Often referred as ‘Jewel of Vidharba’, the Tadoba national park is Maharashtra’s oldest national park. This 116.55 sq km park lies in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra.
Tadoba national park was started in 1955 and it was named after a local deity Taru, venerated by the tribals. According to mythology, Taru was a village head who was killed in encounter with a tiger. The shrine dedicated to God Taru, is located on the banks of the Tadoba lake.
The park was declared a Project Tiger reserve in 1993. It is one of the best tiger reserves of India as tiger population has increased rapidly. Tadoba National Park and Andhari wildlife sanctuary together form the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
For the convenience of tourists, jungle safaris are organized to facilitate tiger spotting.
Apart from tigers, you can also spot leopards, gaur, wild dogs, sloth bears, jungle cats, hyenas, sambar, cheetal, nilgai and barking deer. The park is also home to about 181 species of birds, which includes endangered and water birds. One can also spot marsh crocodiles and migratory ducks around the Tadoba lake.
Tadoba tiger reserve has high rate of man tiger conflict. Several instances have also been reported of wildlife killing domestic livestock.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN TADOBA NATIONAL PARK
Accommodation options are plenty. You will find five rest houses in the park. State-run MTDC also operates lodges for the tourists. The lodges are open throughout the year. Some of the lodges offer vantage points to spot the wildlife.
BEST PLACES TO EAT IN TADOBA NATIONAL PARK
Restaurants managed by MTDC are available. Its best to carry food and water while exploring the park.
BEST TIME TO VISIT TADOBA NATIONAL PARK
The average minimum and maximum temperature of Tadoba National Park is as given below. The best time to visit Tadoba National Park is also specified.
| MONTH | BEST TIME | | MIN. TEMP (°C) | MAX. TEMP (°C) |
| January | | | 20.5 | 30 |
| February | Best time | | 20.5 | 30 |
| March | Best time | | 25 | 32 |
| April | Best time | | 25 | 32 |
| May | Best time | | 25 | 32 |
| June | | | 25 | 32 |
| July | | | 25 | 32 |
| August | | | 25 | 32 |
| September | | | 25 | 32 |
| October | | | 25 | 32 |
| November | | | 20.5 | 30 |
| December | | | 20.5 | 30 |