru.
Chandarpur had a stronghold of the Gond kings who ruled over most of Central India before being overthrown by the Marathas.
The legend goes that Taru, a village chieftain had a fierce encounter with a tiger, near the Tadoba lake. Opinions are divided on what ensued next. But it is believed that in this epic battle, Taru single-handedly killed the tiger. Some suggest Taru was killed by the tiger.
Thereafter, a shrine dedicated to Taru was erected on the banks of Tadoba Lake. Local tribes who follow Taru and claim to be his descendants assemble once a year to appease the deity.
The name Andhari originates from the Andhari River.
The region was predominately inhabited by Gond tribals whose descendants continue to live in the local villages.
Flora
A dry deciduous forest with mostly teak and bamboo vegetation, Tadoba has a mix of grasslands and dry forests. This kind of flora allows better visibility throughout the forest, ensuring excellent sightings.
The otherwise dry forest, boasts of a few lakes and rivers offering the park abundant water sources, helping flora and fauna thrive well.
The Tadoba Tiger Reserve is rich in flora. The meadows are also dotted with many medicinal climbers and plants. Some of the flora includes: Teak, Ain, Bija, Dhauda, Hald, Salai, Semal, Tendu, Beheda, Hirda, Karaya gum, Mahua Madhuca, Arjun, Bamboo, Black Plum, and many others.
Fauna
Though tigers are the star attraction, but a visit to the reserve opens up opportune moments to interact with other bustling wildlife.
The perennial Irai lake is a major tourist attraction offering a residential territory for a wild array of birds, freshwater crocodiles and attracting other wild animals. The Tadoba Lake also sustains a major part of the park’s wildlife.
The mammals of the forest include Indian Leopards, Tigers, Sloth Bears, Striped Hyenas, Indian Bison, the rare Four-Horned Antelope, and Barking Deer, Sambars, Nilgai, Dholes/Wild Dogs, etc.
The reptiles include the endangered Indian python, Star Tortoise, Indian Cobra, Monitor lizards, Russel viper, Rock Agama, March Crocodile, Brook’s Gecko, etc.
Tadoba is every ardent birder’s dream come true. The water bodies attract a wide variety of avian populations. There are over 195 species of birds including three endangered species. These include the grey-headed fish eagle, the crested serpent eagle, and the changeable hawk-eagle.
Some of the other species include orange-headed thrush, Indian pitta, crested tree swift, stone curlew, bronze-winged jacana, paradise flycatcher, lesser golden-backed woodpecker, crested honey buzzard, various warblers, black-naped blue flycatcher and the Indian peafowl.
Top 5 Things to Do in Tadoba
1. Jeep Safari for Tiger and Wildlife sighting:
A jeep safari is the most impressive way to experience nature and wildlife at its natural best. It offers ideal opportunities to sight the elusive tigers, leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears and plenty of other fauna that abound in this forest.
Tadoba Tiger Reserve offers jeep safaris and can be accessed via: Moharli gate, Khutwanda gate and Kolara gate.
The other gates are NaveGoan, Pangdi and Zari.
The timings for jeep safari vary from summer to winter and are mentioned below.
| Period | Morning | Afternoon | ||
| Entry | Exit | Entry | Exit | |
| 1st Oct to 30th Nov | 6 AM – 8 AM | 10:00 AM | 2.30 PM – 4 PM | 6.30 PM |
| 1st Dec to 28th / 29th Feb | 6.30 AM – 8.30 AM | 11:00 AM | 2 PM – 3.30 PM | 6:00 PM |
| 1st Mar to 30th April | 5.30 AM – 7.30 AM | 10:00 AM | 3 PM – 4.30 PM | 6.30 PM |
| 1st May – 30thJune | 5 AM – 7 AM | 9.30 AM | 3.30 PM – 5 PM | 7:00 PM |
Booking can be made at the Maharashtra Tourism site.
2. Boat Ride in Irai lake:
Boating facility on the backwaters of Irai lake, is offered by the forest department. This is an ideal activity for birders and photographers. Some of the birds that can be seen are Crested Poachard, Grey Heron, Stork Billed Kingfisher, and Cotton Goose and many others.
There are many migratory birds that also arrive at this lake.
Boat ride Timing: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Boating is closed in the monsoons (July – October end)
3. Birds Around the Lakes
Tadoba Lake and River and the Kolsa River wind their ways through the reserve. The rivers and lakes of Tadoba are the hot spots for bird watching.
