Tadoba Jungle Safari | Everything You Need to Know for Spotting Tigers and Reaching Tadoba

Tadoba Jungle Safari | Everything You Need to Know for Spotting Tigers and Reaching Tadoba

The Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is one of the largest national parks in India for spotting tigers. It is located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. Established in 1956, this reserve was designated as a key area for tigers and is home to various wildlife, including Leopards, Indian Bison, Deer, and over 200 species of birds. Visitors often come here for the opportunity to observe these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. Tadoba Jungle Safari gives you a lifetime experience. 

How to reach Tadoba?

Tadoba is one of the best tourist spots for spotting Tigers, and it is open throughout the year. There are multiple and easy ways to reach here.

By Air

Nagpur Airport is the nearest airport to reach Tadoba. Once you get down at airport, you can hire a private vehicle to reach.

By Train

Chandrapur railway station is the nearest railhead to reach here. Tadoba is 30 km from the airport, where limited buses are available, but private taxis and autos can take you to your location. The nearest railhead is Nagpur, which is 150 km from Tadoba.

By Bus

Samrudhi Expressway to be specially built for Mumbai-Nagpur. Direct road connectivity is available from different parts of the city.

My Experience of Visiting Tadoba Jungle Safari

It all started when one of my friends invited us to her wedding in Nagpur. While attending the wedding was one reason for the trip, another important reason was Nagpur's unique attraction: Tadoba National Park. Although the park is part of the Nagpur region, it is located about 150 kilometres away from the city. The nearest railway station to us is in Chandrapur, which is another 30 kilometres from the park. We actually planned our trip 15 days in advance and made all our bookings during that time.

We started our journey from Chandrapur railway station. Upon our arrival in the morning, a cab was waiting to take us to our hotel in Tadoba. We had planned a Jeep safari for the next day at 6 AM, which was pre-booked. However, since we didn't want to waste the entire day at the hotel, we decided to try for an additional safari that same day, provided we could get tickets at the last minute.

When planning a visit to Tadoba, it's important to note that safari bookings usually need to be made 15 days in advance, along with the necessary documentation and payment. However, tickets for a cantor vehicle can be purchased on the spot if they are available.

Tadoba has two main zones for wildlife sightings: the Core Zone, which is the primary area, and the Buffer Zone. Emergency tickets are available under the RAC category only at the Core Zone. Similar to the process at the Moharli Gate, please note that if someone cancels their pre-booked safari vehicle (cruiser) at the last moment, you may have a chance to purchase that ticket. However, you will need to arrive and stand in line at least three hours before the ride time.

There are two ride times in Tadoba:

- Morning: 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM

- Afternoon: 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM

We began our first safari in Tadoba using a 9-seater cruiser. Before we set off on our ride, our guide collected all our phones and secured them in a bag, as mobile photography is not permitted. As we started our journey, the guide and driver shared insightful details about Tadoba, explaining everything from the animals found in the park to the origin of its name. The information was incredibly engaging and enriching.

The first 2.5 hours of our ride were completely dry. Aside from spotting animals like sambhar deer, spotted deer, and Indian bison, we didn’t see what we had hoped for in Tadoba: a tiger or leopard. However, we did have an unexpected encounter with the cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. We learned that Sachin was in Tadoba that day, and we were fortunate to see him riding in a different vehicle nearby. Although we hadn’t spotted a tiger yet, getting the chance to see Sachin Tendulkar up close was a thrilling experience.

Our search for the real tigers of Tadoba continued, and on our way back to the main gate, we encountered a crowd of gypsies near a female tiger who was walking along the road with her cubs. We watched her for a while, and even though she was a bit distant, we could see her clearly. This marked the end of our first safari in the cruiser.

Open Gypsy of Buffer Zone

Female Sambhar Deer spotted at Tadoba

Sachin Tendulkar spotted at Tadoba.

The next day, our safari began around 6:30 a.m. from the buffer zone of Tadoba National Park, and this time it was a gypsy safari. As soon as we started our ride, we spotted leopards sitting in the middle of the road. Since leopards are quite shy and don’t often come onto the road, we felt lucky to see them. 

Continuing on our ride, we encountered Madhu, another female tiger from Tadoba, who walked right next to our gypsy. Following her was an exhilarating experience, and fortunately, she did not show any aggression. It was truly overwhelming to observe her so closely in the open area. 

While we were following her, our guide noticed some labourers coming from the front area, right next to Madhu. Our driver increased the gypsy's speed to overtake the tiger and ensure the safety of the labourers. Thankfully, they were alerted and managed to retreat. 

After Madhu disappeared into the jungle, we waited for almost an hour for her to reappear, but she never did. Tadoba is a mystical jungle where visitors can enjoy the forest ride, even if they don't spot tigers. It's a great place for anyone who appreciates wildlife, and many people come here for birdwatching as well.

Tadoba real ride is in an open Gypsy Safari

Even though the leopard is shy, we were lucky to spot them in Tadoba.

She is Madhu, a female tiger of Tadoba.

My Tadoba Ride Experience and Complete Details

**Best Time to Visit Tadoba Safari**

Tadoba National Park is open year-round, but most visitors come during the winter months when the weather is cool and pleasant. In winter, temperatures can drop to around 10 degrees Celsius, making it the best time to visit Tadoba.

During the summer, the heat can be intense and humid, with temperatures soaring to nearly 50 degrees Celsius. If you choose to visit during this season, it's best to schedule your safari in the morning to avoid the extreme heat.

In the monsoon season, many gates to the park are closed, and only a few, primarily in the buffer zone, remain open for sightings. As a result, there are typically very few tourists during this time.

What are the places to stay here?

Tadoba is one such mystical place where many tourists flock throughout. In Tadoba, there are numerous accommodation options available. Starting from home stays to resorts, many stay offers include food and pickup and drop-off facilities up to the gate. Hence, it is advisable to book your stay in advance and not visit here without booking. Below is the contact who helped me thoroughly with my trip, starting from the Surat pickup drop facility and stay, including food. You just have to reach Chandrapur railway station.

 Things to Know Before You Go to Tadoba

• Safari bookings for Tadoba are exclusively done online; there is no option for on-the-spot bookings. (safaribooking.mahaforest.gov.in)

• Cruiser safaris are available only for residents of Chandrapur, and prior booking is required at least 7 days in advance. Bookings can be made at the Chandrapur district office.

• If you wish to participate in an extra cruiser safari, you may do so if someone cancels at the time of the safari. This is only possible by standing in line, and you would be accommodated in the RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) quota if available.

• Mobile phones are strictly prohibited for photography purposes, and you will need to submit your phone before you begin the ride.

• Cameras and binoculars are available for rent if you wish to take photos during the safari.

• Remember to carry a cap, sunscreen, and some snacks for the ride. Plastic bottles are not allowed.

• Bring something to help cover your nose, as the roads can be quite dusty.
• Please do not litter in the area.

Tadoba booking detail