OVERVIEW

Tadoba

Tadoba - Andhari  Tiger reserve is a pristine and a unique eco-system located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra.The reserve contains some of the best forest tracts and has emerged as a wonderful habitat for the Royal Bengal Tiger. It is also one of the 28 Poject Tiger Reserves. With almost 50 tigers on the reserve and an area of 632 sq. km.; this bamboo forest is rightly referred to as "The Jewel of Vidharba".

The name 'Tadoba' is the name of the God 'Tadoba' or "Taru", worshipped  by the tribals and  is famed to live in the dense forests of Tadoba and Andhari region. Tadoba’s southern tropical dry deciduous forest of Deccan Peninsula comprises of teak forests with bamboo thicket, which are  wildlifer's dream. It lies in Chandrapur Ddstrict and is Maharashtra's oldest National Park created in 1955. The National Park is 623  sq. kms in area, consisting of two forested rectangles of the Tadoba and Andhari range. The best thing about the park is that it remains open all round the year, even in the monsoons.

Park Landscape

The terrain is undulating with panoramic views of hills, lakes and meadows. The Tadoba Lake is situated more or less in the middle of the park.  It is sometimes also referred to as the "Heart of Tadoba". The National Park is 623 sq. kms in area, consisting of two forested rectangles of the Tadoba and Andhari range. Thickly clad hills form the north and western boundary of the Tiger Reserve. To the southwest is a huge lake, which acts as buffer in between the Park Forest and the extensive farmland extending right up to the Irai Lake. Tadoba Tiger Reserve is an undisturbed forest as it is not visited by many tourists.

Weather

Winters stretch from November to February.  Day temperatures range between 25°-30°C and the park is pleasantly green. Summers are hot in Tadoba, with day temperatures rising sometimes to 47°C. However, it is the ideal time to view mammals near water sources, as vegetation is also scarce, enhancing visibility. The monsoon breaks in June with rainfall of about 1,275 mm. and humidity at about 66 per cent.

Flora-and-Fauna-of-Tadoba

Tadoba is the oldest National Park of the state of Maharashtra.  The rich deciduous forest mainly consists of bamboo & teak. The other trees are gardenia, satinwood, mahua and jamun. The other trees which are found within the protected area are, ain, arjun, behada, bija, bhera, bor, bel, chichwa, dhawada, kusum, mowai, phetra, rohan, salai, semal, shisham, sisoo, shivan, surya, sirus, tendu, etc.

Other than the tiger, Tadoba Tiger Reserve is home to rare Indian wildlife like leopards, sloth bears, gaur, wild dogs, hyenas, civets, jungle cats and many species of the Indian deer like sambar, cheetal, nilgai, and the barking deer.

The Tadoba Lake sustains the marsh crocodile, which were once common all over Maharashtra. Tadoba is also an ornithologist's paradise with a varied diversity of aquatic bird-life, and raptors.

195 species of birds have been recorded, including three endangered varieties. The grey headed fishing Eagle ichthyophaga icthyaetus and the crested serpent eagle amd the spilornis cheela are some of the raptors.

Other interesting species include the crested tree swift hemiprocne longipennis, stone curlew burhinus oedicnemus, honey buzzard pernis ptilorhyncus, paradise fycatcher terpsiphone paradisi, bronze winged jacana metopidius indicus and the lesser goldenbacked woodpecker dinopium benghalense. Warblers and the Bbacknaped blueflycatcher exist here and the call of the peacock pavo cristatus may often be heard. The reserve also shelters over 70 species of spiders and butterflies.

In-and Around-Tadoba

Tadoba Lake

The road around the Tadoba lake provides for good wildlife viewing. Chitals are commonly seen in the grasslands, around the lake and near the tourist complex. Gaurs also exist in large numbers near the lake. Large populations of marsh crocodile reside in the lake, but they can also be seen sunning themselves on forest path, near the lake. Good activity around the lake ensures presence of carnivores.

The sloth bear prefers hilly terrain, and you may often see them behind the tourist complex or near Vasant Bhandara. Lairs of the bear, leopard and tiger may be seen en route from the reception center to Vasant Bhandara. The sloth bear is also found in the heart of the forests at Katezari, which now forms part of the core forest. Dhole is seen ubiquitously throughout the reserve. Hyenas are not as common, but you may occasionally be surprised by one of them near thickets. The black- naped hare is commonly encountered along a route called Sasa road. ('Sasa' is for 'hare' in  the Marathi language).

Bhadravati Temple

Bhadravati  -  near the  city of Chandrapur - is an ancient temple, situated at the heart of the city. Devotees throng the temple throughout the year.

Vijasan Hills

Vijasan Hills is the place where you will find several Buddha Temples which capture the imagination of many a visitor.

