Tadoba, the forest is named after the god ‘TARU’ praised by the local tribal, situated in and around the vicinity. Situated in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, Tadoba has a hilly terrain with an average altitude of about 200-350 m.

Tadoba and the vicinity were once ruled by the Gond kings who used these forests as hunting grounds until it was banned in 1935. In 1955, 116.54 sq km of the forest was declared Tadoba National Park.

The folklore says that TARU was the chief of the village who is believed to be killed in the tiger conflict.

The temple of God TARU still exists beside the picturesque Tadoba Lake under a huge tree.

Earlier, there used to be a fair in the Hindu month of Pausha i.e between December and January, when the tribes used to gather at the temple. At present, the fair is restricted.

Andhari region, named after the river ‘Andhari’, a minor river of Wainganga basin, meandering through the area, the river passes through Tadoba, Mohurli & Kolsa.

In the year 1995, Tadoba National Park and Andhari Tiger Reserve were subsequently integrated and declared as Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) which comprises of Tadoba and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary.

Today it is one of the Project Tiger Reserves Existing in India.

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is the biggest and oldest tiger reserve in Maharashtra comprising an area of about 625 sq.km. of the core zone.

Tourism is permitted in the core and buffer zone.

Flora of Tadoba

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is predominantly southern tropical dry forest with dense woodlands comprising about 87 per cent of the protected area.

Teak and Bamboo are the most popular species of the trees that are found here. Other trees include Ain (crocodile bark), Bija, Dhauda, Hald, Salai, Semal and Tendu. Beheda, Hirda, Karaya Gum, Mahua Madhuca (crepe myrtle) and Lannea coromandelica are other common species.

Axlewood (Anogeissus latifolia) is a fire-resistant species that can be found here. Palas or Flame of the forest (Butea monosperma) adds vibrant colour to the forest. Black plum trees grow in the riparian habitat around the lake.  One can be easily mesmerized by huge Arjun trees that are seen at the Panchadhara waterhole.

Grass and Bamboo can be  found in abundance throughout the reserve.The climber Kach Kujali (velvet bean) found here is a medicinal plant used to treat Parkinson’s disease.

The leaves of Bheria are used as an insect repellent and Bija is a medicinal gum.

Beheda is also an important medicine found here.

Fauna of Tadoba

The Land of Tigers also known as Jewel of Vidarbha, apart from Royal Bengal Tiger, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is home to, Leopards, Sloth Bears, India Gaur (bison), Wild Dogs (Dhole), Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer, Barking deer, Four-horned Antelope (Chausinga), Blue Bull (Nilgai), Langoor, Rudy Mongoose, Rusty Spotted Cat, the Small Indian Civet, the Palm Civet, the Ratel,  Flying Squirrel, Hyenas, Wild Boars, Indian Pangolins, Porcupines to name a few.

How Many Tigers Are There in Tadoba

As per the 2020 census and report of Dr Bilal Habib, Head of the Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Wildlife Institute of India, 88 indivisual Tigers were recorded using the SECR Methodology (44 exclusively in the core zone, 23 exclusively in the buffer zone and 21 in the core & the buffer zone) the estimated population of tigers in Tadoba is about 115 plus.

Over 30 species of reptiles are also found in this park such as the endangered Indian python, terrapins, star tortoise, cobra, etc. Apart from this, the giant wood spider, the signature spider, and redwood spiders are also found during the monsoon season.

More than 75 Species of Butterflies have been recorded here Pansies, Monarch, Mormons and Swordtails, to name a few.

Over 20 species of fishes can be found in and around Tadoba waterbodies

Tadoba lake is also known as an ornithologist’s paradise. It is one of the best birding goals in Maharashtra with thick, bamboo zones, meadows, and wetlands that suit both the woodland and the wetland flying creatures.

The presence of Stream Andhari inside the Tadoba National Park offers a route to a wide decent variety of water-winged creatures, and raptors.

Tadoba also witnesses summer and winter migratory birds from East Africa and Siberia every year.   The intriguing feathered species found in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve including the migratory  are, Orange-headed Thrush, Indian Pitta, Crested Treeswift, Stone Curlew, Crested Honey Buzzard, Paradise Flycatcher, Bronze-winged Jacana, Lesser Goldenbacked Woodpecker, Warblers,

Black-naped Blue Flycatcher, Oriental Honey Buzzard, White-eyed Buzzard, Pariah Kite, Eurasian Sparrow Hawk, Black Shouldered Kite, Shikra, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Common Kestrel, Open Bill Stork, Black Ibis, Bar Headed Goose, Black Strok,

Lesser Adjutant Strok, Brahminy Duck, Comb Duck, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Large Egret, Median Egret, Indian Shag, Purple Heron, Banded Bay Cuckoo, White-breasted Water Hen, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, River Tern, Painted Sand Grouse, Jungle Bush Quail, Indian Peafowl, Spotted Owlet,

Forest Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, House Sparrow, Indian Robbin, Indian Roller, Ruby Throat, Blue Throat, Black Redstart, Grey Tit, Common Stonechat, Brahminy Myna, Asian Pied Starling, House Crow,  Large-billed Crow, and many more.

Tadoba provides a varied experience in every season.

Tadoba National Park is open throughout the year {only Buffer Zones in Monsoon i.e 1st  July to 30th September} Best time to Visit Tadoba depends on what experience you are looking for.

The tropical climate makes winters the best season to visit Tadoba, winter starts in October and ends by February with pleasant climate and rich flora making it easier to spot animals during this season. This is also a good time to spot migratory birds.

Though the winters are not very cool in Tadoba the temperature ranges between 20°C and 30°C.  The refreshing breeze of winters also makes Tadoba a romantic getaway for couples.

Probability of sighting tigers is far more in Tadoba because of the number of tigers and the area.

The best season to sight tigers would be the hot months of summer which starts in March and lasts till May the hotter months of summer are April and May and is the time when the animals are seen due to the scarcity of water in the jungle.

The skies are clear in this season it is also a good time to spot birds.

Weather and Climate of Tadoba

After the scorching summers where the mercury rises up to 48 degrees, the arrival of the monsoon in June is a big relief. Though the climate becomes highly humid, the rains do not fail to revive the jungle.

As the rains make the terrain inaccessible the core zones of the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve are closed between July and September and only the buffer zone is open for tourists. The visit to Tadoba National Park in the monsoon is sheer bliss where you can witness a completely different Tadoba.

Winter is the ideal time to explore Tadoba with lush greenery around. Starting from October winter lasts till February. Though the winters are not very cool in Tadoba the temperature ranges between 20°C and 30°C.

You can easily reach Tadoba through road, air and rail transport. Tadoba does not have its own railway station or an airport, but the nearest railway station is Chandrapur Railway Station and the nearest airport is Dr Babasaheeb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur.