Gugamal National Park

About Gugamal National Park

The Gugamal National Park was built in 1974, and the park spreads over an area of about 1673.93 square kilometers. Located in Chikhaldara and Dharni Tehsils of Amaravati District in the Satpura Hills of Maharshtra, Gugamal is famous as one of the last remaining habitats of the Indian tiger species in Maharashtra.

Melghat was declared a Tiger Reserve of which the Gugamal National Park, forms the core part was among the first nine Tiger Reserve notified in 1973-74 under the Project Tiger.In 1985 Melghat Wildlife Sanctuary was created. It is located in northern part of Amravati District of Maharashtra State in India. Tapti River and Gawilgadh ridge of Satpura Range forms the boundaries of the reserve.

Interesting things to do

Gavilgadh Fort:
Shrouded in mist and myths is the Gavali tribal fort of Gavilgad or Gavaligad, on the Chikhaldara plateau, now under the Melghat Tiger Project. Featured in the epic, the Mahabharata, this is the place where Bheema killed the villainous Keechaka in a Herculean bout and then threw him into the valley. It thus came to be known as Keechakadara - Chikhaldara is its corruption.

Bhimkund:
Located 1.5 km from the village, this is the place where Bheema is said to have washed his hands in a pond after killing Keechaka. A 3500-foot deep valley and a stream on the left of the valley are the attractions.

Panchbol Point:
This is one of the famous and important points, The five hills edges are connected naturally and it becomes a common huge valley, sound echoes five times hence its called panch valley

Shakkar Lake:
This lake is near Devi point. It is on the way to Gavilgad fort. Boating is available here.

Interesting things to Visit

Chikaldhare Wildlife Sancturies :
The Chikhaldhara Wildlife Sanctuary is located at a height of around 1118m, in the Amaravati district of Vidarbha region. The only hill station in the Vidarbha region offers you an abundance of wildlife, viewpoints, lakes and waterfalls.The sanctuary is quite close to the well known Melghat Tiger Project situated in Dhakana- Kolkaz National Park. It is named after “Keechaka”. This is the place where Bheema killed villainous Keechaka and threw him into the valley. It thus came to be known as “Keechakadara” - “Chikhaldara” is its corruption.

Chikhaldara is the sole hill resort in the Vidarbha region and has the added distinction of being the only coffee-growing area in Maharashtra. Chikhaldara is full of deep valleys, and these valleys are full of velvet mist and majestic trees. All this makes it a very popular summer retreat. With abundance of natural scenery, exciting wildlife, breathtaking waterfalls and a placid lake, the beauty of Chikhaldara is overwhelming. The climate is always breezy and walking on the clouds often becomes a reality.

Melghat Tiger Reserve :
Melghat Tiger Reserve is located in Chikhaldara and Dharni tehsils of Amaravati district in Satpuda hill range. This tiger reserve of 1676.93-sq-km is one of the last remaining habitats of Indian tiger in Maharashtra.

Wan Sanctuary :
Wan sanctuary is located in Melghat area of Amravati District. It is an extension to the Melghat Sanctuary on southeastern part. This area is part and parcel of Melghat and is rich in floral and fauna biodiversity. The hilly rugged terrain possesses Tropical Dry Deciduous forests.

Devi Mandir:
This point is nearer to the shakkar lake, the cave temple lies under three huge slabs of rock. Water from the shakkar lake continuously seeps through the ceiling of the cave.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

MTDC Self contained rooms (10 Blocks) and Dormitory (1 Block for 50 tourists) is available.Tourist huts in Semadoh or at the Forest rest houses in Dhakna, Dhargad, Chaurakund, Ranguveli, Chunkhadi, Kolkaz, Jarida, Makhalara, Hatru and Raipur. For aforesaid accommodation the reservation can be made at the Deputy Conservator of Forests, at Paratwada, Amaravati.

Tips & Suggestions

People here are friendly and cooperative. The Maharashtra government in collaboration with the central government has instituted many tourist guide centres all over the state in major cities and towns.Foreign tourists have to know a few costumes and traditions of this state, so that they can enjoy the colourful cultural heritage of this vast state.

