Tadoba
- Tadoba
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve - Maharashtra
If you’re a wildlife enthusiast and especially passionate about tigers, nothing matches the thrill of locking eyes with the big cat and watching its majestic stride through the wild. Tadoba Tiger Reserve, the largest and oldest tiger reserve in Maharashtra, offers that unforgettable experience.
With dense teak forests, golden grasslands, rolling hills, and serene lakes, Tadoba is a paradise for tigers and a host of other wildlife. Spotting a tiger here, the apex predator in its natural habitat, is both rare and exhilarating. Now that travel has opened up again, there’s no better way to shake off stress and reconnect with nature than a Tadoba Tiger Safari Tour.
The reserve covers 1,727 sq. km, was established in 1955, and was later expanded by merging with Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary in 1995. Its lifelines, Tadoba Lake, Kolsa Lake, and the Tadoba River, provide vital water sources that sustain its incredible biodiversity.
Interesting Fact – Tadoba Tiger Reserve
The name “Tadoba Andhari” comes from a local deity, “Taru”, worshiped by the tribal people of the region, while “Andhari” is derived from the Andhari River flowing through the reserve.
Prime Predators
Royal Bengal Tigers are the apex predators here, supported by a healthy prey base.
Famous For?
Known for the iconic tigress “Maya,” often called the ‘Queen of Tadoba.’
Major Wildlife
Tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild dog, striped hyena, gaur, sambhar, rock python, and diverse bird species like the peafowl and rufous treepie.
Flora & Fauna in the Park
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is blessed with thick forests covered with teak trees and other vegetation such as crocodile bark, salai, tendu, karaya gum, and mahua madhuca. Additionally, pivot wood and palas add dynamic shading to the timberland. Also, you can find enormous Arjun trees at the waterhole at Panchadhara.
The reserve is adorned with patches of grasses and bamboo shrubberies. A strong population of herbivores, rich water sources, and thick forests provide a safe natural habitat for big cats like Royal Bengal Tigers and Indian Leopards. As many as 90–100 tigers are in the Tadoba Tiger Reserve. Hence, this is considered one of the best places to spot tigers near Nagpur, with a huge tiger density and a better tiger sighting index.
Other mammals include Indian panthers, sloth bears, Gaur, Nilgai, Dhole, Striped Hyena, Little Indian Civet, wilderness felines, sambar, chausingha, and Honey Badger. It also has reptiles such as the Indian python, the Indian cobra, and the Russell’s snake.
Mammals
- Royal Bengal Tiger
- Indian Leopard
- Black Panther
- Indian Wild Dog
- Striped Hyena
- Little Indian Civet
- Sambar Deer
- Bison / Indian Gaur
- Jackal
Birds
- Indian Pitta
- Indian Roller
- Painted Francolin
- Peafowl
- Indian Black Ibis
- Asian Openbill
- Indian Scops Owl
- Jungle Prinia
- Rufous Treepie
Reptiles
- Indian Rock Python
- Sand Boa
- Checkered Keelback
- Banded Kukri Snake
- Russell’s Viper
- Common Vine Snake
- Common Wolf Snake
- Spectacled Cobra
- Indian Flapshell Turtle
Safari Zones or Gates
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
Tadoba Tiger Reserve has four main safari zones, each with core and buffer gates that provide access to the park.
Moharli Zone – Tadoba
Moharli is one of the most popular zones, offering high chances of tiger sightings. It has 7 gates: Moharli and Khutwanda are core gates, while Adegaon, Agarzari, Junona, Devada, and Mamla are buffer gates.
Kolara Zone – Tadoba
Kolara is another prime zone with excellent tiger sighting records. It has 7 gates: Kolara is the core gate, and Palasgaon, Kolara Chauradev, Alizanza, Madnapur, Shirkheda, and Balera are buffer gates.
Navegaon Zone – Tadoba
Navegaon has 3 gates: Navegaon is the core gate, while Navegaon Ramdegi and Nimdele are buffer gates.
Pangadi & Zari Zone – Tadoba
Pangadi and Zari together have 5 gates. Pangadi and Zari are core gates, while Kelsa Ghat, Zari Peth, and Pangadi Aswal Chuha are buffer gates.
Core Zone
| Zone Name | Entry Gate |
|---|---|
|
Moharli |
Moharli Gate; Khutwanda Gate |
|
Kolara |
Kolara Gate |
|
Navegaon |
Navegaon Gate |
|
Pangadi & Zari |
Pangadi Gate; Zari Gate |
Buffer Zones
| Zone Name | Entry Gate |
|---|---|
|
Moharli |
Adegaon, Agarzari, Junona, Devada, Mamla Gates |
|
Kolara |
Palasgaon, Kolara Chauradev, Alizanza, Madnapur, Shirkheda, Balera |
|
Navegaon |
Navegaon Ramdegi, Nimdele Gates |
|
Pangadi & Zari |
Kelsa Ghat, Zari Peth, Pangadi Aswal Chuha Gates |
