Melghat was among the first 9 Tiger Reserves to be notified in 1973-74 under the prestigious Project Tiger movement. It is located in the Northern part of Amravati district, this is where Maharashtra meets Madhya Pradesh in the South Western Satpura mountain ranges. This Tiger Reserve is spread over 3600 sq km encompassing the Gugamal National Park, Melghat Wildlife Sanctuary and neighbouring rich deciduous Reserve Forests.

Most of the tourists combine their Melghat visit with a stay at the beautiful hill station of Chikhaldara, where they are able to trek to the imposing Gavilgad fort and reach some spectacular waterfalls.

What makes Melghat so special is the very interesting undulating landscape. Though this makes sighting of glamorous animals a little difficult as compared to many of the flatter forests, tourists are blessed with a great jungle experience. As the Sipna river beautifully weaves its way through the dry deciduous forest, it presents great photo opportunities. Added to this - are the tribal communities of Korkus and Gaolis who reside here and live very interesting lifestyles. It is always an experience to cherish to walk along the Sipna river with a Korku adivasi, as he catches fish with very interesting contraptions.

Birding has always been very special to Melghat. There is an ‘ullu’ - not just another owl, but an owlet that had been thought to be extinct for almost 113 years – The Forest Owlet!!! It was Pamela Ramussen an American ornithologist, who finally located one bird in the Satpura foothills in 1997. Till 1997, the only records of the bird were seven stuffed specimen in the British museum that were collected almost a century ago. Forests of Melghat also since then reported a few of these Owlets.

The forests also boast of a great diversity of other forest birds. You can hear the distinct and loud "line clear" calls of an Indian pitta, also called as the Navrang – for its ‘technicoloured’ form. During the forest safari drive, you can often sight the handsome crested serpent eagles and crested hawk eagles keeping a watch on their kingdoms. The racket tailed drongo adds a symphony – imitating over 15 types of other birds.

Amongst mammals, a number of tourists are able to spot the tigers and leopards. But it is the sightings of sloth bear on road from Chikhaldara to Semadoh that leaves a indelible impression on many a mind. It is a treat to watch it as it moves in search of fallen fruits and insects on the forest floor.

The Semadoh tourist complex also boasts of a unique mammal – the flying squirrel. Very often after dusk, you can sight this arboreal mammal glide from one tree to another. It is a spectacle that you must witness to once in your life time indeed.

 Melghat and its neighbouring hill station of Chikaldara have a long history.
Today, the need of the hour is to retain such areas of wilderness before they are captured for development.

Distance from Mumbai:700 kms.

Visiting Timings: 
October 1 - January 31 -- 7 am to 6 pm.
February 1 - June 15 -- 7 am to 7 pm.
June 16 - September 30 -- Closed.

Weather : 
Summer temperatures can sometimes cross 40⁰C. In winter, Melghat is cool with mercury falling below 15⁰C.

Heavy rainfalls in the range of over 1000 – 2500 mm often flood the Sipna river.The best time to visit is during December to May.

Stay: Rest-houses and Sankul at Semadoh. Rest house at Kolkaz has always been very popular with wild lifers.