Karhandla Jungle Safari Booking
About
Umred Paoni Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary
The Umred-Pauni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary (UPKWS), located around 50 kilometers from Nagpur and 60 kilometers from Bhandara, is one of Maharashtra’s most visited wildlife sanctuaries near Nagpur. Spread across Pauni Tahsil in Bhandara District and Umred, Kuhi, and Bhiwapur Talukas in Nagpur District, this sanctuary lies along the scenic Wainganga River and forms a crucial wildlife corridor connecting to the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. Known for its Karhandla Tiger Safari and frequent tiger sightings, the sanctuary offers an unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.
The Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary Nagpur is easily accessible, situated about 20 km east of Bhandara town. The nearest railway station and airport are both located in Nagpur, making it convenient for visitors arriving from across Maharashtra. Regular buses run every 30 minutes from the Bhandara Bus Stand between 5:00 AM and 8:00 PM. The sanctuary is open for jungle safaris from sunrise to sunset. Several resorts and hotels near Bhandara and Nagpur provide comfortable stays for tourists planning their Karhandla Jungle Safari Booking.
Geographically, the sanctuary is bordered by the Wainganga River and the Gose Khurd Dam to the northeast, while State Highway 9 and Bhiwapur Town define its southern boundary. To the west lies Umred, with a 10-kilometer-long hilly range rising between 600 and 800 meters to the northwest. Strategically positioned, the sanctuary is just 40 km north of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, 50 km southwest of Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, and 80 km southeast of Pench Tiger Reserve — placing it at the heart of Maharashtra’s most vibrant tiger reserves.
Inside the Umred Karhandla Tiger Reserve, visitors can spot breeding tigers, herds of Indian Gaur, playful wild dogs, and fascinating creatures such as flying squirrels, pangolins, and honey badgers. This rich ecosystem highlights the sanctuary’s importance in preserving biodiversity and protecting the natural heritage of central India. The UPKWS Jungle Safari offers an authentic wildlife experience for those seeking to explore nature in its purest form.
The sanctuary welcomes visitors through three main safari gates — Gothangaon Gate, Karhandla Gate, and Paoni Gate. Each offers unique forest trails and high chances of tiger sightings. Visitors can choose their preferred route and make an online Karhandla Safari Booking or Gothangaon Jungle Safari booking easily through official UPKWS portals.
Wildlife You Can See at Umred Karhandla
The sanctuary is divided by the Maru River, which joins the Wainganga near Bhiwapur, and its eastern forests along the Pauni–Nilaj road form a vital wildlife corridor towards Tadoba. On a Karhandla Jungle Safari you can spot the Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog (Dhole), Wolf, Jackal and Jungle Cat, along with herbivores such as Gaur, Nilgai (Blue Bull), Sambar, Barking Deer, Spotted Deer (Chital) and Wild Boar.
Forest and Vegetation
Umred Karhandla is a Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous forest dominated by teak, which makes up nearly 60% of the forest cover. Other common trees include Dhaoda, Ain, Achar, Mahua, Lendia, Bhirra, Tendu, Semal, Rohan and Tiwas. Thanks to its closeness to Nagpur and frequent tiger sightings, it has become one of Maharashtra’s most popular destinations for wildlife lovers and photographers.
Journey into the Heart of the Jungle
This UPKWS Jungle Safari is not just a tour — it’s an immersive journey through thriving ecosystems, whispering trees, and the rhythm of the wild. Whether you enter through Gothangaon Gate, Karhandla Gate, or Paoni Gate, each route promises its own breathtaking encounters with wildlife and unforgettable memories from the heart of Maharashtra’s forests.