<h2>Sahyadri Tiger Reserve</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/may/Shekru_e.jpg" alt="Shekru. PIC COURTESY/YATHIN KRISHNAPPA" width="1280" height="720" /> Shekru. PIC COURTESY/YATHIN KRISHNAPPA
Don&rsquo;t fret if you don&rsquo;t meet a big cat at this reserve. Nearly 30 mammal species including Maharashtra&rsquo;s state animal the Giant Squirrel, have been recorded here.&nbsp; How to reach Closest railway station: Khed; Drive time from Mumbai: 5 hours
<h2>Tansa</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/may/Forest-Owlet_e.jpg" alt="Forest Owlet. PIC COURTESY/RAJU KASAMBE" width="1280" height="720" /> 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.&nbsp; How to reach Closest railway station: Atgaon; Drive time from Mumbai: 3 hours
<h2>Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/may/Skittering-frog_e.jpg" alt="Skittering Frogs are often seen with their eyes above the water surface. PIC COURTESY/NIKHIL BHOPALE" width="1280" height="720" />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
<h2>Gautrala Autramghat</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/may/Sloth-bear_e.jpg" alt="Sloth Bears. PIC COURTESY/SAROSH LODHI" width="1280" height="720" />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.&nbsp; How to reach Closest railway station: Chalisgaon; Drive time from Mumbai: 6 hours
<h2>Kolamarka Wildlife Sanctuary</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/may/Water-Bufallo_e.jpg" alt="Wild Water Buffalo. PIC COURTESY/Maharashtra forest department" width="1280" height="720" /> Wild Water Buffalo. PIC COURTESY/Maharashtra Forest Department
Don&rsquo;t let the buffalos here fool you into thinking they&rsquo;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.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/may/Wildlife-map_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
<h2>Painganga</h2>
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.&nbsp; How to reach: Closest railway station: Kinwat; Drive time from Mumbai: 11 hours LOG ON TO mtdc.co (for more information and lodging options near the sanctuaries)
<h2>Tiger talk</h2>
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&nbsp;
Koka Wildlife Sanctuary AT Sonkund, Bhandara district.&nbsp; LOG ON TO bhandara.gov&nbsp;
Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve AT Nishani, Gondia district.&nbsp; LOG ON TO nawegaonnagzira.com&nbsp;

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Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

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