Tadoba opens on Oct 1, bookings from Sept 16

Nagpur: The much-awaited tourism in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) will start from October 1, 2020, after a gap of six months as the forest was closed owing to pandemic induced lockdown. Only six persons, including a guide and driver, will be allowed in one vehicle.
The TATR will launch online safari bookings from midnight on September 16 from its own website mytadoba.org. Sources said the website will be managed by its own staff. Earlier, bookings for both buffer and core zones were done through mahaecotourism.gov.in.
With the influx of Covid-19 cases in Chandrapur district, the park management will follow protocols issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). As a precautionary measure, those below 10 years and above 65 years, besides pregnant women, will not be allowed for safari.
In June first week, the NTCA had issued a protocol that included mandatory thermal scanning of tourists, sanitization, tyre bath, and masks. Those showing Covid-19 symptoms like cough and fever will not be allowed to enter the park even if they have booked a safari.
There is no change in rate and bookings done between 3 and 60 days before safari. It will cost Rs4,100 for weekdays and Rs5,100 for weekends. Similarly, bookings done between 60-120 days will cost Rs7,100 for weekdays and Rs11,100 on weekends. Tatkal bookings, which open three days in advance, will cost Rs7,100.
According to stakeholders, tourists from Pune and Mumbai have already booked accommodation. “This season too tourists are looking forward to sight Pandharpaoni queen Maya, who has five cubs, and Chhoti Tara with three cubs,” they said.
“We have bookings from Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Tourists said they would prefer to travel by air or private vehicles to reach Tadoba,” they said.