6 Famous Tiger Reserves to Visit in Maharashtra

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If you are a high-spirited explorer, Maharashtra is the place for you. You can explore monuments, beaches, world heritage sites, caves, river banks, wildlife reserves, forest areas, tiger reserves, and religious pilgrimage. Regardless, Maharashtra deserves a special mention if you are looking for an option to explore wildlife.

To know more about the 6 tiger reserves in Maharashtra, continue reading!

The list of tiger reserves where you can opt for tiger safari in Maharashtra includes:

1. Tadoba Andhari Tiger Project

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In India, one of the most renowned destinations for tiger safari is located in Tadoba. Besides its lush forest, this reserve houses a large number of tigers, and you can witness a few cubs. You can easily spot tigers here, and if you are lucky, a few tiger cubs can also greet you!

• Area Covered: 625.4 square kilometres.
• Best Time to Visit: October to June.
• Operational Hours: 6 AM to 11 AM and 2 PM to 6 PM.
• Distance from the Airport: 136 km from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport
• Entry Fee:
  • Indian visitors: ₹20
  • International visitors: ₹1200
• How to reach: Travel to Chandrapur Railway Station or Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport and then find buses or cabs to this park.

2. Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary

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Located 60 km from Bhandara and 58 km from Nagpur, Umred Karhandla Sanctuary is a treat for tiger lovers. This place is home to tigers, wild dogs, gaur, pangolins, flying squirrels, and honey badgers. It has witnessed an upsurge in tourist influx, as tigers are often visible here! Do not miss out on this sanctuary if you enjoy exploring wildlife.

• Area Covered: 189 square kilometres.
• Best Time to Visit: October to June
• Operational Hours: 6 AM to 8 AM and 2.30 PM to 4.30 PM.
• Distance from the Airport:  57.9 km from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport
• Entry Fee:
• Indian adults: ₹80-₹90
  • Indian children: ₹30-₹35
  • Foreigners: ₹160-₹180
• How to reach: First, travel to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport and then take a bus or cab to this sanctuary.

3. Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary

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Koyna Sanctuary is often found in the tour guides of Maharashtra. This sanctuary is located in the Satara district and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you can expect a glimpse of Indian leopards, common grey langurs, mouse deer, Bengal tigers, sloth bears, Indian giant squirrels and sambar deer.

• Area Covered: 423.6 square kilometres
• Best Time to Visit: October to June.
• Operational Hours: 7 AM to 6 PM.
• Distance from the Airport:  207 km from Kolhapur airport
• Entry Fee: ₹20
• How to reach: You can visit this sanctuary by arriving at Kolhapur airport and then taking buses.

4. Pench Tiger Reserve & National Park

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Pench National Park is a premium tiger reserve in India, spread shared by Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Besides its extraordinary thriving flora and fauna, you can witness River Pench flowing from North to South inside this park. Although the tiger population is not high compared to other parks, this is certainly an idyllic place to explore.

• Area Covered: 292.85 square kilometres.
• Best Time to Visit: November to April
• Operational Hours:  6 AM to 11.30 AM and 3 PM to 6.00 PM.
• Distance from the Airport:  87.5 km from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport
• Entry Fee:
  • Indian visitors: ₹15
  • Foreign visitors: ₹150
• How to reach: After reaching Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, take buses or cabs to this sanctuary.

5. Nawegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve

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Nawegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve is located at the heart of the central Indian Tiger landscape. This tiger sanctuary in Maharashtra is also the 5th tiger reserve in Maharashtra. Besides tigers, you can see animals such as Wild boars, panthers, Jackals, Palm civets, Bisons, Nilgais, Sambars, Chitals, and Sloth Bears.

• Area Covered: 133.88 square kilometres.
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Operational Hours: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Distance from the Airport:  98.4 km from Birsi Airport, Gondia
• Entry Fee: ₹30 to ₹150
• How to reach: Travel to Tirora Railway Station or Birsi Airport to get buses that can help you reach this sanctuary.

6. Sahayadri Tiger Reserve

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This tiger reserve is formed by merging three tiger reserves namely Koyna, Chandoli, and Radhanagari. Sahayadri Tiger Reserve is a lush evergreen, moist deciduous forest, with bustling flora and fauna.

Since its declaration as a tiger reserve in 2008, it has attracted a large number of tourists. You can spot Bengal tiger, Indian leopards and besides this expect gaur, four-horned antelope, giant squirrel, etc.

• Area Covered: 1,166 square kilometres.
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Operational Hours: Not Found
• Distance from the Airport:  137 km from Kolhapur Airport
• Entry Fee: ₹30
• How to reach: From Kolhapur Airport, you can get buses and cabs to this sanctuary.