Our friend Jenny decided to write a guest blog for us on planning a Safari Trip to Tadoba National Park. Jenny works with Tigers Heaven Resort in Tadoba, and definitely knows the inside scoop!
Tiger spotted on a safari in TadobaTadoba Tiger Reserve was started back in 1955 and was named after the local deity Taru. According to the mythology, Taru was the name of the village head who was killed by a tiger. The shrine was devoted to the God Taru on the banks of river Tadoba. The national park was declared a reserve in the year 1993.
Location of the Tadoba National Park
Situated in the Chandrapur district of the Maharashtra state of India, the national park lies in the center of the forest reserve. The region is located within the Chimur hills and is often spoken of in combination with the Andhari sanctuary, to create the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger reserve.
Landscape
The extraordinary landscape includes valleys, meadows, lakes and hills. The Tadoba Lake is situated at the center of the national park which gives the whole park a very picturesque feel.
Flora and Fauna
The diversity of flora and fauna in this the national park is vast. The entire reserve is filled with dry deciduous forests. The vegetation mainly includes Sal, Semul, Mahua etc. There are fruit trees like Mango and Jamun. It’s a very unique experience to walk through the woods. The fauna includes tiger, spotted dear, wild dogs, leopard, sloth bear, blue bull, wild boar, the langur, flying squirrel etc.
Weather
Winter can be severe in the months of December to February. The summer follows from March to May and the monsoon prevails from June to September. The post monsoon season occurs during October and November. The best time to visit the national park is from February to May, since it is always advisable to avoid the forests during the monsoons. The park remains open throughout the year except on Tuesdays.
Where to Stay?
In the midst of the wildlife, you can stay in the cheap resorts at Tadoba national park. There are various camps and resorts that can provide you with great accommodation options. There are also resorts controlled by the Maharashtra Tourism Development and Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra. Eco huts, guest houses and dormitories can also be availed at cheap rates. Some of the lodges may offer view points for spotting the wildlife.
Safari Ride
The major attraction of staying at the Tadoba National Park is the safari ride. This adventurous journey will provide you with the unique opportunity of getting up close with nature. You can experience safe encounters with the world famous Bengal tigers through the safari ride. You will be travelling in open and comfortable jeeps so that you can enjoy the excitement right under your nose. In the safari you can come across jungle cats, hyenas, wild bears, and cheetahs apart from the tigers. The park is also home to above 180 species of birds which include the endangered species of water birds. Around the Tadoba Lake, you can also spot migratory ducks or marsh crocodiles. During the months of November to February, the park remains open from 6.30 am to 10.30 am and 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm. From March to June, the national park remains open from 6.00 am to 10.00 am and from 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm.
Tadoba national park can be explored in open jeeps though it’s a mandatory that your vehicle be registered with the administration of Tadoba. Before you can enter the park, you are required to provide your personal information along with identification proof. The booking activities can be done in advance from Chandrapur. Foreigners will definitely have to show their original passport. The tourists should hire guides for better identification of different species in the deep forest.
