Who said the school is the only way to educate your kids? I went to one of India’s largest and oldest jungles recently, to learn and teach my daughter while exploring. It had almost been a year since my daughter restricted herself indoors. With no school, no friends, and very little social interaction, it has been a rather unusual year. So, I thought why not take her closer to nature and wildlife that she often reads about in books? So we packed our bags and took a flight to Nagpur which is the closest airport to Maharashtra’s oldest and largest national park, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve.
An Expedition In The Mighty Jungles Of Tadoba
While Nagpur is famous for its oranges, we wanted to try the Tarri Poha and that is exactly what we did as soon as we stepped out of the airport. Then, we headed onwards to Tadoba which is about 2.5 to 3 hours from Nagpur. Thankfully, we could catch some sleep on the way in the car as the road to Tadoba is quite smooth.
To explore the jungles of Tadoba, we set our base at the beautiful luxury property, WelcomHeritage Tadoba Vanya Villas Resorts & Spa. Spread across 65 acres, this property is situated amidst the wildlife sanctuary of Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. The resort is huge and the cottages are widespread to give you a sense of luxury as well as privacy. But if you are a bit more adventurous, you can stay in the luxury tents to enjoy the jungle and the life at Tadoba in a rustic style. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the resort offers a quiet escape to unwind and recharge in the lap of nature. Indeed, a getaway to a jungle is one of the best ways to experience India at its natural best.
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Early Morning Bird-Watching Experience Full Of Surprises
During our stay at Tadoba, we woke up early for a bird-watching experience. After all, nature does not wait for anyone. We explored the private lake in the resort which is home to different varieties of birds. We were in awe by the sight of the flying beauties. We saw the greater coucal, lots of ducks, goose, egret, herons. We learned a lot about these beautiful species of birds which is often not listed in textbooks. Also, This Gorgeous Safari Lodge Just 4 Hrs From Bengaluru Should Be Your Next Weekend Getaway.
Turning The Pages Of The Jungle Book At Tadoba
You can go to the jungle in any of the time slots: morning, afternoon, and night. But on our first day at Tadoba, we chose to go on an afternoon safari. As we made our way to the jungle, we got a glimpse into the village life near Tadoba. But there was one catch, during the safari, we were not allowed to take our cellphones inside. So Tadoba is the only jungle in all of India where mobile phones are not allowed but the reason is completely justified. There have been incidences of people falling off the jeep while trying to take a selfie with the tigers. I left my phone in a box and handed over my key at the gate.
Also read: Mumbaikars Can Soon Take A Crocodile Safari In Powai Lake
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Tadoba – Only Jungle In India To House Black Leopard
Maharashtra’s oldest & largest National Park, Tadoba Andhari National Park boasts of the highest number of tigers and rich wildlife. The forest is divided into the 3 ranges: Tadoba North Range, Kolsa South, and Mohurli Range. The jungle is open all through the year except for every Wednesday and monsoons.
The safari happens in an open jeep and the park has water resources where the animals often come to quench their thirst. As we drove our way through the jungle, we observed that the teak is the most prominent species here. During our trip, we got to know that a black leopard was spotted here and Tadoba happens to be the only jungle to house them. We also spotted sloth bears, gaur, nilgai, and sambar here.
Also read: Planning To Go Wild? Here’s Everything You Need To Pack For A Jungle Safari Adventure!
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A Perfect Learning Environment
We were not lucky to spot a tiger on our first safari and so we went on a morning safari the next day. With all the flora and fauna, it seemed like we were in a different world altogether. Besides, just driving around deep dark woods of jungle was. quite an experience in itself. After 3 to 4 hours of struggle, we get the sight of a tiger near a water body. We spotted white goose, sambar deer, and toothpick birds too! So we learned a fascinating fact about the toothpick bird. The bird sits around after the tiger is done eating his meal. Its job is to clean the meat and fibre stuck around the tiger’s teeth.
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Wow, what an enlightening trip that was! Clearly, education is not only restricted to school. After a year-long of homeschooling and being at home, Ziana thoroughly enjoyed exploring the jungles. But this trip was a learning experience for me as much as it was for her. While the pangs of traveling with kids don’t diminish any, the payout is worth the hassle after all.