Author: Team Travelgiri

Chaprala is an animal haven that remains blissfully ensconced in the Chandrapur district of the forested region of Vidharba in Maharashtra. Despite its comparatively smaller forested zone, the sanctuary offers a rich variety of flora and fauna, seldom to be found anywhere else. Just visit this sanctuary on any weekend. You are sure to go back having seen some of the inhabitants of this forest. And if you are lucky, then you might even see the best of them, the Royal Bengal Tiger. There is a profusion of large hardwood trees such as teak, salai, arjun, mowha, bel, tendu, and others that grow within the sanctuary. The area is also dotted with numerous water bodies in the form of tanks, lakes and jheels that attract thousands of migratory birds during the season. Everything together makes a visit to the Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary a great travel plan for any weekend.

Located in the Tirora Range of the Bhandara Forest Divison in Bhandara Disrtct of Maharshtra, the Navegaon National Park was established in 1975. It is in the Vidarbha region, and remains one of the most beautiful forest reserves in the state. There are several natural lakes in the reserve that provide water for the denizens of the forest all through the year. These large water bodies enhance the charm of the park as well. Apart from ace predators like tigers and panthers that roam the forest, the park is also home to various species of mammals such as the wild boar, Indian bison (Gaur), spotted deer, sambar, blue bull or nilgai, sloth bear, wild dog and the spotted hyena. Large groups of langur monkeys are mostly found in the eastern side of the park. It is also home to many species of birds and reptiles.

Fancy a leopard sneaking into your garage at the dead of the night? Mind you, this is not happening in a forest rest shed situated in the heart of a wildlife reserve such as at Corbett or Kanha, but close to Sanjay Gandhi National Park, which is also known as the Borivali National Park. It borders the hustling and bustling metropolitan city of Mumbai. In fact, it is so close to Mumbai that you can go there on any weekend. Just plan a visit in the morning, and you could be there soon. The Park lies on the northern fringes of suburban Mumbai. It covers an area of 104 square kilometers. You will find wild animals here in their natural habitat. Sanjay Gandhi National Park is one of Asia’s most visited National Parks. More than 2 million visit every year.

The Vidharba region of Maharashtra is famous for lush green deciduous forests, thus being home to a variety of ungulates. These in turn attract prey animals such as tigers and leopards. No wonder that most of Maharashtra’s Tiger Reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries are located in this part of the state. In certain areas, more than one National Park or Wildlife Sanctuaries exist at close proximities. For instance, the Chandrapur district of Vidharba boasts not only of the state’s oldest and largest National Park, namely, the Tadoba Andheri Tiger Reserve, but also another smaller reserve, which is known as the Bhamragarh Wildlife Sanctuary. Bhamragarh is certainly smaller than Tadoba in size, but there’s everything here that you can find in Tadoba.

Wildlife Sanctuaries usually hold fewer animals as compared to their elder brothers, namely, the National Parks. This is true both in the number of animals and the range of species found. It is however different with the Bor Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is located in the foothills of the Satpura range in Maharashtrat. Bor Wildlife Sanctuary is quite a special one really, and for one very good reason too. This sanctuary works as a corridor between the Tadoba Andheri Tiger Reserve and the Pench Tiger Reserve. Some wildlife experts believe that the King (the Royal Bengal Tiger) prefers this area more than others. That’s a huge reason for visiting the Bor Wildlife Sanctuary.

Chikhaldara, or the Chikhaldara Wildlife Sanctuary is a nature lovers paradise. This sanctuary is located in the state’s Amravati District. Visiting Chikhaldara on a day trip is tough. You should spend at least a...

Situated in the southernmost part of the state of Maharashtra in India, Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is often described as a Green Oasis among the arid land on which it sprawls. Even though locked in the arms of nature, the Sanctuary is adorned with picture-postcard landscape, luxuriant vegetation and varied wildlife specimens. All of this is grouped together to form a living outdoor museum which is a feast for the eyes. Just spend a weekend here. You are sure to love your experience of the great outdoors. The hilly terrain and the greenery will please your eyes. Not only can you see a variety of wildlife, but you are sure to go back to your city way of life feeling completely recharged. That is a huge accomplishment.

The Tadoba National Park was created in 1955. It covers an area of 116.55 square kilometers. Tadoba National Park, Andheri Wildlife Sanctuary and the Tadoba Andheri Reserve together make it the largest national park in Maharashtra. Tadoba National Park is so important to the state, that it is often called the “Jewel of Vidharbha”. If you are a wildlife enthusiast you should certainly visit this national park. You should come here if you are a photographer as well – you will find plenty of “Kodak Moments”. It is a great weekend destination even for those who are seeking peace and solitude. Sure enough, there are plenty of reasons for visiting the Tadoba National Park.

Around 60 kilometers from the city of Kolhapur and situated at a height of 3.940 feet in Maharashtra, the Dajipur wildlife sanctuary is best known for great herds of gaur that are commonly misnamed as bison. The evergreen forest which originally served as the hunting resort of the erstwhile ruler of Kolhapur has now been declared a wildlife sanctuary.