WILD MAHARASHTRA 

Pench tiger reserve:

Pench National Park or Tiger Reserve is one of the premier tiger reserves of India and the only one to straddle across two states - Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Ordinarily, the reference to Pench is mostly always to the tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh (M.P).

The portion of the reserve that is in Madhya Pradesh is nestled in the southern slopes of the Satpura range of Central India. Pench Tiger Reserve comprises the Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park, the Pench Mowgli Sanctuary and a buffer. It derives its name from its life line-the River Pench. A total protected region of over 1920 sq.km.

As of May 2017, the number of tigers in Pench Tiger Reserve has increased up to 44 as compared to 31 in 2016. From this numbered estimate, 22 are males and 22 are females. This estimate does not include the number of cubs present, which are assumed to be about 7 - 8. The fictional works of Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book, are set in the region. Kipling himself never visited the area, instead basing his descriptions on other locations in India.

The carnivore fauna is represented by the tiger (Panthera tigris), leopard (Panthera pardus), dhole (Cuon alpinus), jungle cat (Felis chaus), and small Indian civet (Viverricula indica). Wolves (Canis lupus) occur on the fringes and outside the Reserve limits. Striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), golden jackal (Canis aureus), and common palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) make up the rest of the carnivore fauna of the Reserve. The common northern plains gray langur (Semnopithecus entellus) and rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) represent the primate fauna of the area. The Indian porcupine (Hystrix indica), two species of mongoose viz. common mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii) and ruddy mongoose (Herpestes smithii), and black-naped hare (Lepus nigricollis nigricollis) also occur in this Tiger Reserve.

Tadoba Andhari tiger reserve:

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is a tiger reserve in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra state in central India. It is notable as Maharashtra's oldest and largest national park. It is one of India's 43 "Project Tiger" - tiger reserves.

Tadoba Andhari Reserve is the largest national park in Maharashtra. Total area of the reserve is 625.4 square kilometres (241.5sq mi). This includes Tadoba National Park, created in 1955 with an area of 116.55 square kilometres (45.00sq mi) and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary created in 1986 with an area of 508.85 square kilometres (196.47sq mi). The reserve also includes 32.51 square kilometres (12.55sq mi) of protected forest and 14.93 square kilometres (5.76sq mi) of other areas.

Densely forested hills form the northern and western boundary of the tiger reserve. The elevation of the hills ranges from 200 m (660ft) to350 m (1,150ft).

Aside from the keystone species, the Bengal tiger, Tadoba Tiger Reserve is home to other mammals, including: Indian leopards, sloth bears, gaur, nilgai, dhole, striped hyena, small Indian civet, jungle cats, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, chital, chausingha and honey badger. Tadoba Lake sustains the marsh crocodile, which were once common all over Maharashtra.

The lake is an ornithologist's paradise with a wide diversity of water birds, and raptors. 195 species of birds have been recorded, including three endangered species. The grey-headed fish eagle, the crested serpent eagle, and the changeable hawk-eagle are some of the raptors.

Other interesting species include the orange-headed thrush, Indian pitta, crested tree swift, stone curlew, crested honey buzzard, paradise flycatcher, bronze-winged jacana and lesser golden-backed woodpecker. Warblers and the black-naped blue flycatcher exist here and the call of the peacock may often be heard.

Region                                  Vidharbha, Central India

No of Days                          Ex – Nagpur        7 Days

Grade                                   Easy (Includes Road travelling above 200kms)

Type                                      Jeep Safaris

• 6 night’s accommodation on double sharing basis in above mentioned.
• Ground transport by deluxe AC Vehicle.
• All Meals as per mentioned in the itinerary in the resorts. (6 Breakfast/6 Lunch/ 6 Dinner)
• Safari charges, forest permits, guide charges.
• Safari gypsy (4 pax per gypsy) + Naturalist
• 10 Jungle Jeep Safaris
• Professional Wildlife Naturalist host of the experience
• GST 5%
• Convenience fee
• Return 3 tier AC train ticket from Mumbai (Ex Mumbai option)**

• Additional / personal use of vehicle.
• Extended stay due to weather conditions or any situation not in human control.
• Any personal expenses, room service and special orders, mineral waters, non-alcoholic beverages, tips, phone calls, laundry etc.
• Any extra excursions or sightseeing apart from the above specified itinerary.
• Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control.
• Camera fees.
• Airfares/Rail fares (Ex Nagpur option)**
• Anything Specifically NOT mentioned in includes.

• Wildlife safaris are a matter of luck and opportunity. No guarantee of any sighting is made. Neither of our associates will quote that, although we try our best to spot and show you as much as nature allows us to.
• Never enter the forest with an intention of spotting a single species, it will only disappoint you. The forest is a gift packet with a lot to surprise with. Listen to our naturalist for more wonderful experience.
• Our safaris are not target species specific (Unless specified)
• We explore everything we find uncommon and need to be explained.
• Any demand for spotting a single species in any jeep will not be entertained by the guide or the tour leader as there are other travellers who would want to see the birds etc.
• Respect & honour everything that is in the forest and it has to offer you.
• Enjoy being in the forest and you will feel much happier away from the concrete chaos.
• Respect the local, tribes, guards, guides, drivers, officers and all animals.
• Front seat of the Gypsy is always reserved for the Guide or Guard.
• No extra room will be made for photographers, respecting other travellers. (For photographers it is recommended to opt for higher options)
• No littering in the forest strictly. (what goes comes back the same way)
• Camera fees & guide tips to be paid separately & directly.
• Kindly follow the instructions given by the tour leader and the guide for your own safety.

• A Hat
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• A dust protection mask
• Personal Bottle (To avoid plastic use – 1LtrsX2)
• Small backpack for safaris (10Ltrs)
• Bird books
• Sun screen
• Only dull coloured clothes (Green, brown, Beige, Camouflage)
• Camera (At owners risk) with proper equipment for photography (As per need)
• Fleece/Jacket (temperatures drop in the forest to below 10 degree Celsius in winters
• Binoculars
• Energy bars for safaris