Navegaon-Nagzira is a forest landscape in the Gondia and Bhandara districts of north-eastern Maharashtra. Its heart is the Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve, notified on 12 December 2013 as India's 44th tiger reserve. It joins five protected areas: Navegaon National Park, Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, New Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, Nawegaon Wildlife Sanctuary and Koka Wildlife Sanctuary.
This is not a destination for a quick tick-off. Tigers are present, but you are far more likely to see gaur, sambar, chital, langurs and a long list of birds. Navegaon National Park around its lake suits families and birdwatchers; Nagzira in the south is better for serious wildlife watching.
Towns are small and distances are long. Arjuni Morgaon is the practical base for Navegaon, Bhandara for Koka, and Gondia is the nearest big railhead. Add a few quiet extras nearby: Itiadoh Dam, the Gothangaon Tibetan settlement and the little-visited Pratapgad hill fort.
Plan around the season and the booking system. Safaris are booked through the Maharashtra Forest Department portal, and summer heat is severe, so winter is far more comfortable for older travellers.
Before you plan
Navegaon-Nagzira at a glance
- Best months
- November to February for comfortNovember to February for comfort; March to May is hotter but better for waterholes. Monsoon (June to September) is wet and core areas usually pause.
- Ideal trip length
- 2 to 3 days: one for Navegaon2 to 3 days: one for Navegaon, one for Nagzira, one flexible
- Airport
- NagpurNagpur (NAG), about 130 km from Arjuni Morgaon; Gondia Airport (GDB) is small and nearer
- Railway station
- Gondia JunctionGondia Junction (G) is the main railhead; Arjuni station is on the Gondia-Balharshah line; Nagpur and Warathi Road (Bhandara) also serve the reserve
- Getting around
- Hire a car with driver from Nagpur…Hire a car with driver from Nagpur or Gondia; safaris use gypsies booked on the forest portal
- Daily budget
- Varies widelyVaries widely; safari fees are published only as a chart on the reserve website, so confirm current rates
- Senior comfort
- Moderate: long road transfers and…Moderate: long road transfers and bumpy jeeps, with basic facilities; winter is far easier than summer
- Language
- Marathi and HindiMarathi and Hindi; limited English
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Navegaon-Nagzira: January, February, December. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Navegaon-Nagzira itinerary
One good day
1 day in Navegaon-Nagzira
Start from Arjuni Morgaon with a booked morning safari at Navegaon National Park. Spend the morning on the lake edge and the forest drive, then have lunch in Arjuni Morgaon. In the afternoon, stop at Itiadoh Dam if you have energy, and return before dark.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Navegaon-Nagzira
Book a morning safari at Navegaon National Park, rest after lunch, and visit Itiadoh Dam and the Gothangaon Tibetan settlement in the afternoon.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days in Navegaon-Nagzira
Safari at Navegaon National Park and a lake-side rest.
Day-by-day plan →
