My Tadoba Diary

I made a solo trip to the Tadoba tiger reserve in last weekend of January'2018 (25th to 27th Jan). Here I will try to narrate my experience in as much interesting way as possible. If I can inspire 5 people to pack their bags for their next jungle trip to Tadoba, my purpose of writing this blog will be served.

A typical sight in Tadoba

First, a little bit of geography about the reserve, the entire forest is really huge, spread over an area of 650 sq kilometers, its divided into 6 core and 6 buffer zones. Chances of spotting a tiger are always more in the core zone than in buffer. You won't be able to remember the gate-names for all of them - but two main gates are the following

• Moharli Gate - Lies on the south of the park and
• Kolara Gate - Lies on the extreme north side of the park

Both the gates are at pretty much of distance (~100 kms) from each other, you need to decide first which gate you want to use to enter the park. You will need a permit to enter into the park, its always better to have a permit before you visit the park in the peak time of the year (Oct to Jan period), even though spot bookings are available, but they are only for buffer zones, not for the core. As of Jan-2018, a safari permit will cost you 600 rs, with 200 rs for camera and 50 rs as online charge - a total of 850 rs for one permit. You can include 6 persons's name including you for one safari trip. This payment only constitutes the permit - nothing else requires. For information about the gates, park timing, charges and availability at all the gates, you can visit the Maharashtra govt eco-tourism portal. This site will give you the links for safari and accommodation booking.

Dormitory in the resort

After safari booking, little bit about the lodging and accommodation. If you are coming from the Kolara gate, which I also visited from, you can choose Kolara FDCM resort as your best option to stay. This place offers both luxurious and budget stay. You can get A/C cottages for family stay at Rs 2600/-, or you can book a dormitory bed at Rs 350/-. Single bed booking for a dormitory cannot be done online, for that you have to talk to the resort first and inform them you are coming there on so and so date, they will make one or two beds available for you. You can get good foods at the same place, non-veg food if you want, you need to inform the canteen guys before. If you want to enjoy chicken curry with your family in the night, you need to inform the canteen guys in the morning.

Kolara FDCM board

Chandrapur rail station

About the travel, if you want to avail the public transport, then the best option is to reach Chandrapur rail station in Maharashtra (Station Code CD), walk to the bus-stand, take a bus to Chimur - 80 kms from Chandrapur. Then from Chimur, reach Kolara resort by hiring an auto-rickshaw. From Chandrapur, you can reach Kolara resort in 3.5-4 hours of time, by spending 300 rupees.

Encounter with the wildlife

This is why you spend so much money and planning right - your sole purpose of visiting a jungle is to enjoy the wildlife, the other bookings and payments are only prologues. Here are some of the pictures from the trip.

Leaves 

Spotted this peculiar-shaped tree from a distance

This is called a "barking deer"

A pool of cattle

While waiting for a glimpse of the tiger

horn-shaped wood

journey back to resort

"Maya" with her two babies

For safari, there are 2 slots available - one in the early morning (6 o clock), the other in the afternoon (2:30 pm) - safari are of 4 hours duration. Here goes a pic of my safari team - it was chilling cold (temp in 10-12 degree celcius) in a hood-less zip, and you need a lot of cover around your head and neck to stay fit.

Safari Team

The last tiger picture which I shared was taken by one of the wild-enthusiast Nikhil Abhyankar, even though I could also see a tiger, but I couldn't capture it well in my camera. The tiger above is named "Maya", she has given birth to 3 cute babies very recently. You can watch the video online in youtube, see it and you will fall in love with those 2 little cubs, they look so cute in yellow with white and black marks in between. 

Some of the good learnings from this trip, I can put it in summary

• You need sheer luck to spot a tiger, there were some group of boys who took 6 safari rides one after another to get a glimpse of a tiger, but they couldn't.
• Spotting a tiger in an early morning trip is always more than an afternoon trip. As the animals come down to nearby ponds to drink water, but this also is not true always, specially not for a tiger, as he is the king of the jungle. But if you have two safari options to choose from, always prefer a morning one.
• Its not bad to go on a trip alone and without any proper travel plans. You are definitely going to make some new friends in the tour.
• To keep your budget within limit, always choose public transport and budget stay. I have wrapped up the trip within Rs 5500/-. I consider its reasonable.
• For a big forest like Tadoba, if you are planning for a next visit, prefer the same place which you have taken last time. If I go to tadoba again, I will prefer Kolara gate and the same resort. As it appears, I know that side of the jungle better than the other side.

So the readers, when are you packing your bags for Tadoba. You will definitely cherish the memories if you visit the place once. Thanks for reading my story. Don't forget to put back your comments.