Khutwanda Gate, Tadoba: Safari Guide 2026–27
Quick Answer
Khutwanda Gate is a core safari gate of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in the official Moharli zone, at Near Mudholi and Wadala Tukum villages. It is about 135 km (around 3 hours) by road from Nagpur. A short drive from the Moharli resort belt (around 4 km from the Sanctuary resort area). It runs morning and afternoon safaris, closes every Tuesday and shuts for the monsoon from 1 July to 30 September. A full Gypsy costs about ₹5,800–₹12,800 including permit, guide and vehicle.
- Gate type
- Core zone
- Official zone
- Moharli
- From Nagpur
- About 135 km · around 3 hours
- Safari cost
- ₹5,800–₹12,800 per Gypsy
- Weekly holiday
- Every Tuesday
Highlights
- Core gate in Tadoba's Moharli zone, southern core access.
- Best for: travellers who missed Moharli permits and want the same country with fewer vehicles.
- Landmarks on this side: Southern core forest, bamboo stands and the Moharli-side lake belt.
- Closed 1 July – 30 September; weekly holiday: Every Tuesday.
Khutwanda Gate at a Glance
Khutwanda Gate is listed on the official Tadoba booking portal under the Moharli tourism zone. As a core gate it leads into the critical tiger habitat, on routes assigned by the forest department.
| Detail | Khutwanda |
|---|---|
| Zone and type | Moharli zone · Core |
| Location | Near Mudholi and Wadala Tukum villages |
| Distance from Nagpur | About 135 km · around 3 hours |
| Nearest town | A short drive from the Moharli resort belt (around 4 km from the Sanctuary resort area) |
| Nearest railhead | Chandrapur |
| Nearest airport | Nagpur (Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International) |
| Safari slots | Morning and afternoon |
| Weekly holiday | Every Tuesday |
| Monsoon | Closed 1 July – 30 September |
| Other gates in this zone | Moharli, Agarzari, Adegaon, Dewada, Junona |
Khutwanda Gate Safari Timings (2026–27)
Entry and exit times at Khutwanda Gate follow the reserve's seasonal core schedule. Reach the gate at least 30 minutes early for permit and ID checks; last entry is two hours after a slot opens.
| Season | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct – 31 Oct | 6:00 am – 10:00 am | 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm |
| 1 Nov – 28/29 Feb | 6:30 am – 10:30 am | 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm |
| 1 Mar – 30 Apr | 6:00 am – 10:00 am | 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm |
| 1 May – 30 Jun | 5:30 am – 9:30 am | 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm |
Khutwanda Gate Safari Fees and Jeep Cost
A safari from Khutwanda Gate is booked per Gypsy (open jeep). The total below is the permit, the compulsory guide and the vehicle together, for up to six guests. Core permits cost more when booked 60–120 days ahead and on weekends.
| Booking window | Entry | Guide | Gypsy | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Booked 1–59 days ahead, Mon–Fri | ₹1,800 | ₹700 | ₹3,300 | ₹5,800 |
| Booked 1–59 days ahead, Sat–Sun | ₹2,800 | ₹700 | ₹3,300 | ₹6,800 |
| Booked 60–120 days ahead, Mon–Fri | ₹4,800 | ₹700 | ₹3,300 | ₹8,800 |
| Booked 60–120 days ahead, Sat–Sun | ₹8,800 | ₹700 | ₹3,300 | ₹12,800 |
How to Reach Khutwanda Gate
Do not assume a Moharli-area lodge is equally close to Khutwanda. Check the actual road transfer before booking accommodation.
From Nagpur: About 135 km · around 3 hours. A short drive from the Moharli resort belt (around 4 km from the Sanctuary resort area). The nearest railhead is Chandrapur, and the nearest airport is Nagpur. Leave enough margin for the pre-dawn drive — a missed reporting time means a lost permit.
Hotels and Resorts Near Khutwanda Gate
These stays are on the reserve's approved list and serve the Moharli zone. Ask each property to confirm road time to Khutwanda Gate specifically before booking.
| Resort | Category | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Irai Safari Retreat | Luxury | Bhamdeli village, about 2.7 km from Moharli gate |
| Tadoba Jungle Camp | Luxury | Near Moharli gate, about 15 minutes' drive |
| Limban Resort | Luxury | Mudholi village, minutes from Khutwanda and Moharli gates |
| Waghoba Eco Lodge | Luxury | Wadala Tukum village, about 15 min to Khutwanda and 30 min to Moharli gate |
| Tadoba Van Vilas | Luxury | Mohurli, behind Bhamdeli bus stop, near Irai Lake |
| tigress@ghosri | Luxury | Ghosri village, Bhadravati, in the reserve's buffer landscape |
| Tathastu Tadoba (Tiger Village Resort) | Semi-Luxury | Moharli village, about 1 km from Moharli gate |
| The Pugmark Jungle Lodge | Semi-Luxury | About 0.9 km from Moharli gate, on the banks of Irai Lake |
Landscape and Wildlife at Khutwanda Gate
Core forest associated with the wider Moharli visitor cluster, including bamboo and mixed dry forest.
