Tadoba National Park
Maharashtra
Tadoba National Park, the oldest protected forest in Maharashtra, is a captivating rainforest nestled amidst picturesque hilly terrains to the north and west, with the pristine, perennial Todoba Lake lying at its heart. In recent years, tiger populations and sightings have soared, firmly placing Tadoba National Park among the foremost destinations on India’s renowned tiger circuit. Predominantly a dry deciduous forest, Tadoba features a blend of teak and bamboo groves, interspersed with open grasslands and diverse dry woodland habitats.
About Tadoba National Park
Tadoba National Park is the oldest protected forest in Maharashtra, a delightful and compact rainforest framed by scenic mountainous terrain to the north and west, with the pristine and perennial Todoba Lake nestled at its centre. In recent years, both tiger numbers and sightings have dramatically increased, propelling Tadoba National Park to prominence as one of the most renowned destinations on India’s tiger circuit. The forest is largely composed of teak and bamboo trees, alongside pockets of grasslands and mixed dry woods. Tadoba is classified as a dry deciduous forest.
This type of vegetation greatly enhances visibility throughout the jungle, allowing for more frequent game sightings—especially during the dry season. In the summer months, a number of artificial water holes in this arid terrain attract a wide array of wildlife. The total area of the reserve is approximately 625 square kilometres, with the national park itself covering around 116 square kilometres. This is ample space to encounter much of the captivating wildlife native to the region. The park is home to an estimated sixty to seventy tigers. Kolsa, Mohuli, and Tadoba are the three core regions that make up the designated tourism zone of the park.
What To Know About Tadoba
Best Time to Visit:
- April – May
- November – February
Reaching Tadoba:
- Flight: New Delhi – Nagpur
- Railway: New Delhi – Chandrapur
Wildlife in Tadoba National Park
Tadoba National Park shelters a rich variety of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, sambars, and many other species of wild animals, birds, and reptiles. The reserve offers numerous opportunities for fascinating wildlife sightings. The tiger remains the park’s most iconic inhabitant, with fortunate visitors sometimes catching a glimpse deep within the forest or near the lake. As one of India’s most prominent tiger reserves, Tadoba is celebrated for offering exceptional chances to observe these majestic big cats. Alongside its tiger population, Tadoba National Park boasts a remarkable diversity of wildlife—below is an introduction to the flora and fauna that thrive within this protected haven.
Mammals
Tadoba National Park is situated in Chandrapur, Maharashtra. The Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is the second reserve associated with India’s “Project Tiger” conservation initiative, launched in 1994–1995. The reserve comprises both Tadoba National Park and the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary, spanning 577.96 sq km of protected and reserved forest land. The reserve derives its name from the deity Tadoba, or Taru, revered by the Gond tribes in both Tadoba and Andhari, while Andhari refers to a forest river coursing through the region.
Tadoba National Park is encircled by dry tropical forests, undulating hills, and patches of swampland. The Tadoba Andhari Reserve is home to a wide array of species, including leopards, sloth bears, reptiles, hyenas, and numerous bird species. Renowned for frequent tiger sightings, the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) stands as one of India’s finest destinations for viewing these majestic cats. Our Tadoba lodge is located beside the Zari Gate, a peaceful, pristine, and minimally disturbed part of the reserve where the chances of tiger sightings are especially high.
Birds
As the Andhari River flows through the heart of Tadoba National Park, it supports a rich diversity of raptors and water birds. Tadoba is home to approximately 195 bird species, including three listed as endangered: the Grey-headed Fish Eagle, the Crested Serpent Eagle, and the Changeable Hawk-Eagle. With dense forest tracts, bamboo thickets, open grasslands, and wetlands, Tadoba provides ideal habitats for both woodland and aquatic birdlife, making it one of Maharashtra’s finest destinations for birdwatching.
Among the notable species observed in the reserve are the Orange-headed Thrush, Indian Pitta, Crested Treeswift, Stone Curlew, Crested Honey Buzzard, Paradise Flycatcher, Bronze-winged Jacana, Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker, Warblers, Black-naped Blue Flycatcher, Oriental Honey Buzzard, White-eyed Buzzard, Pariah Kite, Open-billed Stork, Black Ibis, Bar-headed Goose, Black Stork, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Brahminy Duck, Comb Duck, Little Grebe, and Open-billed Stork. Additional species include the House Sparrow, Indian Robin, Indian Roller, Ruby-throated and Blue-throated Flycatchers, Black Redstart, Grey Tit, Common Stonechat, Brahminy Myna, Asian Pied Starling, House Crow, Large-billed Crow, Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Large Egret, Median Egret, Indian Shag, Banded Bay Cuckoo, White-breasted Waterhen, Green Sandpiper, and Wood Sandpiper.
Reptiles
Crocodiles and other reptiles, like alligators, are drawn to watering holes. In addition, it is the habitat of the common Indian monitor, the Indian star tortoise, the Russel’s viper, the Indian python, the terrapin, the Indian cobra, the krait, the tree snake, the leaf-nosed snake, and many other species of reptiles and amphibians. Because there aren’t very many reptiles in this area, it shouldn’t be too difficult to stumble into one.
What you will experience on this tour.
Nature Safari India, which has more than 30 years of experience in the wildlife safari industry and is an expert in tiger safari India tours, ensures that you will have an authentic and fulfilling safari experience on your next trip to India. Our tiger safari tours highlight the best of Indian wildlife along with hints of culture and Indian heritage.
These tours take place in some of the best national parks in the country for wildlife, such as Ranthambore National Park, Corbett National Park, or even Bandhavgarh National Park, and cover a variety of species and landscapes. Take a look at some of the top-rated tiger safari India excursions that we offer here.
Tour Inclusions
- Bed and breakfast accommodations are available in New Delhi and Agra.
- Accommodations include all meals and a safari in Pench, Kanha, and Bandhavgarh.
- Your Pench, Kanha, and Bandhavgarh admission and guide fees.
- Your entry fee and any tour guide fees for visiting monuments.
- There will be 6 exclusive jeep safaris offered in Pench.
- In Kanha, 5 exclusive jeep safaris will be offered.
- In Bandhavgarh, there will be 7 exclusive jeep safaris available.
- Assistance at the hotels and the airport.
- Every land transfer is done in a cool Toyota Innova or Crysta.
- Any taxes that are now applied.
Tour Exclusions
- Both domestic and international plane travel.
- Personal expenses like tips, cigarettes, alcohol, laundry, and phone calls.
- In national parks and monuments, there is a still and video camera fee.
- Travel Insurance
- Everything that isn't listed among the inclusions.
Enquire this tour
Other Wildlife Safari Tours in India to choose from
Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Kaziranga National Park are recognised for its wildlife adventures with Tigers, Gaurs, Wild Dogs, Barasinghas, water buffaloes, birds, and the one Horned Rhino.
Bandhavgarh National Park is a prime tiger safari park in central India.
This little park boasts one of the greatest tiger concentrations in the country. Every curve on a Bandhavgarh tiger safari has its own narrative.