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I’ve been fortunate to have sighted some magnificent wild animals during my 3 wildlife safaris in south India — Bandipur, Mudumalai and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuaries. However, until this point, I hadn’t caught a glimpse of the big cat yet.
So just as summer was about to bid adieu, one of my best friends and I decided to explore Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, currently home to around 20 tigers, including several cubs.
Located in Maharashtra, very close to the Telangana border, Tipeshwar is just a 6.5 hours drive away from my city, making it one of the best getaways from Hyderabad. However, with relaxed breakfast & lunch stops, and thanks to the newly built Kashmir-Kanyakumari highway (NH 44), we reached Tipeshwar in about 8.5 hours after a smooth and scenic drive.
Completely surrounded by lush green and earthy brown shrub lands and no sight of human occupancy anywhere close by, we checked into a heritage farm stay, with huge hopes of sighting a tiger the next morning.
Did I get to see a tiger here finally? How did the safari experience at Tipeshwar Wildlife Safari turn out? Was the long drive and trip worth it? I will take you through it all in this article.
Contents
Best Parts About Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
# The educative guided safari
A naturalist guide had accompanied us during our safari, which is mandatory in this forest. He informed that the tigers consider these green-colored safari jeeps a part of the forest. That is why even a single case of attack on the jeeps hasn’t been reported here so far, offering a beautiful example of coexistence.
We realized the tigers don’t consider us a threat as long as we watch them quietly and not try to harm them. The guide narrated a few other stories of tiger cub sightings & how the babies have no qualms about coming close to the jeep’s wheels and playing around them.
We also learnt from him how each tiger marks their territories, loves feeding on deers, and how the langurs help the deers escape whenever a tiger is close by with a special alarm sound.
Learning such fascinating facts about the flora and fauna of this jungle wouldn’t have been possible without a dedicated guide. This made the safari here all the more informative and educational, which had not been possible during my previous bus safari experiences.
# The tiger sighting!
This moment was truly spellbinding and magical! We were more than halfway through our 4-hour-long safari and on the verge of losing hope of sighting a tiger. Just then, we found a group of jeeps clustered near a pond ahead of us.
As our jeep got closer to the spot, there it was – a resplendent female tiger by the pond! She seemed completely unperturbed by all the jeeps that were gathered there just to look at her.
A few minutes later, she got up and slowly started walking away without a single roar or side eye. It was one of the most royal and elegant walks I had ever seen! My eyes got watery and I was overwhelmed to see this gorgeous animal walk away into the deeper jungle with my naked eyes.
Even after that moment was over, I was imagining seeing a tiger walking behind the bushes, though there was actually none. It almost felt like the tiger had cast a spell on me!
# The sparse forest — increasing chances of sightings
Another highlight of the safari at Tipeshwar is that the forest is not very dense, unlike those in south India. Thus, you can easily spot the animals in the undulating terrains, even if they are at a distance. We could spot several deers, peacocks, langurs and exotic birds during the safari, apart from the tiger.
Also, the sanctuary is smaller (148.63 square kilometers) and lesser known compared to the other popular national parks in Maharashtra, like Tadoba and Pench. Thus, you will not see huge crowds here.
Did You Know?
As per the 2014 census, there were just 2 tigers in Tipeshwar. But the current number has increased to 20, which is testament to the consistent conservation and habitat preservation efforts of the forest department. This has also been leading to a slow rise in tourist influx here.
Details Of Safari At Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
Timings: The 4 hours safari at Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is available in 2 time slots everyday. During summer, morning slots are between 5.30 AM and 9.30 AM, while afternoon slots are between 3.00 AM and 7.00 AM.
The timings differ slightly during Winters in coordination with sunrise and sunset. The forest is closed on Tuesdays and on days when it rains heavily.
Bookings: Book your safari online well in advance, as the local forest department has kept a limit to the number of jeeps allowed per slot. Thus, you might not want to rely on booking physically after you reach, as there are high chances of not getting a ticket at the last minute.
You will need to submit a copy of your ID proof to make the booking and carry the same ID proof to the safari. For foreign tourists, a copy of passport is a must for the booking.
Entry gates: Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary has 3 entry gates that are well connected to various parts of Maharashtra and Telangana by road. If you’re coming from Chandrapur, Hyderabad or other parts of Telangana, you can book your safari from the new Kodori gate. For those coming from Mumbai, Pune, Nashik or Aurangabad, you can book your ticket from the Mathani gate. Sunna gate is ideal if you’re coming from or via Nagpur or Amravati.
Vehicle options: Open jeeps are the main vehicles that operate in the Tipeshwar safaris. However, there is a forest department bus as well that can be booked at the forest gate after you reach, based on availability.
Look out for: Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is home to tigers, leopards, bears, langurs, deers, peacocks and many species of exotic birds that are easily visible during the safari.
Things to carry: ID proof, water bottle, snacks, emergency medicines, binoculars, face mask to protect yourself from dust, and a bag to store waste.
