If you’re someone who’s curious to know what Tadoba is all about, then let me tell you that this park is truly a Wild World. It’s a forest which is located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, one of the largest and most wildlife-rich states of India. It’s not just a forest, this park is home to powerful Bengal tigers, mysterious leopards, sloth bears, Indian gaurs, wild dogs, hyenas, sambar deer, spotted deer, and over 280 species of birds, along with a lot of reptiles.

This is a protected sanctuary made especially for animals to live freely. The park is a part of the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, which covers a huge area of 625.4 km², and within that, Tadoba National Park alone spreads over 116.55 km². One can see dense forests, open grasslands, beautiful lakes, and rivers like the “Andhari” which flows through this huge park. This sanctuary has been named after a local tribal god, “Taru,” who is worshipped by the locals, and “Andhari” comes from the river.

Now, it’s time for a conservation success story. So, once upon a time, the forests of Tadoba were not known as a tiger reserve - they were the hunting grounds. Yes, you heard it right, this park, which is a protected area for animals, was once a hunting ground. But slowly, the people living around realized the true value of the wildlife and nature. And that’s when the beautiful journey of conservation began.

Let’s go back in time to 1879, when the Tadoba was first declared as a reserved forest. Back then, forests were protected mainly for the trees and little thought was given to the wildlife. Then in 1905, a major change took place. Tiger hunting was banned, but not fully. Special permits were given to people, and some still enjoyed hunting at that time. In 1931, the rules regarding the hunting of animals became stricter, and the activity of hunting was restricted. Not just the tigers, but hunting of any animal was restricted at this time.

Finally, in 1935, people started to take wildlife conservation seriously, and around 45 sq km near Tadoba Lake was declared a sanctuary. The wildlife conservation efforts were started, but hunting wasn’t over yet. In 1942, the area was turned into a game reserve, where hunting was allowed in specific zones like Moharli, Karwa, Kalsa, and Mul. With permits, even tigers were still being hunted.

The big turning point was in 1955, which was the beginning of Tadoba's real transformation. In this year, the Tadoba was officially declared a National Park. This was a huge step for wildlife protection and made Tadoba one of the first national parks in India, along with Kanha. But change takes time. Hunting zones remained for a while, and illegal hunting quietly continued in some corners. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the designated hunting blocks were finally shut down.

Visiting Tadoba National Park is an experience in itself. It’s a wild, raw, and magical spot that brings people closer to nature and wildlife. Visiting Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve would be best for you if you love wildlife, peace, adventure, nature, or just want a break from city life. Still wondering why, let’s know why you should visit this park:

1. Best spot for tiger spotting

This park is one of the best spots for spotting tigers. This park is home to 115 tigers, and this large population makes it one of the top tiger reserves in India. Here, the tigers can be seen crossing safari routes or resting near the water hotel. Tadoba gives a real chance to spot a tiger with your own eyes. Along with tigers, you can also see leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, hyenas, and many species of birds.

2. Provides Peaceful Experience

This park is the perfect spot to experience the natural vibes and enjoy some peaceful time. It’s a living and breathing forest which is covered with dense teak and bamboo trees, open grasslands, lakes, rivers, and hills. The calmness and natural smell of the forest, along with the sounds of birds, will make your visit a memorable one.

3. Offers Thrilling Safari

A safari in Tadoba is the best way to explore this jungle. You can go for a morning or evening gypsy safari ride inside this wild forest and explore the different zones of this park. A trained driver and an expert guide will accompany you for the safari, who will make your safari ride safe and informative.

4. You’ll Support Conservation

By making an online Tadoba Safari booking, you’re directly supporting conservation efforts. The park uses the money from eco-tourism to pay forest guards, fund anti-poaching efforts, and protect both animals and their habitats. You also help local communities, as many of them work as guides, drivers, resort staff, or run the local businesses here.

5. Best for Wildlife Photography

Tadoba is full of Instagram-worthy shots. If you come here early morning, then you can capture a tiger yawning in the wild, or you might catch a shot of a peacock dancing. You can even take snaps of deer crossing the safari route or the amazing leopards in the leaves. You can even take some nice shots of beautiful or rare bird species here.