DESTINATION
Melghat Tiger Reserve (Gugamal National Park)
Amravati, Maharashtra
One of India's original nine Project Tiger reserves, declared in 1973–74, set in the rugged Satpura hill range of northern Maharashtra. Steeper and more forested than our other Maharashtra parks, Melghat rewards patience over guaranteed sightings — a genuine wilderness rather than a polished safari circuit.
FLORA & FAUNA
What grows and roams here
Flora
- Teak
- Bamboo
- Mixed moist deciduous forest
- Hill grassland
Fauna
- Bengal tiger
- Indian gaur
- Sloth bear
- Leopard
- Barking deer
SAFARI ZONES
Zones & gates
| Safari zone | Gate code |
|---|---|
| Semadoh | SEM-01 |
| Kolkas | KOL-02 |
| Chikhaldara (Buffer) | CHI-03 |
SEASON
Best time to visit
Open October through June. Hilly terrain keeps conditions cooler than the plains reserves; sightings improve through the dry season into April and May.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Peak sightings
- Core zone closed
- Open, moderate
GETTING HERE
How to reach
Nagpur
220 km · approx. 4.5 hrs by road
Delhi
1,150 km · fly to Nagpur (1.5 hrs) + 4.5 hrs road
Mumbai
660 km · fly to Nagpur (1.3 hrs) + 4.5 hrs road, or approx. 12 hrs direct by road
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Before you ask.
Still have questions?
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Plan a safari hereAre sightings as reliable as at Tadoba or Pench?
No — Melghat's hilly, densely forested terrain gives tigers far more cover than the open teak forest at Tadoba, so sighting rates run lower. We recommend it for guests who value wilderness and terrain over guaranteed sightings.
Why is it called Gugamal National Park too?
Gugamal National Park is the core zone at the heart of the wider Melghat Tiger Reserve — the two names refer to the same protected landscape at different administrative scales.
Can I combine this with a hill-station stay at Chikhaldara?
Yes — Chikhaldara sits right in the reserve's buffer zone and is a popular add-on for guests who want a cooler, scenic stop alongside the safaris.
Which zone should I book — Semadoh or Kolkas?
Semadoh is the main, better-established gate; Kolkas is quieter and worth adding if you're staying more than a couple of days.
How physically demanding is a visit here?
The safaris themselves are standard gypsy drives, but the hilly access roads make transfers slower than our plains reserves — budget extra time rather than extra fitness.