Tipeshwar wildlife sanctuary – An Emerging Tiger Haven

Untamed Wilderness Sep 16, 2022 0 1956 Add to Reading List

Tipeshwar wildlife sanctuary – An Emerging Tiger Haven

The Adrenaline rushes! The explorative blood gushes! The heart-stopping ambushes! The wild has more than that to offer to your life. Into the wilderness, you will find the up-and-coming Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary located in the magnificent district of Maharashtra, Yavatmal which is approximately 20 km from Pandarkawada. It has proximity to the highway, around 170 km from Nagpur and 340 km from Hyderabad. Despite Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, the “Jewel of Vidarbha” being the major attraction in the vicinity, Tipeshwar is “The Road not Taken” path, which gives you the sight of the unexplored Tiger empire. Let’s now venture into my experience where the journey included a concoction of fear and excitement i.e., the real adventure.

The Safari Begins into the wild

Day 1 – The outset of the Safari

Enjoyed the morning breeze along the journey from Hyderabad to Tipeshwar, starting at around 6:15 am. It’s literally “peace out” I must say! It was all a spur-of-the-moment plan, yet we managed to book a room at Kakaku, The Guest House in Adilabad. As the morning bliss faded out, and reached the destination at 11:15 am and had the tummy filled with tasty delicacies before setting out to the most anticipated afternoon Safari at Sunna Gate by around 1:45 pm. The Safari kickstarted exactly at 3:00 pm right after our permits got verified and were assigned a guide and vehicle.

Someone welcoming us

Sunna Gate Entry

We were all blood and thunder as the Safari into the woods began. The hushed voice of the wild and the picturesque woods was harnessing peace into our souls, as we were all casting about for catching sight of any wildlife. As deep as we go, we were able to spot the loitering Wild Boars, staring at us, as if it was awaiting our arrival. Amidst them, we were also gazing upon the beautiful Langurs hanging out in groups up and down the trees and a variety of colorful birds catching our attention at ease.

Spot where Star male was spotted in the morning safari

Beautiful lake - The most spotting place

As we were all holding our horses for the big picture, the tale of the Star Male exquisitely narrated by our guide for nearly half an hour gave us more chills; so, we eventually went straight to its spot, hoping for a close encounter with Star male. We were all only star-crossed enough only to find the Langurs conquering the entire area now.We killed some time there and went deep into the woods where we could find a plethora of gypsies. The real adventure starts right from this spot.

Wait I am comming to you

Hey Mate whats up

Voila! The thrill and chill were all real. The scene that happened there was so surreal and beautiful that you would always have it in your heart forever. As we made a move, the Tigress leisurely came out of the bushes, followed by two of its cute little cub. It eventually started pacing towards us and crouched down very close to the gypsy. You can rarely experience this moment or only once in a lifetime.

Don't look at me like that

Let's have a nap my children

You are the one i am looking for

There came another cub cautiously peeping out of the bushes, cleverly taking time to ensure its safety. And there we found 4 cubs with their mother, walking around their empire, crossing us with pride. The day ended with a feel-good memory etched in my mind forever.

I like to explore let them sleep

The Way Back with memories

Day 2 Morning Safari

Waking up early and preparing to make our next move from the Kodori gate sounds like an exciting adventure! Our Gypsy driver informed us that the Kodori gate was not the main gate and that the actual gate is located deeper towards the Adilabad route.

To follow our driver's suggestion, we parked our vehicle at the Rajput hotel and Dhaba, which is approximately 20 minutes away from the Kodori Gate. This way, we can easily access the main gate from there. It's always great to have a reliable driver who is familiar with the area and can guide you to the right locations.

Kodori Gate Entry

The path not taken

The morning brought a sense of tranquility and serenity, as the gentle breeze enveloped our bodies, providing a soothing touch. It was as if we had stepped into a scene from a movie, where the forest's effect was not an illusion but a vivid reality. Around 6:00 am, our Safari began, and we were greeted by the sight of wild boars and peacocks, which instantly brightened our day.

With hopeful hearts, we retraced our steps from the previous day, hoping to catch a glimpse of at least one majestic tiger. Although we were not blessed with such an encounter, time was kind enough to reward us with delightful weather and the other wonders the wilderness holds. As our journey drew to a close, we gathered in the lake area for a wonderful breakfast, sharing not only food but also the stories and experiences we had accumulated along the way.

Just moments after we departed, another Gypsy from the Kodori gate stumbled upon the remarkable sight of four tigers. It's truly amusing how time seems to work in mysterious ways, playing with our expectations and surprises. Nevertheless, we embraced the spirit of exploration within us and carried the indelible memories we had created, memories that will remain preserved like photographs, etching themselves into our hearts for a lifetime.

Beautiful morning inside the forest

A peacock - The shiny blue bird

Planning- The most vital part of your trip

When planning for a jungle expedition at Tipeshwar, it's important to consider the following:

Choose the Gate: Tipeshwar has three gates for entering the jungle - Sunna Gate, Mathani Gate, and Kodari Gate. The Sunna Gate is the most popular and easily accessible. You should decide in advance which gate you prefer for your jungle safari based on factors like proximity to your accommodation and any specific attractions you want to explore.

Safari Timings: The morning safari timing is from 5:30 am to 9:30 am, and the evening timing is from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Plan your schedule accordingly and ensure you reach your destination early to complete the necessary formalities without any hassle.

Carry ID Proofs: It's essential to have your identification proofs with you while embarking on the jungle expedition. These can include your passport, driver's license, or any other government-issued ID. Make sure to keep them easily accessible.

Distance from Gates: If you choose to enter through the Mathani Gate or Kodari Gate, be aware that they may be a little far from your current location. Plan your journey accordingly, considering the distance and travel time to reach these gates on time.

Booking Gypsy: If you decide to enter through the Kodari Gate, it is recommended to book a Gypsy (an off-road vehicle commonly used for safaris) from the Sunna Gate. This will ensure you have transportation available at the Kodari Gate when you arrive.

Remember, it's always a good idea to research and gather information about the specific rules and regulations, safety guidelines, and any additional requirements provided by the authorities at Tipeshwar. This will help you have a well-planned and enjoyable jungle expedition.

Where to book?

Please access the website https://www.magicalmelghat.in/ in order to make a reservation for the Safari entry.

The Safari fee, which includes the Camera and Guide, ranges from 2000 to 2500 Rupees, while the Gypsy fee is approximately 2500 to 3000 Rupees, depending on the chosen entrance gate.

To reach Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Maharashtra, India, you can follow these general directions:

By Air: The nearest airport to Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur, which is approximately 200 kilometers away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the sanctuary.
By Train: The closest railway station to Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is Yavatmal Railway Station, which is around 30 kilometers away. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach the sanctuary.
By Road:

From Nagpur: If you are coming from Nagpur, you can take the NH44 highway towards Yavatmal. From Yavatmal, head towards Zari-Jamani and continue until you reach Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.
From Yavatmal: If you are starting from Yavatmal, you can take the Zari-Jamani Road and follow the signs directing you to Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.
From Hyderabad: Start from Hyderabad and head towards Nizamabad via NH44. From Nizamabad, continue on NH44 towards Adilabad. Once you reach Adilabad, take the road towards Jainath.From Jainath, continue on the road towards Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.The total distance is approximately 300 kilometers, and it takes around 6-7 hours to reach Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary by road, depending on the traffic and road conditions.

Where to Stay?