In search of Big Cat, Hyderabad to Tadoba drive

[Shekar]

This is about June 2016 travel to Tadoba Tiger reserve from Hyderabad. 

 

In Jan-2016 I had traveled Chopta and Munsiyari  in Uttarakand with another three new travelers met first time at Delhi. One of them Mr. Pandey is from Nagpur and he asked me to come down to Nagpur for visiting Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve and booked safari a couple of months before for 12th June 2016 . Till then I had no experience of any forest safary and I was excited to see many wild animals. Mean time our travel friends planned for Ladakh tour in the last week of June, 2016 (25-06-2016). It was one of the dream destination and I know it will be difficult and expensive if I go alone and said OK and booked flight/train to Delhi and back. Then started thinking  it will be hectic for two tours in two weeks. But Pandey who is also coming for Ladakh trip did not agree and made me to visit Tadoba.   

 

Day 1

On 11th June we started at 5.00 Hrs in my car from Hyderabad. My wife and son were with me. We are two drivers and had a back seat to sleep if needed. We reached Nirmal by 8.00 Hrs entered town leaving NH44 and had breakfast at Hotel Mayuri. Breakfast was good but when we had lunch next year, it was very bad. We joined NH44 through old NH7 road. Reached Nagpur by 13.00 Hrs and Pandey's home by 13.30. 

 

Roads up to Adilabad were excellent. Four lane work and Underpass works at Hingenghat (about 30 Kms) not completed and have to change lanes and pass through the villages. Road at places in this section also not good. After that till Nagpur roads are good. 

 

One more travelmate Mr. Jagtap from Betul (MP) who is mine safety officer in Western Coal Fields (WCF) and a native of Nagpur was supposed to join us with his family in his car. But due to some fire accident in a coal mine he could not join us. 

 

Our plan was to reach  WCF guest house at Murpar which is about 15 Kms away from Navegaon Gate of Tadoba Reserve and stay overnight and reach the gate early in the morning. 

 

We started from Nagpur at about 17.00 Hrs and reached Murpar by 19.45 Hrs. While entering Chandrapur district at Umred check-post, local police stopped our car for checking and found one whiskey bottle in our luggage which was kept by Pandey.

 

The police told me that alcohol  is banned in chandrapur district and we can not carry. I said I am from Hyderabad and I do not the local rules and never imagined that a particular district will have a ban.

 

He looked at Pandey in the car and asked he is from Maharashtra and how come he do not know. I said he does not know about it and i brought it my self. Some how he took away the bottle and allowed us to proceed further.  

 

So those who are travelling to Tadoba please do not carry alcohol. 

 

By the time we reached Chimur which is a little bigger town close to Navegaon Gate, it started drizzling and when we took right turn at Khadsangi for Murpar, heavy downpour started and visibility was hardly 20 mtrs in head lights. Left turn at Khadsangi will lead to Navegaon gate. Mr. Jagtap booked the guest house at WCF mine area, Murpar. We found one Telugu cook in the guest house and when we told him about Umred check post incident, he said we are too lucky to be let off, otherwise they arrest and harras for carrying alcohol. When we asked about dinner he said other than non veg, he will prepare any thing. Non Veg has to be brought from Chimur some 12 Kms away and it is not possible at that time and that too in heavy rain. We ordered roti, dal and sabji with omlets. 

 

Mean time me and pandey went to Khadsangi in the rain and enquired about safari vehicles. we were told that there is no need to book in advance and Gypsy cars will be available at the gate as per the serial and as many as permitted for the day/session. We had dinner and had good sleep. 

 

Day 2 

 

We got up early and reached Navegaon gate before 5.30 Hrs. We found only one car before us at the gate. We went to gate office and booked a safari car and engaged a Guide. Safari car is for Rs. 600 and Guide Rs.350 (That's what I remember). Sky is clear and we found water of previous night's rain on the roads pot holes. We entered the forest by 5.45. Our guide said it is always advantage of more sightings if your car is first and it proved correct. 

 

Myself with wife and kids of Pandey

 

The first site before entering the core area

 

 

Second sighting a glimpse of bear  

 

 

  Then a Jackal 

There were lot of birds and I could not shoot them as I do not have a proper lens. 

 

The same bear came out of the forest and crossed our path. 

We were told that Tiger will come here but after waiting enough time he did not turned up. 

 

There are many deers and Neelgai

 

Obviously not happy with our presence

 

Canter from Moharli gate 

Now many jeeps arrived and waiting at a water hole for the arrival of the Big Cat. 

 

But it did not show up and the our morning session ended. Little disappointed and our guide was telling us that people make more than six safaris and go back without seeing a Tiger. We had a booking for afternoon safari also. With a little hope we returned to our guest house. 

