Do You Know Which City Is the 'Tiger Capital'? India's Best Tiger Safaris Start from Nagpur
When wildlife safari or wild animal lovers think of an animal, the first name that comes to mind is the tiger. Tourists make all kinds of plans to catch a glimpse of this majestic big cat in famous forests and safari zones. One particular Indian city serves as the starting point for these experiences — Nagpur, known as the 'Tiger Capital'.
Located in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, with excellent air and rail links and many protected forests nearby, the city has famous reserves such as Pench, Umred-Karhandla and Tadoba-Andhari close by. Each reserve offers a different kind of safari experience, although there is no specific guarantee of seeing wildlife. Besides tigers, visitors here may also see deer, gaur, leopards, wild dogs and many kinds of birds.
Pench Tiger Reserve is located near Nagpur; it is known for the forest's natural scenery and rich biodiversity. This forest is associated with the environment that inspired Rudyard Kipling to write 'The Jungle Book'. The reserve offers jeep safaris, and Nagpur is an important gateway for getting there.
About 60 kilometres from Nagpur, the Umred-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary is another excellent option for wildlife lovers. It is home to various species including native tigers, gaur and wild dogs.
The Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve is a somewhat longer journey from Nagpur, but it is one of Maharashtra's most famous tiger safari destinations. This reserve has several safari gates, so travellers should plan their stay and travel based on the entry point they have booked.
Alongside seeing wildlife, Nagpur offers the chance to get acquainted with the city's history and cultural heritage. Inside the city, Deekshabhoomi is an important Buddhist monument — it is associated with Dr B. R. Ambedkar's conversion to Buddhism in 1956. And the Zero Mile Stone is a landmark linked to Nagpur's geographical position near the centre of India, a place to stop by quickly while touring the city.
The period from February to May is generally considered the best time for a tiger safari — in summer, tigers move about more near water sources, so the chances of seeing one increase.