Ticket price: The safari costs INR 4000 per jeep for both Indian and foreign tourists and the guide charges INR 350. The bus safari costs INR 600. If you’re carrying a camera, you will be charged an additional INR 200 for point & shoot camera and INR 400 for DSLR.
TWT Tip: It’s a good idea to book both morning and evening slots if you’re not in a hurry and if budget is not a concern. Two visits can increase your chances of tiger sightings and leave less room for disappointment. However, always remember that animal sightings are purely a matter of luck at national parks.
Places To Visit Near Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
Though Tipeshwar must be visited exclusively for wildlife safaris and there are not too many other things to do here, there are several places within a 3-9 hours drive that you can cover during your trip. These include:
The most ideal way to reach Tipeshwar is by your own car or taxi. Alternatively, you can take a bus to the Pandharkawada Bus Stand. The nearest railway stations to Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is in Adilabad, followed by Amravati and Badnera. In case you are looking for flight connectivity, the nearest airport is in Nagpur.
TWT Tip: I highly recommend that you visit Tipeshwar with all your essentials, medicines and snacks, as we couldn’t find a single shop or eatery near the sanctuary. We only had to rely on our resort for meals.
Precautions To Keep In Mind At Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
Like any other national park, you need to keep a few rules and regulations in mind before you go for a wildlife safari. The most crucial ones are:
Do not get down from your safari jeep at any point.
Never make loud noises and remain silent throughout the ride.
Do not throw any plastic or trash in the jungle. Store waste in your bag till you find a dustbin.
A few tribal villages still exist in the inner parts of the forest where tourists are restricted. Refrain from requesting your safari driver to take you there by breaking laws.
Do not try to feed any animal during your safari.
Refrain from entering the jungle in your own vehicles. Only safari jeeps are allowed inside the forest.
Never disturb or tease any animal.
All the laws described under the Wildlife Protection Act are applicable in the national park.
If you’re going for the safari early in the morning on an empty stomach, keep some nuts or quick snack in your bag as the rides are usually for 4 hours and you will find a refreshment point only at the end of the safari. Carry water as well along with you.
If you’re going for the evening slot, it’s advisable to finish your lunch at least 2 hours before the safari, as the ride can be quite bumpy.
Ideal Time To Visit Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
The best time to visit Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary or any other tiger reserve is the summer months — March to May. Even though it can be extremely hot and humid during this season, this is when the tigers come more often towards the water bodies, increasing your chances of sighting them.
Alternatively, you can also visit in winters as the weather is more pleasant. However, tiger sightings are rare in Winter as per our guide.
The sanctuary is closed on heavy rain days for safety reasons. Thus, the monsoon season is not an ideal time to visit the forest. Remember that the forest remains closed every tuesday.
Get Travel Ready With All The Essentials For Your Next Trip! Photo: Mokobara Suitcase
Where Can You Stay At Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary?
As tourism has not fully picked up here yet, Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is surrounded by a limited number of wildlife resorts, small hotels and nature stays. We stayed at Anant Heritage Agro Tourism, a beautiful farm stay with all the basic amenities, including a children’s play area, local cuisine, farm tour and air conditioning.
Some of the other accommodation options in Tipeshwar are:
Tipai – Wildlife Luxuries
Avani Tiger Resort
Sur Bahar Homestay
Hotel Mauli Residency
Hotel Rahul
Roaor Farm Stay
Sitaram Agro Tourism
TWT Summary Of Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is truly a hidden gem and biodiversity hotspot in Maharashtra with a relatively lesser crowd, compared to most other tiger reserves.
Also, dedicated naturalist guides for each jeep explain in detail about the forest ecosystem, how the jungle’s ecological balance is maintained, and intriguing stories about the big cats. These factors enhance the overall experience of a safari here.
And most importantly, the presence of 20 tigers in the jungle strengthens your chances of sighting them, making your entire trip worthwhile. Watching a tiger here with my naked eyes was one of my most enchanting and unforgettable travel experiences till date!
Frequently Asked Questions About Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
1. Where is Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary?
Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Pandharkawada taluka of Yavatmal district in Maharashtra. It is in close proximity to the Telangana border, just 370 kilometers from Hyderabad, and 180 kilometers from Nagpur.
2. Which animals can be seen at Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary?
Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is home to tigers, hyenas, bears, peacocks, chital deers, black bucks, leopards and several other animals. Depending on your luck, you can see one or more of these animals here.
3. Does Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary offer guides during safaris?
Yes, Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary has expert guides who accompany every safari jeep and explain about the forest ecosystem and biodiversity. They also answer all your questions patiently.
Sharmistha, who also happens to be our founder, is an award-winning alumna of the Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media. During her 10-year stint as a journalist, she has worked for major newspapers, including the Times of India & The New Indian Express. She is also a certified travel writer, trained by the bestselling author Dave Fox and award-winning sustainable travel writer Shivya Nath. Sharmistha has traveled to over 25 destinations within India so far. Read More
