TRAVEL AND HOLIDAY...TADOBA - ANDHARI TIGER RESERVE... road trip all alone in my Indica. She did not let me down as always….

TADOBA - ANDHARI TIGER RESERVE

Often referred to as "The Jewel of Vidharba", the Tadoba National Park lies in the district of Chandrapur in the north-eastern part of Maharashtra, India.
Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve  Chandrapur District, Maharashtra, India. It includes Tadoba National Park and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. Maharashtra's oldest National Park created in 1955, the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is also one of India's 28 “Project Tiger” Reserves. 

The National  Park is 623 km² in area, consisting of two forested rectangles of the Tadoba and Andhari range. 

Along with more than 50 tigers, Tadoba Tiger Reserve is a home for rare Indian wildlife such as Leopards, Sloth Bears, Gaur, Nilgai, Wild Dogs, Hyenas, Civet and Jungle cats, and three species of Indian deer - Sambar, Cheetal and Barking Deer. The Tadoba lake sustains the Marsh Crocodile, which were once common all over Maharashtra.

Tadoba is also an ornithologist's paradise with a varied diversity of birds, aquatic birdlife, and Raptors. Thickly clad hills form the north and western boundary of the Tiger Reserve. To the southwest is a huge lake, which acts as buffer in between the Park Forest and the extensive farmland extending right up to the Irai Lake. Tadoba Tiger Reserve is open throughout the year less June 30 to mid September, the rainy season. The park remains closed every Tuesday.

Located in the heart of a reserved forest, it is an infinite treasure trove of innumerable species of trees and plants - and wildlife that includes tigers, panthers, sloth bears, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, bison, barking deer, nilgai, sambar, and cheatal.

Tadoba National Park and Andhari Wildlife Santuary together form the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. The park derives its name from "Taru" the local deity, whereas the Andhari river that meanders through the forest gives the sanctuary its name.

Flora: Teak, Ain, Bija, Dhaoda, Bamboo, Haldu, Arjun, Tendu, Salai, Jamun, Mahua.

Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Sloth bear, Wild dog, Jackal, Sambar, Indian Bison, Barking Deer, Blue Bull, Spotted Deer, Chausingha, Ratel, Flying Squirrel, Wild Boar, Langur.

Tadoba reserve covers the Chimur Hills, and the Andhari sanctuary covers Moharli and Kolsa ranges. It’s bounded on the northern and the western side by densely forested hills. The two forested rectangles are formed of Tadoba and Andhari range. The south part of the park is less hilly, and on the south-west side, it’s flanked by Tadoba Lake. The lake offers a perfect habitat for crocodiles to thrive.

Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve is the pristine and unique eco-system situated in the Chandrapur district of the Maharashtra State of India. The Reserve contains some of the best of forest tracks and endowed with rich biodiversity. It is famous for its natural heritage. Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve is the second Tiger Reserve in the State.

Conservation History
Tadoba-Andhari Tiger reserve was created in 1995. The area of the Reserve is 625.40 sq. km. This includes Tadoba National Park, created in 1955 with an area of 116.55 sq. km. and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary created in 1986 with an area of 508.85 sq. km. The Reserve is constituted with 577.96 sq. km. Reserve Forest, 32.51 sq. km. Protected Forest and 14.93 sq. km. other areas.

Protection is most important management input in the Reserve. A novel method of protecting the forest with the help of tribal youth from the six villages within the andhari Sanctuary has been initiated. Fifteen patrolling parties have been formed in which along with the field staff, 3 village protection force volunteers have been assigned the job of daily patrolling the Tadoba-andhari Tiger Reserve and help in curbing all illegal activities. These volunteers are kept for a maximum of three months for which wages are given as per available grants. However, after three months fresh young tribal are taken as members of the village protection force so that all the families of the six villages get some wages for their livelihood and feel a sense of responsibility for protection of the Reserve.

Best season

The park is open to visitors throughout the year except during the monsoon months where it is closed from 30 June to mid September. Animals are best seen from February to May. Vegetation and insect life is at its best with the onset of rains in June. Due to the dense growth of plants and grasses, animals are not easily sighted in this season.

Winter lasts from November to February and is one of the best times for a visit. Day temperatures range between 25⁰-30⁰C and the park is pleasantly green. It is best to avoid a visit at the end of December since the winter session of the State Government will be on at Nagpur and with officials and politicians thronging the place, bookings may be a problem.

Summers are unbearably hot in Tadoba, with day temperatures rising sometimes to 47⁰ C. However, it is the ideal time to view mammals near water sources, as vegetation is also scarce, enhancing visibility. The monsoon breaks in June with rainfall of about 1,275 mm. and humidity at about 66 per cent.

The park is open for visitors throughout the year less July to mid September. Excursions are permitted only by daylight i.e. sunrise to sunset. Official guides are compulsory for all excursions. The best times to visit are early mornings and late afternoons.

Accommodation

Rest houses, dormitories and tents are available. Besides the guest houses at Tadoba, there is also a holiday home with three family blocks and a youth hostel with a dormitory of 36 beds. The tourist complex is located on the banks of the lake, in the midst of thick forests. Refreshments and meals are available on prior intimation at the canteen.

I stayed at Royal Tiger Resort which I found to be excellent. The rooms were Air-conditioned, the bathrooms clean and the food though simple was wholesome and very tasty .  I must also mention that the staff was also very helpful and courteous. The biggest problem is one cannot book Jeep safaris on line. Means you have to physically present yourself to book the safaris 7 days in advance which is obviously not practical. In fact I had booked the MTDC Guest house for 2 nights on line, yet I had to cancel my reservation as there was no way for me to book the 3 jeep safaris (they don’t do it) from Pune . So I booked with the Royal Tiger Resort who also arranged the entry permits and the safari geeps for my 3 safaris. 6 to 10 AM (2 times) and 3 to 6.30 PM (once). I hired the full vehicle at Rs 3600 per safari. I did 3 safaris which I found more than adequate. Here is the number of Royal Tiger resort for quick reference -  09881717818.  Mr Dhananjay Bapat is the owner of the resort. I would recommend this place whole heartdly.

Transport

By Air: Nagpur airport is 205 km. away via Chandrapur; 140 km. via Chimur. Taxis are available from Railway station or the airport for Tadoba. You can book these on line or the Royal Tiger resort arranges everything on request. Be prepared to pay around Rs. 2000 plus for drop as they charge for the round trip.

By Rail: The nearest railhead is Chandrapur, 45 km. from the park.

By Road: You may enter the park from the Moharli or via Chimur. State transport buses ply from Chandrapur. Taxis and Jeeps from Nagpur or Chandrapur are other options. Chandrapur is 45 km. from the park; Chimur is 32 km. away. I traveled by my private car from Pune.

Here are some pictures of my road trip to Tadoba from Pune via Ambajogai, Yevatmal, Vani and Chandrapur and return. Plus off course, pictures in the reserve. I was lucky to have sighted some wild dogs, the tiger off course and some rare birds. I say I was lucky because I ventured to Tadoba in mid June during the monsoons and the park was scheduled to close in just a few days time. I thoroughly enjoyed my journey to Tadoba as well as my stay out there. I highly recommend this trip. Some pictures can be viewed here. Please copy and paste link in browser.

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