Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve: Its History, Animals and Trees

Tadoba is Maharashtra's oldest national park and one of the best places in India to see a wild tiger. If you are planning a trip, it helps to know a little about the forest before you arrive.

Where the name comes from

"Tadoba" comes from Taru, a deity worshipped by the Gond tribal communities who have lived in these forests for centuries. Local legend says Taru was a village chief who died fighting a tiger. A small shrine to him still stands near Tadoba Lake.

"Andhari" is the name of the river that flows through the reserve.

A short history

• 1935: hunting is banned in the forest.

• 1955: about 116 sq km is declared Tadoba National Park, the first national park in Maharashtra.

• 1986: the forests next to it become the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary.

• 1995: the two are joined to form the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve.

Today the reserve covers about 1,727 sq km. Around 625 sq km is the core zone, the protected centre of the forest. The other 1,101 sq km is the buffer zone, a ring of forest and villages around the core.

The animals

Most people come for the tigers. The 2022 national tiger count (NTCA) recorded 97 tigers inside the reserve, with more in the forests around it. Young tigers born here often move out to other forests in the region, so Tadoba also acts as a breeding ground.

On a safari you may also see leopards, sloth bears, Indian bison (gaur), wild dogs (dhole) and striped hyenas. Spotted deer (chital), sambar and barking deer are common, and marsh crocodiles live in and around the lakes. About 195 kinds of birds and 74 kinds of butterflies have been recorded here.

Keep looking up as well as along the road. Eagles, kingfishers and peafowl turn up often, even on drives where the big cats stay hidden.

The trees and plants

Tadoba is a dry deciduous forest, so most trees drop their leaves in the hot months. That is one reason animals are easier to spot in summer.

Teak is the most common tree. Ain, bija, dhawda and haldu make up much of the rest of the canopy. Arjun grows near rivers and lakes, and thick clumps of bamboo give cover to deer and other animals.

Some trees matter a lot to the people who live around the forest. Mahua flowers are collected in spring, and tendu leaves are used to roll beedis. Palas is called "flame of the forest" for its bright orange flowers in early spring, and semal, the silk cotton tree, has big red flowers that birds love.

Why Tadoba is famous

Tadoba has a strong reputation for regular tiger sightings. Nothing in the wild is guaranteed, but the odds here are good.

It is also easy to reach: about 3 hours by road from Nagpur airport and under an hour from Chandrapur railway station.

You can come in any season. The core zone closes for the monsoon, roughly July to September, but several buffer gates stay open. With core and buffer gates spread around the reserve, there are many ways in. Compared with some of the big parks in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, Tadoba often feels quieter.

Best time to visit

October to February has pleasant weather and a green forest, which suits first-time visitors and families.

March to June is very hot, sometimes 45°C or more, but it is the best time for tiger sightings. Water is scarce, so animals gather near the lakes and waterholes.

From July to September the core zone is closed. Buffer safaris continue, and the forest is at its greenest.

Plan your stay near Moharli Gate

Aranyam Resort is about 300 m from Moharli Gate, one of the main entry points to the core zone. You get a short start to early morning safaris and more time to rest between drives.

We can also arrange your core or buffer zone safari, subject to availability (terms and conditions apply). To check room availability or plan your safaris, message us on WhatsApp at +91 94221 39224.