The enchanting Tadoba National Park is blessed with diverse habitats consisting of mahua trees, glorious grasslands, dense bamboo forests, large pristine lakes and rugged mountainous terrains. Situated in the state of Maharashtra, Tadoba nurtures some stunning species of wildlife! It is a major tourist attraction, luring the likes of wildlife lovers and first-timers alike to make their Tadoba safari booking and venture to explore the ancient forests!
The park provides refuge to a wide range of species, such as tigers, leopards, jungle cats, sloth bears, striped hyenas, chousinghas and is home to over 200 magical bird species too! These wild denizens beckon people to go on a Tadoba safari and they seldom fail to amaze visitors!
Let us now break down the Tadoba safari booking process and go through all the available options.
Tadoba Safari Options
The dry deciduous forests of Tadoba are one of the few places on earth to spot multiple tiger families in a single safari! A Tadoba safari is the means to explore this timeless land in all its glory, grandeur and greatness. Be it on a jeep or a canter, a Tadoba safari is truly an exhilarating experience. Following the rustic forest path, scanning every shrub and open grassland, straining one’s ears to catch a distant alarm call of a distressed herbivore and finally catching a big cat trail - one can expect all this on a Tadoba safari.
1. Jeep safari in Tadoba
A jeep safari in Tadoba is arguably the best and most comfortable way to experience its wildlife and natural beauty. A jeep’s seating capacity is for a maximum of only six people so one can sit comfortably and witness wildlife from up-close.
The other benefit is that photographers have ample space to manoeuvre their telephoto lenses and make some incredible frames. Unlike the canter, the jeep is open like a convertible, so one can feel the invigorating cool breeze all along the way and breathe the freshness of the soil.
Moreover, one has maximum opportunities to sight an animal or any signs of one on the ground or in the canopy, in front or behind and on either side! All in all, a jeep safari in Tadoba is a truly unique and intoxicating experience to be had at least once in one’s lifetime!
2. Canter safari in Tadoba
One can also explore the captivating woods of Tadoba in a canter. If one is on a tight budget or travelling in a large group of over 15 people, a canter safari in Tadoba is the go-to option.
However, in a canter safari, one’s range of vision is limited as compared to a jeep safari and one can observe the jungle mainly through the window beside one’s seat.
The canter safari is not ideally suited for avid nature lovers and enthusiastic wildlife photographers. But for children on school trips or a large group of people who just want to witness wildlife and have a first taste of the forest, a canter safari in Tadoba is a thrilling experience.
Tadoba Safari Cost
Now that we have clearly chalked out the different options, let us look at the Tadoba safari cost and how to go about making a Tadoba safari booking.
The Tadoba safari cost varies depending on which type of vehicle one chooses. The jeep safari and the canter safari are both three and half hour to four-hour-long ventures into the forest that occur twice a day. The safari timings vary depending on the season you visit Tadoba.
The jeep safari costs roughly Rs.4000 on weekdays and about Rs. 8000 on the weekends. The safari has to be booked about 120 - 60 days prior to the actual visit and the cost is divided by the number of people on safari (max 6).
The canter safari costs about Rs.400 per head. However, one cannot book this ride online and has to either visit the office of DFO in Chandrapur or do a spot booking at the Moharli gate. The canter system rolls on a first come first serve basis.
The full-day Tadoba safari cost is much higher than the regular safaris. But, this kind of ride comes with several advantages. For more details, read our blog “Full-day vs regular safari in Tadoba”.
How to Make a Tadoba Safari Booking?
One of the most frequently asked questions by tourists is ‘how to book a Tadoba safari?’ There are multiple ways in which one can make a Tadoba safari booking. If the resort one is staying at is associated with the forest department, one’s resort can help one book one’s jeep safari(s). Usually, its expenses will be included in the resort’s tariff.
For booking one’s seat on a canter safari, one has to purchase a ticket from the Forest Department booking counter present just outside the main entrance of the Moharli zone of the Tadoba National Park. These counters open about 30 minutes before the start of the safaris, and hence punctuality is crucial to make the bookings and enter the forest on time.
However, one can escape this tedious process and book one’s seat on a jeep safari well in advance via online platforms. This service unfortunately is still unavailable for canter safaris.
Making a Tadoba Safari Booking Online
Quite recently, the Maharashtra Forest Department has launched an online portal to facilitate Tadoba safari bookings. One can easily book a Tadoba safari from this site - https://www.tadobaandharinationalpark.com/ This online addition really helps tourists, allowing them to book safaris from the comfort of their home and within just seconds, instead of the previous method of standing and waiting in queues for long hours to fetch a ticket from the counter.
Steps to Make Your Tadoba Safari Booking:
- Visit the official website of the Maharashtra forest department, which is https://www.tadobaandharinationalpark.com/
- Click on the ‘online safari booking’ heading on the website
- Fill out the chart and provide the relevant details asked for
- Crosscheck all the details provided
- Submit the form
- Proceed to make your payment
The same document number as entered on the website while making the online booking has to be in hand at the time of one’s Tadoba safari.
Summarising the Tadoba Safari Booking Process
Spotting the magnificent species of wildlife against Tadoba’s breathtaking landscapes are extraordinary sights to behold! The different Tadoba safari mode options make the forests more accessible to everyone and promise a cherishable experience to all. The jeep and canter safari take one through the winding forest paths and one can spot the many animals and birds that call this park home.
The process of booking jeep safaris in Tadoba has been simplified thanks to the online portal provided by the Maharashtra government. If one is staying in a resort associated with the forest department, one’s booking is taken care of by them and one has a hassle-free most wonderful experience.
The teeming wildlife in Tadoba is sure to leave one spellbound! It is a perfect getaway from the hustle-bustle of city life and one can feel completely rejuvenated within 24 hours! Tadoba welcomes everyone with open arms and most often, one leaves with a piece of its heart!
