Tadoba

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.