 

On the way back from morning safari

 

Padey with our Driver and Guide. 

 

Will continue with after noon Safari.. 

[Shekar]

We had returned to guest house around 10 and had our breakfast. Ordered food for lunch and went to bed to have some rest. Post lunch we packed our bags and reached Navegaon gate by 15.00 Hrs for afternoon safari. Timings are 15.00 Hrs to 18.00 Hrs. It was very hot now and the morning wetness on the ground disappeared. 

 

It was New Jeep and New Guide. We enquired about morning vehicle and guide and we were told that their serial will come on next day only. 

 

It was so hot that we could not see any animals on roads like we saw in the morning. 

 

We roamed and roamed in various directions. Our guide got a call from other guides about sighting of Tiger and by the time we rushed there it disappeared in to forest. 

 

Found some more birds at a water hole. 

\

 Then these

 

 

 

 

After shooting this cute one, we got information that a Tiger (I forgot the name of it) is sighted at a specific water hole. We rushed there and found a canter and a half a dozen jeeps are lined up in front of the water hole waiting for the Tiger to come. After waiting for some time at about 17.00 Hrs we gaot another message that the Tiger reached another water hole It was the same where we waited in the morning. By the time we reached there it was too crowded. More than 20 jeeps are there with big big cameras zooming out and clicking the BIg Cat. With great difficulty we squeezed in (Jeep) (None is allowed to get down from the jeeps. Not only here but during entire safari time. And at last we could see a Tiger taking rest in the pond after a belly fool of hunt. 

 

Around 17.30 all the vehicles came from other gates including Mohrali left the place as they have to travel more than 30 minutes to reach their gates. We had an advantage of short distance to Navegaon gate and we stayed up to 18.00 Hrs and left the place. 

 

I do not have proper Zoom Lens and the snaps of the Big Cat are not so good after more cropping. 

 

Here are few... 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the last one away from core area said bye bye to us. 

 

We started at about 18.15 from Navegaon gate and started for nagpur as I have to drop Pandey and his kids. Otherwise we can directly come to Hyderabad. We reached around 20.00 Hrs to Nagpur it rained again reducing our speed to 30 Kmph while reaching Nagpur. We stayed overnight at Nagpur and started after breakfast at 9.00 from Nagpur and reached Hyderabad by 16.00 Hrs. 

 

Summary

 

1. Navegaon Gate is the most nearer to the core area and one can reach the core area quickly and there will be more chances of animal sighting. 

2. Private resorts  like Tigers heaven Resort and Jharana Jungle Lodge are available when we visited in June 2016. Some more might have been added now. We did not stayed in any one of them hence no feed back. 

3. Unlike other gates, very limited vehicles are permitted from Navegaon gate. What I remembered is 10 in the morning and 10 in the Afternoon. 

4. Advance booking (Online) is best option. Direct entry (Booking at Gate) is possible only if permitted quota is not booked online which most unlikely. 

5. Private cars also permitted on condition that a forest guide is available in our car. I do not think it is wise as visibility to rear seat occupants is not good and one seat in the front is occupied by guide. It will be difficult to take photographs. None will be allowed to get down from car, 

6. We can directly reach Hinganghat on NH44 from Navegaon and the distance to Hyderabad will be about 530 Kms. Other option is via Chandrapur but quickest is Via Hinganghat. I am not aware of road condition between Navegaon to Hinganghat.   

7. Road between Nagpur to Navegaon gate is mostly two lane and very good up to Umred (Chandrapur dist border) and good beyond that. Total about 100 Kms. 

 

I would love to share any further information known to me. 

 

Hope I did not write too much. 

 

[Gowtham]

Beautiful pictures and very informative.
Thank you for sharing the information.

You are definitely lucky to spot so much wildlife in one safari. 

 

I know few people, who did not even spot a single wild life in the entire safari.

Summer is the perfect time to visit this place. 

 

During our safari around 2010~2011, we spotted a live hunt.
It was a great experience.

[sagar]

Excellent report @Shekar. Super informative and nice pictures too.. I think the name of the tiger is 'Meenakshi'  But, you have spotted a lot of wildlife I must say which is very unusual during the time of your visit.

April and May would be very perfect to expect the sighting of the big cat. Just that the chances are more than visits during the rest of the months.

[Naveen1]

Wow lovely pictures. Any cheap stay options available in Tadoba? 

[SK01]

On 3/17/2019 at 11:43 AM, Shekar said:

was so hot that we could not see any animals on roads like we saw in the morning. 

 

We roamed and roamed in various directions. Our guide got a call from other guides about sighting of Tiger and by the time we rushed there it disappeared in to forest. 

