Tadoba-Andhari jungle safari to resume on October 1 after monsoon break

The tourist safari at Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur, closed for the monsoon season, is set to resume on October 1. Visitors, wildlife photographers and nature lovers will get to see the reserve's forests turned lush green after the rains. Even before the safari reopens, tourists have shown strong interest, with several safari slots for November and December already booked.

Tourism in the core area of the forest is kept closed during the monsoon to protect the natural ecosystem, allow the breeding season of wildlife to proceed undisturbed, and enable forest department management work. After the break, the forest is now ready to welcome tourists again. The rains have brought new life to Tadoba's grasslands, water sources, bamboo thickets and vegetation, so visitors this season will see the reserve looking green and beautiful. Tourists can explore the forest through the safari entry gates. Besides tigers, the Tadoba area is also home to leopards, bears, wild dogs, sambar, chital, gaur and various birds and other wildlife.

After the rains, the movement of wildlife increases around the forest's ponds, waterholes and grasslands. This makes the tourism season starting in October a major attraction for wildlife enthusiasts, who will get the chance to experience Tadoba's rich biodiversity along with tiger sightings. The response from tourists for the safari has been very good, and bookings for the coming November and December months have also seen a strong response. This has created excitement among hotels, resorts, drivers, guides and local businesses linked to the tourism trade.

Tadoba has a total of 22 safari gates, of which 16 are in the buffer zone and 6 are in the core zone. The main core entry gates in Tadoba's tourism system include Mohurli, Kolara, Khutwanda, Navegaon, Pangdi and Zari. Tourists can also enjoy the safari through separate gates in the buffer area at Mohurli, Kolara, Navegaon and Pangdi-Zari.

Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve's field director, Dr Prabhunath Shukla, said the safari would resume on October 1 and that visitors must fully follow the forest department's prescribed rules, timings and guide instructions during the safari. He said providing tourists a safe and nature-friendly experience is the forest department's main objective. This year, to assist foreign tourists, 20 guides have been trained in German and 20 in French. He also said safaris should be booked only through the forest department's official website.