Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (Timings, Entry Fee, Safari Online Booking, How to Reach)
Located in the Chandrapur district of the Maharashtra state, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve presents rich flora and fauna as well as refreshing setting and exciting activities to its visitors. Second reserve of the Maharashtra, the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is spread across an area of 625.40 sq. km which is consisted of an area of 116.55 sq. km of the Tadoba National Park and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary with an area of 508.85 sq. km. The Tadoba National Park was formed in the year of 1955 while Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary was created in 1986. The reserve was established in the year of 1995.
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve Image Gallery
Credit: Shivalingam Somu
Flora @ Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
The main kind of forest in this area is Southern tropical Dry Deciduous Forest. Other prominent tree species are Teak, Bamboo along with other deciduous trees such as ain or crocodile bark Terminalia tomentosa, tendu Diospyros melanoxylon, beheda Terminalia belerica, hirda Terminalia chebula, karayagum Sterculia urens, mahua Madhuca, Boswellia serrata, Pterocarpus marsupium, Lagerstroemia parviflora and Lannea coromandelica, etc.
Fauna @ Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
Along with Tiger, the reserve boasts of animals such as Leopard, Sloth Bear, Gaur or Indian Bison, Rusty Spotted Cat, Spotted deer, Sambar, Wild Boar, Four horned antelope, Wild dog, Flying Squirrel, Ratel, Indian mouse deer, etc. Some of the prominent reptiles that are found here are crocodiles, Indian python, common Indian monitor, terrapins, star tortoises, common cobra and Russel’s viper.
The area with close to 195 species of avian fauna also makes for an interesting place for activity of bird watching. Some of the birds that can be spotted here are Grey Headed Fishing Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Tree Swift, Stone Curlew, Honey Buzzard, Paradise Flycatcher, Bronze Winged Jacana, a Lesser Golden backed Woodpecker, Warblers, Black-naped blue flycatcher, Peacock, etc. Along with this, there are almost 74 species of butterflies such as pansies, monarch, mormons and swordtails, Danaid Eggfly and the Great Egg Fly.
Best time to visit Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
Although the park is open throughout the year for the tourists, the best time to visit the reserve is during the months of February to May. However, to get the best of insect lives, mid-June is the ideal time for visiting.
Reaching Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
- By air: The nearest airport to the reserve is at Nagpur which is at a distance of 140 km.
- By rail: The nearest railway station is Chandrapur which is at a distance of 45 km. One can either hire a taxi or go by bus from here to the reserve.
- By road: The nearest main bus stand is at Chandrapur which is 45 km away and Chimur which is at a distance of 32 km. There are many buses running from Chandrapur as well as many taxis from Nagpur and Chandrapur to the reserve.
Accommodation @ Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
Tourists will have enough of accommodation facilities in and around the reserve such as rest houses, dormitories and tents. There are rooms at Tadoba by MTDC which can be booked in advance from the MTDC offices at Mumbai and Nagpur.