Useful for travellers seeking a southern core entry distinct from Moharli Gate; sightings remain unpredictable and route dependent.
Expect Bengal tiger, leopard, sloth bear, dhole, gaur, sambar, chital, nilgai and wild boar, plus a rich bird list. Every drive is different; no gate guarantees a sighting.
How to Book a Khutwanda Gate Safari
Book on the official portal (mytadoba.mahaforest.gov.in) or through an authorised operator, choosing “Khutwanda” as the gate. Use the exact name and ID number of every guest.
- Regular online booking opens at 12:00 am IST, 120 days before the safari date.
- Tatkal booking opens at 8:00 am IST, three days before the safari date.
- On a full-day safari, a core Gypsy can carry up to 4 guests and a buffer Gypsy up to 6, not counting the driver and guide.
- Up to two children under 8 ride free per Gypsy and do not need to be named on the booking.
- Bookings cannot be transferred, and names cannot be swapped once confirmed.
- Every guest must show the original ID used at the time of booking. Photocopies and phone photos are refused.
- Indian visitors can use Aadhaar, passport, PAN, driving licence, voter ID or another government photo ID.
Rules for Khutwanda Gate Safaris
These rules apply on every Tadoba route and are enforced by the guide and forest staff.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Speed limit inside the reserve | 20 km/h |
| Gap between two safari vehicles | At least 50 metres |
| Distance from any wild animal | At least 20 metres, for no more than 15 minutes |
| Leaving the vehicle | Only at designated points |
| Phones, music, horns, shouting | Not allowed. Using banned electronics can cost ₹5,000 |
| Plastic, alcohol, non-veg food, firearms, pets | All prohibited inside the reserve |
| Smoking or lighting fires | Prohibited |
| Feeding, teasing or chasing animals | Prohibited, and a punishable offence |
| Littering | Fineable |
| Late arrival | Last entry is two hours after the slot opens; late entry is refused after that |
Best Time to Visit Khutwanda Gate
October to February is pleasant, with green forest and cold mornings. March to June is hot but the best for sightings, as animals concentrate around water. The core is closed from July to September.
Morning drives usually have the most activity, and weekdays have lower permit prices than weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Khutwanda gate safari timings?
Morning and afternoon slots run year-round on the seasonal schedule — for example 1 Nov – 28/29 Feb: morning 6:30 am – 10:30 am, afternoon 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm. The gate is closed on Tuesdays and from 1 July to 30 September.
How much does a safari at Khutwanda Gate cost?
About ₹5,800–₹12,800 per Gypsy for up to six guests, covering permit, guide and vehicle, depending on the day and how far ahead you book.
How far is Khutwanda Gate from Nagpur?
About 135 km · around 3 hours. A short drive from the Moharli resort belt (around 4 km from the Sanctuary resort area). The nearest railhead is Chandrapur.
Is Khutwanda Gate a core or buffer gate?
Khutwanda Gate is a core gate in Tadoba's Moharli zone. Core gates enter the critical tiger habitat.
Which resorts are near Khutwanda Gate?
Approved stays serving this zone include Irai Safari Retreat, Tadoba Jungle Camp, Limban Resort, Waghoba Eco Lodge.
Is a tiger sighting guaranteed at Khutwanda Gate?
No. Routes are allocated by the forest department and sightings depend on animal movement, season and chance.
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Sources & References
Facts on wildlife and visitor access can change. These are the principal references for this page; always confirm current permits and rules with the responsible forest department.
Photo Credits
Photos without a credit below are by Wild Excursions. The rest come from Wikimedia Commons under the licences shown.
- Paved forest road just inside Khutwanda gate, Tadoba — Chetangondane, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Reception building at Moharli Gate with the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve sign — Yojang, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Tigress Madhuri (T-10) walking on a forest track in the Agarzari buffer of Tadoba — Join2manish, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Wide view of the largest lake in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve under a clear sky — Aashay25, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Road and parked safari vehicles at Agarzari gate, Tadoba buffer — भाविका राका, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Narrow forest road between dense bamboo stands in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve — GURDEEP SINGH, CC BY-SA 4.0
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