Name: Navegaon National Park
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Navegaon National Park, Maharashtra Overview

Based in the Gondia District (Easternmost part of Maharashtra), Navegaon National Park is a forest reserve nestled in the lush green hills of Navegaon. Built in the 1800s, the park also has a serene lake and a watchtower just adjacent to it. You get to see breathtaking views of the natural sceneries and marvel at the sight of exotic wildlife: a bird sanctuary, a deer park, and three lovely gardens. The bird sanctuary, known as Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary houses almost 65% of the bird species that are found in the state of Maharashtra. Flocks of stunning migratory birds visit the park every winter and unwind by the lake – an eye-catching view. The national park also boasts diverse types of flora – ranging from moist to dry deciduous forest. A unique experience here is staying in tree houses (like in a bird's nest), going on a jungle safari in the dense forest, and sailing boats in the pristine lake.

Geography of Navegaon National Park

Navegaon National Park is located in the Gondia District and is spread over an area of 134 km square. The neighbouring area is known as Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. The park exhibits a variety of terrains. The rocks are mainly made up of chlorite, slate, and phyllite in the Sakoli and Saucer Series. There is also a vast difference in the altitude range, starting from 30 meters and ending at about 700 meters – the peak of the park.

Entry fee for vehicles

Jeep/ Car – INR 100 per vehicle
Minibus – INR 150 per vehicle

The entry fees are supposed to be paid at the entry gate.

Contact Details

Official contact number: 07182 251 232
Website: www.mahaforest.nic.in

Entry Fee

The fee structure is as follows:

Adult (above 18 years) – INR 30
Student (above five years) – INR 15
Adult foreign national (above 18 years) – INR 60
Adult international student (above five years) – INR 30

Free entry for kids below the age of 5.

Open Timings

The park is open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day. The park remains closed on Fridays and from 16th June to 30th September. The park also remains closed on Holi and Buddha Poornima (first and second day only).

Flora of Navegaon National Park

The dominant flora in this region, mainly teak, Jamun, Mahua, Bhor, Bhel, Ain, Haldu, Kawat, and many more attracts tourists in large numbers. The southern tropical deciduous trees are the perfect shade for a stroll in the park. They also keep the air fresh in the area and woo several birds, insects, and reptiles.

Fauna of Navegaon National Park

Although Navegaon is more of a bird sanctuary, a variety of exotic wild animals can also be spotted easily. The plethora of fauna includes 210 species of birds, 25 species of reptiles, ten species of reptiles, and several species of fishes. The exciting wildlife includes Tiger, Jungle Cat, Panther, Small India Civet, Wold, Palm Civet, Jackal, Sambar, Bison, Nilgai, Wild Boar, Chital, Nathan Lewis, and Sloth Bears. The wide range of species is also a reason why this place is preferred by wildlife photographers the most.

Best Time To Visit Navegaon National Park

The best to visit Navegaon National Park is in the winter months of November to February. The temperatures in Maharashtra tends to stay high, reaching up to 40 degrees C. So this is a brief period when you won't feel too hot or too cold. Temperatures range between 18 degrees C to 32 degrees C. The sky remains clear throughout – seldom chances of rain. The main reason for visiting the park in these months is the migratory birds. This is when you will come across the rarest species in their natural habitat. Don't forget to get your camera along.

History of Navegaon National Park

1975 was the year when Navegaon National Park was declared as a national park. The literal meaning of the name comes from the Marathi language. Nave translates to 'new' and Gaon translates to a village. Summing these two words creates Navegaon. Due to the presence of a dam in the area, the park is also referred to as Navegaon Bandh amongst the local population. Here, Bandh translates to a dam.

How to Reach

By Air – The nearest airport is in Nagpur, located about 150 Km from the national park. You can easily get a taxi from the airport to the park.

By Rail – The nearest railway station is Deulgaon Station. It lies on the Chandrapur to Gondia line which is just 2 km away from the national park. You can take a rickshaw or taxi from there.

By Road – There are several private or government-owned transport service which you can opt for to travel to Navegaon National Park. The park is well connected by road to major cities and towns, Nagpur is one of them. Buses run at frequent intervals from Nagpur which will drop you at the National Park.

Nearby Attractions

If you wish to explore more, head over to the beautiful Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, located about 60 km from Navegaon National Park, other attractions worth checking out are Itiadoh Dam, located about 20 km from Navegaon. Tibetan Camp, situated in Gothangaon – 15 km from Navegaon, and Pratapgad, a magnificent fort located just 15 km away from Navegaon.