You could find a wide array of birds by the water bodies. Tadoba Lake is a favorite haunt for raptors like White-eyed buzzards, Oriental honey buzzards and also paradise flycatchers, Indian rollers, Indian pitta, etc. Don’t be surprised if you spot a crocodile or two, while the deers gambol on the fringes of the river with langurs and wild dogs for company.
Tadoba lake can be accessed from the core gates and Irai can be accessed from buffer zone safari. Irai lake can also be reached from outside the park and one can enjoy walks around the lake.
4. Visit to Ramdegi
Ramdegi is a charming rural set up in the Chimur Taluk of Chandrapur. An idyllic countryside drives through lush, green fields on either side, transports you to the peaceful haven that is Ramdegi.
A temple dedicated to Lord Rama stands serenely, near the Ramdegi forest.
There is also a fascinating Buddha sculpture by a banyan tree, some 400 steps away, at Ramdegi.
Ramdegi is also a great habitat for sloth bears and a good population live around the area.
The temple pujari (priests) have many tales to share about the bears and other wildlife who slink into the premises in the dark cover of the night.
Ramdegi is a day drive well spent with friends and family, and an ideal outing when you carry your picnic basket along.
5. Visit to Sevagram, Gandhiji’s Ashram:
Sevagram is a township, located 8 kms from Wardha. The ashram was set up by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi here, in the outskirts of the village. This became his home and residence from 1938 till his death in 1948.
There is a museum here that preserves artifacts from India’s freedom struggle. A disciple of Gandhiji, Seth Jamnalal Bajaj donated about 300 acres of land to the ashram. A picturesque location that brings forth memories from India’s freedom struggle, this is interesting day trip.
Sevagram is about 2 hours drive from Tadoba, depending on which gate you are staying at. This visit can be also made when traveling back and forth from Nagpur, as it’s a small detour from the highway.
6. Saoji Cuisine
A niche cuisine from the Vidarbha region in Maharashtra has gained popularity called the Saoji cuisine.
Primarily known for its non-vegetarian dishes, Saoji style of food is from a community of weavers known as Halba Koshtis, who had migrated to Nagpur from Madhya Pradesh. These people set up small eateries around Nagpur to showcase their fiercely spicy food. Though with its popularity the spice levels have been tempered down.
The masala used is an amalgamation of wet and dry, with over twenty-four ingredients. The proportion in which they are used provides the balance to the dish. Each family running a Saoji eatery brings in their own twist to the recipe.
There are number of outlets selling Soaji cuisine lined across the way to the park. Though guests who are not fond of spicy food should avoid this fiery cuisine.
How to Get to Tadoba –
By Road:
Tadoba is a 2-1/2 to 3 1/2 hours scenic drive from Nagpur depending on the gate.
Khutwanda, Kolara, Moharali are among the closest from Nagpur.
Kolsa/Zari are further away.
It’s an excellent drive on NH 930 for a major part of the distance, and from there one takes a diversion further to the gates.
Tadoba is also well connected by road from Hyderabad and takes about 8 hours, via NH 44.
By Air:
Nagpur is a well-connected airport with daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune and other major cities of India.
Nagpur also serves as an international airport and has flights coming from the Middle East.
By Rail:
Chandrapur and Wardha are the closest railway stations, but Nagpur is the most convenient railway station when traveling from North India.
There are also several trains from Hyderabad to Chandrapur as well.
Accommodation in Tadoba
Waghoba Eco Lodge, by Pugdundee Safaris, is presently under construction and scheduled to open mid- 2020.
This lodge will set new standards in eco-friendly construction with its sun-dried adobe bricks and Guna vault roofs.
Waghoba Ec-Lodge will have 16 exclusive luxury cottages done in hand made bricks and local stone.
The lodge will also have a swimming pool, organic vegetable & herb garden, nature library, and a lounge.
The lodge is under 15 minutes drive from Khutwanda gate of Tadoba and about 30 minutes from Moharli gate.
How to Book a Tiger Safari in Tadoba
Call our trip curators at Pugdundee Safaris and we are happy to assist you with your bookings.
Call us at: +91-9718637711, +91-8800637711
Email: [email protected]
Written By: Natasha Sinha
Photographs: Mayuresh Joshi (Naturalist in Kings Lodge, Bandhavgarh),
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