Legend holds that Taru was a village chief
who was killed in a mythological encounter with a tiger. A shrine dedicated to
the God Taru now exists beneath a huge tree, on the banks of the Tadoba Lake.
The temple is frequented by adivasis, especially during the fair held every
year in the Hindu month of Pausha, between December and January.
Created in 1955, Tadoba National Park is
the largest and oldest in Maharastra -- and, although it's growing in
popularity, still remains quite off the beaten track. Dominated by teak and
bamboo, and with a magical landscape of rugged cliffs, marshes, and lakes, it's
full of diverse wildlife and was once favored by shikaras (hunters). Together
with the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary, which was formed in 1986, it makes up the
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve.
If you want to see tigers in the wild in
India, forget Bandhavgarh and Ranthambore. At this 625.40 square kilometer
reserve, it's commonly not a matter of whether you'll see a tiger, but rather
how many. The most recent census, carried out in 2012, found that the core area
has 43 tigers. There are another 22 tigers in the buffer area, and a further 35
in the area surrounding the park. In northeast Maharastra, Tadoba is situated around 140 kilometers
south of Nagpur and 40 kilometers north of Chandrapur. Most people arrive via
Chandrapur, where the closest railway station is. It's also a major connecting
point for travellers coming from Nagpur (around three hours away), which has the
nearest airport and more frequent trains.
When to Visit
Tadoba:
The best time to
see tigers is during the hotter months, from March to May (although summer
temperatures are extreme, especially in May). The monsoon season is from June
to September, post monsoon (which is also hot) is from October to November.
December to February is winter, although temperatures still remain quite warm
as the climate there is tropical. Vegetation and insect life come alive with
the onset of the monsoon in mid June. However, the growth in foliage can make
it difficult to spot animals.
Tadoba Opening
Hours:
The reserve is
open daily except Tuesdays for safaris. Morning safaris operate from 6.00 a.m
to 10.00 a.m. (entry allowed until 8.00 a.m.), and afternoon safaris from 3.00
p.m. until 6.00 p.m (entry allowed until 4.30 p.m.).
All entrance gates,
except for the Moharli gate, are closed for the monsoon season during
July-September. A limited number of vehicles are allowed to enter via Moharli
during the monsoon, but they must stay on the main road that runs through the
reserve from Moharli to Tadoba. Vehicles aren't permitted to visit any
waterholes inside the reserve during this time.
Tadoba Travel
Tips:
The reserve has
three zones -- Moharli, Tadoba, and Kolsa -- with numerous entry gates. Moharli
and Kolsa are part of the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. Mohali gate, in Mohali
village, provides entry to the Mohali zone. It's the reserve's most commercial
entrance point, due to its proximity to Chandrapur, and is where the bulk of
accommodations and tourist facilities (including wildlife interpretation
centre, safari vehicles, and forest guides) can be found. It also provides
convenient access to picturesque and quieter Kolsa zone, at the far eastern of
the park (this zone's other entry gates are Pangdi and Zari).
Taboba, in the
reserve's north, covers the Chimur Hills. At its middle is Tadoba Lake, a
crucial water source for the region. This zone's three entry gates are at
Kolara (provides good access from Nagpur, and is being developed), Navegaon
(also provides good access from Nagpur, although accommodations are lacking),
and Khutwanda (nearest to Warora and Mohali).
It's important to
plan your trip well in advance, as the reserve has only recently found a place
on the tourist map and the number of places to stay is very limited. The number
of safaris is also restricted, and it's best to hire a reputed guide (rather
than one at random) to ensure optimal wildlife sightings. Ideally, it's
recommended that you go on three to four safaris to fully see the park. 