Conservation History of Tadoba

The Gond kings once ruled these forests in the vicinity of the Chimur hills, in the Chandrapur district. Hunting was completely banned in 1935. Two decades later, in 1955, 116.54 sq.km. was declared as Tadoba National Park under the Madhya Pradesh National Park Act. The area was ceded to the state of Maharashtra in 1956. In 1986, an area of 509 sq. km. adjacent to the reserve was notified as the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. The two sanctuaries were subsequently integrated and in 1993, and it became a Project Tiger Reserve.

Tales-of-Tadoba

The name Tadoba according to one legend is traced back to a Gond King, named Taru, who was killed by a Tiger. Since the tribals worshiped the King, they erected a shrine in his memory. The shrine situated under a large tree on the shores of Lake Tadoba is still visited by local tribals during their annual fair held between  Decemberand January.Clay artifacts of animals exhibited near the idols represent adivasi art and have not changed over the years.

Among the local Gond tribes, the mahua tree (Madhuca indica), represents life and is also known as the tree of life. It is said that in tribal families, when a child is born the nectar of the mahua flower is touched to its mouth even before mother's milk, and a promise is made by the parents that the child will look after the tree and all the surrounding forest, till his/her death. The creamy white flowers are full of sweet juices and are a feast for animals ranging from cheetal, sambar, sloth bears,wild boars and langurs. After digestion the flower generates alcohol and in the months of April, it is common to find zapped sloth bears sleeping peacefully out in the open. Normally, sloth bears sleep most of the day on rocky hills, in caves and crevices. The tribes also value the fruit for it's nutritive value and dry store it for consumption throughout the year.

The Gond kings once ruled these forests in the vicinity of the Chimur hills in Chandrapur district. Hunting was completely banned in 1935. Two decades later, in 1955, 116.54 sq.km. was declared as Tadoba National Park under the Madhya Pradesh National Park Act. The area was ceded to the state of Maharashtra in 1956. In 1986, an area of 509 sq. km. adjacent to the reserve was notified as the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. The two sanctuaries were subsequently integrated and in 1993, and it became a Project Tiger Reserve.

The local population comprises mainly Gond tribes who speak Marathi and Gondi. The tribes use the forest for several natural products. In these families, a newborn child is fed the nectar of the Mahua flower even before mother's milk to symbolize that the child and the tree will support each other all their lives. The adivasis also sprinkle the sacred water of the Tadoba Lake on their crops during the rainy season, in the belief that it would protect their crops from pests.

ACCOMODATION

The Bamboo Forest Safari Lodge 

What for many would sound like a fabulous, other-worldly fantasy is the way and reality of life at The Bamboo Forest Safari Lodge (BFSL) at the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) near Chandarpur, Maharashtra. All the villas at the resort are ingeniously crafted with all the luxuries you’d expect back home. An eco-tourism destination unlike any other, it allows you to get back into the lap of nature and far from the madding crowd, but never too far from comfort. The dramatic emergence of TATR on the centre stage of tiger tourism to rank as world’s premier tiger reserve and India’s best has brought in its fold new challenges of creating eco-friendly and eco-sensitive tourism infrastructure. The new global traveller is a discerning one, and demands luxury in wilderness. Herein, lays the genesis of The Bamboo Forest Safari Lodge, offering the wilder side of ultimate luxury.

Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions

Registration

The tour booking will be confirmed only upon receipt of a non-refundable amount of 20% of the tour cost, in addition to the charges such as air fares, rail fares, etc. along with completed personal information form or an email confirming your intent to travel.
- 50% of the tour cost to be paid 45 days before date of departure.
- Balance 30% of the tour cost to be paid 15 days prior to the departure.
- The trip will be considered as confirmed only if there is no default in the above payment procedure.

Cancellation Policy

In the event of any cancellation by you, the initial deposit amount paid, shall stand forfeited and further cancellation shall be levied as per the following terms:
- 6 weeks before date of departure: 20% of tour cost + Air / Rail cancellation charges.
- 4 to 6 weeks before date of departure: 50% of tour cost + Air / Rail cancellation charges.
- 2 to 4 weeks before date of departure: 80% of tour cost + Air / Rail cancellation charges.
- 2 weeks before date of departure: 100% of tour cost + Air / Rail cancellation charges (Will be considered as no show).
All dispute arising under or in connection with it, shall be governed by the laws then prevailing in India, and shall be under the jurisdiction of the courts in Sangli.

*During peak season some hotel bookings are non-refundable. Hence, in such a case the amount paid will not be refunded.

Refund Policy

Payments will be refunded within 10 to 15 working days after cancellation through a bank transfer.
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