Situated in the core of a reserved forest and spread in the area of 1727 sq. km, Tadoba National
Park lies in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra (India). One of the largest and oldest national
park, which has endless treasure trove of large number of species of trees & plants and wildlife
like panthers, tigers, hyenas, sloth bears, wild dogs, jackals, barking deer, bison, sambar,
herd of deer to name a few. Overshadowed by teak & bamboo, and with a magical landscape of
rugged cliffs, marshlands, lakes, etc., it's full of unlike flora and fauna, which was once
privileged by shikaras (hunters).
There is a great history behind the name of Tadoba National Park. Tadoba or Taru was the name of
god of tribal people who reside in the dense Tadoba region of the forest. It is believed that
Taru was a chief of village, who was killed in a legendary encounter with a tiger. After this,
a shrine was made dedicated to the God Taru that exists under a huge tree and on the bank of
Tadoba Lake. Likewise, ‘Andhari’ name was given due to Andhari River that wanders through the
forest. Earlier, the kings of Gond ruled this forest in the vicinage of the Chimur hills.
During 1935, hunting was totally restricted, but later in the year 1955; the area of 116.54 sq. km
(45.00 sq mi) was acknowledged as The National Park. Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary was made on the
next forests in 1986 and later in the year 1995, the park & the sanctuary were combined together
to form the present India’s 41 “Project Tiger”-Tiger Reserves.
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve receives ample rains during the monsoon months starting from
mid June. An average record reads 1200 mm of rain with 66 percent humidity. During the
monsoon, the insect and invertebrate population rises while plant life thrives. Winters
are considerably pleasant with temperatures ranging within 25 degree Celsius to 30
degree Celcuis. The summers last between months of February and May, with maximum
temperatures reaching up to 47 degree Celsius.
The months November and February are the best time to visit, considering the temperature
is pleasant and lot of greenery is around to see. Animal sightings are increased around
water bodies during the summer months as a result of heat but winters pose less of a
challenge for longer journeys.
Aurangabad – 531 km
Pune – 770 km
Mumbai – 833 km
By Air
Nearest airport to the reserve is in Nagpur, around 200 kilometers from the park.
A taxi or bus can be hailed from there till Chandrapur or directly till Chimur, which is
140 kilometers to Nagpur.
By Train
Chandpur harbors the nearest railway station to Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve at a distance
of 45 kilometers. The easiest way to get to the reserve is by rail as it connects to most
nearby cities and has an a daily inflow of passenger trains.
By Road
The park gates can be accessed by roads through all directions. Inside the park premises
park vehicles can be made available along with a forest tour guide officiated by the Department
of Forest.
Mammals
Honey Badger, sloth bears, Indian leopards, nilgai, gaur, dhole, small Indian civet,
striped hyena, jungle cats, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, chausingha and chital.
Reptiles
Indian python, marsh crocodile, common Indian monitor, Indian star tortoise, terrapins,
Russel’s viper and Indian cobra.
Birds
Crested serpent eagle, grey-headed fish eagle, changeable hawk-eagle, Indian pitta,
orange-headed thrush, crested treeswift, crested honey buzzard, stone curlew, paradise
flycatcher, lesser goldenbacked woodpecker, bronze-winged jacana, warblers, peacock,
black-naped blue flycatcher.