Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is located in Chandarpur district of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is considered to be the state’s largest and oldest National Park and is often termed as the Jewel of Vidharba. This park lies in the north eastern part of the state and is counted among the 41 National Park that India has. The park is bordered by the Chimur Hills, Kosla and Mohurli Range. The undulating landscape of the part comprises of valleys, mixed forests, river bed, grassy meadows and it provides the perfect environment for habitat of different species of flora and fauna.
Diverse flora and fauna
Tadoba tiger reserve has in store for its visitors a wide diversity of fauna that comprise of tigers, leopards, leopard cat, wild dog, jackal, sloth bear, spotted deer, sambar, Indian Bison, Barking Deer, Hyena and different species of reptiles. While visiting a tiger reserve, visitors generally anticipate on have a glance of the maximum number of tigers possible, during their tour. It was reported in the census conducted in 2012 that the core are of the park has 43 tigers, in the buffer zone there are 22 of them and another 35 tigers in the surrounding areas of the park.
Best time to visit
If you are planning to visit the tadoba tiger reserve and have a glimpse of these big cats, then the best time of the year is in between March and May. It is summer in India then, and the mercury level soars high in these months. You can spot the animals easily near the water sources as the vegetation is scarce then. Again, you can visit the park from November to February. Then the temperature during these months is in between 25 to 35 degree Celsius. During the monsoon, in the month of June butt due to thick vegetation, it becomes difficult to spot animals. Unlike many other national parks, Tadoba is open throughout the year. It is advisable to visit the park in the early mornings and in the late afternoons.
Travel and accommodation
For safaris, you can hire open top gypsies, or you can also enjoy elephant rides inside the park. It is mandatory to have a guide in every vehicle when in the reserve. You need to plan your trip well in advance, the safari bookings are done minimum a month ahead. You can find a plethora of accommodation in and around the park. You can opt for guesthouse, dormitories, resorts, bush camp, attractive suites that will be well within your budget. There are both government owned property and privately owned properties that accommodate visitors.
Main attraction of the park
Until lately, this park did not receive visitors as such, but, in the last couple of years, visitors flocking to Tadoba tiger reserve have increased. While planning your trip make sure that you visit Panchdhara waterhole, Vasant Bhandara waterhole and the waterholes around Tadoba lake and Jaminbadi. Few of the major attractions of the park are the leopards, hyenas, jackal, and wild dogs. You can encounter herds of chital and sambar, barking deer, chevrotain, common langur, flying squirrel. Reptiles are must see of this park. Crocodile, Indian python, Russel’s viper, Star tortoises can be spotted during this safari. You can even see hunting spiders, signature spider, wood spider and other varieties of spiders. There are 74 species of butterflies and 195 species of birds, including different endangered ones.
Reaching the park is easy, and the nearest international airport is in Nagpur, which is 205 kilometers from Chandrapur. You can also avail train to reach the park, but for that you need to get down at Chandrapur only. It is only 45 kilometer from the park. Keeping this information in consideration, you can easily plan your trip.
Author Bio: Max Brown is an avid traveller. He has travelled at length in the different national parks in the Indian subcontinent and across. He has written travelogues on Tadoba tiger reserve.