Help Line/Phone Number

Nearest Hospital:

Baheti Hospital and Medical Research Center.
Bakhtar Hospital
Bardia Hospital

Location info

• Address: located in Chikhaldara and Dharni Tehsils of Amaravati District, Maharashtra, India

• District: Amaravati.

• Nearest City: Chikaldhra.

• Best time to visit: October to june**.**

Climate & weather

Temp: 6 c to 43 c
Rainfall: 1,850.00 cm
Altitude: 350 to 1,178 m

History of Gugamal National Park

The Gugamal National Park was built in 1974 which spreads over an area of about 1673.93 square kilometers.You can find around 750 species of plants in this Gugamal National Park. There are 66 shrub species, 316 herb species, 90 tree species, 23 sedge species, 56 climbers and 99 grass species.Wide range of bio diversity in the park makes this one of the most popular one in India. The park is home to various types of fauna and flora.Gugamal is famous as one of the last remaining habitats of the Indian tiger species in Maharashtra.

How to reach Gugamal National Park

• Nearest Railway Station: Badnera / Amravati, 110-km away from the park.

• Nearest Airport: Nagpur, 225-km away from the park.

Road Transport: The nearest busstation is Paratwada, around 60 km from the park. The Tiger Reserve is approachable by State highway from Paratwada to Dharni. Semadoh village has Nature Interpretation facility. Tourists can reach at Semadoh from Badnera Amaravati (100-110-km) within hours drive by road.

Best time to visit Gugamal National Park

October to June: best wildlife sightings in dry months (March–June). Parks are closed during peak monsoon (July–September).

Timings & opening hours

Open from sunrise to sunset. Safari timings are typically 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Entry fee & tickets

INR 50–200 per person for Indian nationals, INR 500–1500 for foreign nationals. Safari vehicle charges extra (INR 1000–3000).

Duration needed

3–4 hours for a jeep safari. Full-day safaris are available at major parks like Tadoba and Pench.

Safety tips

Follow safari rules — stay inside the vehicle at all times. Do not feed or tease animals. Maintain silence. Wear earth-coloured clothing. Follow your guide’s instructions. Carry insect repellent and first-aid kit.

Things to carry

Binoculars, camera with zoom lens, water bottle, snacks, insect repellent, neutral-coloured clothing, hat, sunscreen, and ID proof.

Nearby visiting places

Other wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the region, nearby lakes, waterfalls, and historical sites.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: Nagpur International Airport (NAG) or nearest city airport. Nearest railway station: Chandrapur or nearest station. Accessible by road from nearest city.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, and Vi all provide excellent coverage across Maharashtra’s cities (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur) and major tourist areas. 4G is reliable along highways and in most towns. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Tadoba, Melghat, and certain ghat sections. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Maharashtrian cuisine — missal pav, vada pav, puran poli, and local thalis — is widely available.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road to Gugamal National Park. It is advisable to fill fuel before heading to remote areas, especially hill forts and wildlife sanctuaries.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit? October to June is the safari season. Parks are typically closed during monsoon (July–September). The dry months (March–June) offer the best wildlife sightings.

How do I book a safari? Safari tickets can be booked online through the official forest department portal. Advance booking is recommended, especially for popular zones.

What animals can I expect to see? Depending on the park, you can see tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, gaurs, sambars, chitals, and numerous bird species.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Quick facts

• Location: Maharashtra
• Best time to visit: October to March for best wildlife sightings
• Ideal duration: Full day recommended
• Safari timings: Early morning (6:00-9:30 AM) and evening (3:00-6:00 PM)
• Accommodation: Forest rest houses and eco-resorts available
• Entry: Entry fee and safari charges applicable; book in advance

Visitor information

• Timings: Generally open from sunrise to sunset. Verify local timings before planning your visit.
• Entry fee: Entry fee and safari charges applicable. Online booking recommended during peak season.
• Best time to visit: October to March for the most comfortable weather conditions.
• Duration needed: 1 to 2 hours recommended for a comfortable visit.

Map & location view

• Destination: Gugamal National Park
• State: Maharashtra, India
• Region: protected forest area of Maharashtra
• How to reach: Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Local transport options include buses and taxis.
• Google Maps: Search for “Gugamal National Park, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.