Skip popular tourist spots to visit these lesser-known sanctuaries in Maharashtra

Dhole. PIC COURTESY/SAROSH LODHI

Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

Don't fret if you don't meet a big cat at this reserve. Nearly 30 mammal species including Maharashtra's state animal the Giant Squirrel, have been recorded here.

How to reach
Closest railway station: Khed; Drive time from Mumbai: 5 hours

Tansa

Forest Owlet. PIC COURTESY/RAJU KASAMBE

Named after the Tansa River this sanctuary is home to 280 bird species. Its biggest draw is the Forest Owlet, once thought to be extinct. Also keep an eye out for birds such as the Indian Cormorant, Wood Sandpiper, and Drongos.

How to reach
Closest railway station: Atgaon; Drive time from Mumbai: 3 hours

Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary

Skittering Frogs are often seen with their eyes above the water surface. PIC COURTESY/NIKHIL BHOPALE

With the dense Sahyadris on one side, and a vast coastal grassland on the other, Phansad hosts diverse herp (amphibian and reptile) species like the Gecko and Skittering Frog.

How to reach
Closest railway station: Roha; Drive time from Mumbai: 3 hours

Gautrala Autramghat

Sloth Bears. PIC COURTESY/SAROSH LODHI

The 1986-established sanctuary lies on the eastern flanks of the Western Ghats between the Satmala and Ajantha hill ranges. Here, 240 bird species coexist with tigers, leopards, Sloth Bear and Wild Boar.

How to reach
Closest railway station: Chalisgaon; Drive time from Mumbai: 6 hours

Kolamarka Wildlife Sanctuary

Wild Water Buffalo. PIC COURTESY/Maharashtra Forest Department

Don't let the buffalos here fool you into thinking they're docile. Wild Water Buffaloes are known for their aggressive charges when provoked. The area was declared a conservation reserve in 2013, and a wildlife sanctuary in 2022.

How to reach
Closest railway station: Balharshah Junction, Chandrapur; Drive time from Mumbai: 17 hours.

Painganga

Nearly 90 km from the dense forests of Tipeshwar that are home to tigers, the Painganga Wildlife Sanctuary hosts a river ecosystem dotted by flora such as age-old arjun and amla trees. Keep an eye out for the Dhole that call the sanctuary spanning 325 sq km home.

LOG ON TO mtdc.co (for more information and lodging options near the sanctuaries)

Tiger talk

Still obsessed with the big cats? Wildlife photographer Sarosh Lodhi shares his list of lesser-visited sanctuaries you can head to this season

Bor Tiger Reserve
AT Hingni, Wardha district.
LOG ON TO borjungle.com

Koka Wildlife Sanctuary
AT Sonkund, Bhandara district.
LOG ON TO bhandara.gov

Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve
AT Nishani, Gondia district.
LOG ON TO nawegaonnagzira.com