Kolara Gate, Tadoba: Safari Guide 2026–27
Quick Answer
Kolara Gate is a core safari gate of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in the official Kolara zone, at Kolara, near Chimur. It is about 110 km via Umred–Chimur (2–2.5 hours) by road from Nagpur. Chimur is the nearest town. 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
- Kolara
- From Nagpur
- About 110 km via Umred–Chimur · 2–2.5 hours
- Safari cost
- ₹5,800–₹12,800 per Gypsy
- Weekly holiday
- Every Tuesday
Highlights
- Core gate in Tadoba's Kolara zone, northern core access via the Chimur side.
- Best for: visitors driving from Nagpur and photographers.
- Landmarks on this side: Kolara core meadows and the Tadoba–Kolara road.
- Closed 1 July – 30 September; weekly holiday: Every Tuesday.
Kolara Gate at a Glance
Kolara Gate is listed on the official Tadoba booking portal under the Kolara tourism zone. As a core gate it leads into the critical tiger habitat, on routes assigned by the forest department.
| Detail | Kolara |
|---|---|
| Zone and type | Kolara zone · Core |
| Location | Kolara, near Chimur |
| Distance from Nagpur | About 110 km via Umred–Chimur · 2–2.5 hours |
| Nearest town | Chimur is the nearest town |
| Nearest railhead | Nagpur (airport and railway) |
| 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 | Kolara Chauradeo, Madnapur, Belara, Alizanza, Shirkada, Palasgaon (noon) |
Kolara Gate Safari Timings (2026–27)
Entry and exit times at Kolara 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 |
Kolara Gate Safari Fees and Jeep Cost
A safari from Kolara 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 Kolara Gate
The official portal identifies Chimur for Kolara Core booking support. Choose lodging by measured distance to Kolara Gate.
From Nagpur: About 110 km via Umred–Chimur · 2–2.5 hours. Chimur is the nearest town. The nearest railhead is Nagpur (airport and railway), 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 Kolara Gate
These stays are on the reserve's approved list and serve the Kolara zone. Ask each property to confirm road time to Kolara Gate specifically before booking.
| Resort | Category | Location |
|---|---|---|
| The Bamboo Forest Safari Lodge | Luxury | Masal Tukum, on Lake Masal, about 6 km before Kolara gate |
| Svasara Jungle Lodge | Luxury | About 300 m from Kolara gate |
| WelcomHeritage Tadoba Vanya Villas Resort & Spa | Luxury | Chaiti Tukum, Kolara gate road |
| Mahua Tola | Luxury | About 6 km from Kolara gate, along a seasonal river |
| Trees N Tigers | Luxury | Manemohadi, Chimur side, about 15 minutes from the gates |
| 7 Tigers Resort | Semi-Luxury | Masal Bk village, 3–4 km from Kolara gate |
| Tadoba Tiger King Resort | Semi-Luxury | About 1 km from Kolara gate |
| Tiger's Empire Resort | Semi-Luxury | Kolara gate |
Landscape and Wildlife at Kolara Gate
Undulating northern core terrain with teak, bamboo, watercourses and seasonal open visibility.
A recognised northern entry; the forest department assigns the route and no named animal can be guaranteed.
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 Kolara Gate Safari
Book on the official portal (mytadoba.mahaforest.gov.in) or through an authorised operator, choosing “Kolara” 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 Kolara 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 Kolara 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 Kolara 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 Kolara 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 Kolara Gate from Nagpur?
About 110 km via Umred–Chimur · 2–2.5 hours. Chimur is the nearest town. The nearest railhead is Nagpur (airport and railway).
Is Kolara Gate a core or buffer gate?
Kolara Gate is a core gate in Tadoba's Kolara zone. Core gates enter the critical tiger habitat.
Which resorts are near Kolara Gate?
Approved stays serving this zone include The Bamboo Forest Safari Lodge, Svasara Jungle Lodge, WelcomHeritage Tadoba Vanya Villas Resort & Spa, Mahua Tola.
Is a tiger sighting guaranteed at Kolara 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.
- Young Bengal tigress playing with her sibling in Tadoba — AJAY CHANDWANI, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Red-earth safari track running through a tunnel of bamboo in Tadoba — Rohit Sharma, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sambar stag with hinds in Tadoba Tiger Reserve — Davidvraju, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Tiger almost hidden in tall golden grass in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve — Eeshan Sonak, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sloth bear walking along a forest track in Tadoba — Murugavel.T, 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
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