This reminds me of my trip last year. Wildlife experience is really beautiful one... I still can't forget those days in the forest. Last Safari, I spotted a Tigress with her cubs. Beautiful sight it was. Planning more and more trips this year and hope I do it. The pictures are beautiful and the trip report is awesome. What's your car and please attach guest House location and details. 

 

[sagar]

13 minutes ago, SK01 said:

This reminds me of my trip last year. Wildlife experience is really beautiful one...

 

You being a wildlife fanatic, should do Kanha National reserve drive or a Jim Corbett safari in next.  

[Gowtham]

20 hours ago, driveking said:

Wow lovely pictures. Any cheap stay options available in Tadoba? 

 

Most of the hotels are over priced around Tadoba. 
Don't expect value for money options. 

 

I'm not sure about the recent scenario. 

[RajG]

On 3/17/2019 at 11:43 AM, Shekar said:

Summary

 

Very neatly summarised.
 

On 3/17/2019 at 11:43 AM, Shekar said:

Navegaon Gate is the most nearer to the core area and one can reach the core area quickly and there will be more chances of animal sighting. 

 

This is the best gate to visit?

[sagar]

48 minutes ago, RajG said:

This is the best gate to visit?

 

The spotting is usually seen high at the Moharli gate to enter Tadoba. Refer to the thread below for more detailed information on the gates at Tadoba.

 

 

[Shekar]

On ‎3‎/‎18‎/‎2019 at 10:21 AM, Ranger said:

During our safari around 2010~2011, we spotted a live hunt.
It was a great experience.

 

Wow Lucky you. 

 

16 hours ago, sagar said:

The spotting is usually seen high at the Moharli gate to enter Tadoba. Refer to the thread below for more detailed information on the gates at Tadoba.

 

I am not expert in this subject, but what my Nagpur friends who frequent to Tadoba told me that Moharli gate is far off from Core area and too crowded. May be due to more stay options. 

 

On ‎3‎/‎19‎/‎2019 at 9:32 AM, sagar said:

You being a wildlife fanatic, should do Kanha National reserve drive or a Jim Corbett safari in next.

 

First I need to upgrade my photo gear, then I will plan those. 

 

On ‎3‎/‎19‎/‎2019 at 9:17 AM, SK01 said:

This reminds me of my trip last year. Wildlife experience is really beautiful one... I still can't forget those days in the forest. Last Safari, I spotted a Tigress with her cubs. Beautiful sight it was. Planning more and more trips this year and hope I do it. The pictures are beautiful and the trip report is awesome. What's your car and please attach guest House location and details. 

 

 

I own Toyota Etios GD since 2013 and I traveled a lot in it. It has clocked 97 K on Odo and I am just planning to replace it. The guest house belongs to Western Coal Field and only officers of WCF are permitted to book it. One of travel partner who was supposed to travel with us was Mine safety Officer in WCF and he booked it for us. 

 

The location is https://goo.gl/maps/brHMdoth4aL2

 

On ‎3‎/‎18‎/‎2019 at 1:09 PM, driveking said:

Wow lovely pictures. Any cheap stay options available in Tadoba? 

 

Yes all the resorts are expensive as far as I know. But I think there are some budget hotels at Chimur which is close to Navegaon gate.  

 

On ‎3‎/‎18‎/‎2019 at 11:49 AM, sagar said:

Excellent report @Shekar. Super informative and nice pictures too.. I think the name of the tiger is 'Meenakshi'  But, you have spotted a lot of wildlife I must say which is very unusual during the time of your visit.

April and May would be very perfect to expect the sighting of the big cat. Just that the chances are more than visits during the rest of the months.

 

Thank you @sagar, May be due to first rains in June first half, we could saw many animals. 

[SK01]

9 hours ago, Shekar said:

 

I own Toyota Etios GD since 2013 and I traveled a lot in it. It has clocked 97 K on Odo and I am just planning to replace it. The guest house belongs to Western Coal Field and only officers of WCF are permitted to book it. One of travel partner who was supposed to travel with us was Mine safety Officer in WCF and he booked it for us. 

 

The location is https://goo.gl/maps/brHMdoth4aL2

Thanks for the info @Shekar

Any pictures of the guest house? 

 

The joy of clocking 1l on the odo of our car is something else. I wanted to clock 1l on my WagonR. Clocked 70k kms in 3 years and later had to sell it to give way to the more powerful, safe and fun to drive Ford Freestyle. This time I want to clock the maximum number of kms given in the Ford Owners app i.e., 3l kms. Now it's 8k kms in 5 months. 

[Shekar]

On 3/20/2019 at 7:52 AM, SK01 said:

Any pictures of the guest house? 

I am not finding one