Bor Tiger Reserve: What to see, when to visit and how to reach India’s smallest tiger sanctuary

A quiet, untouched tiger haven nestled between Nagpur and Wardha—where Maharashtra’s forests unfold in their calmest, most beautiful form.

India is blessed with some of the world’s richest wildlife destinations. From the dusty trails of Rajasthan’s Ranthambore to the emerald slopes of Kerala’s Periyar, the country’s forests are home to an astonishing diversity of species. Yet, hidden between Maharashtra’s better-known tiger strongholds lies a quiet treasure most travellers have never heard of: Bor Tiger Reserve, India’s smallest tiger sanctuary.

At just 138.12 sq. km, Bor barely registers on the map. Sandwiched between Nagpur and Wardha, it is often overshadowed by giants like Tadoba, Pench, Melghat, and Satpura. But to mistake Bor’s size for insignificance would be a disservice. This compact reserve is one of the most important wildlife corridors in central India—and one of the most rewarding, peaceful forest experiences left in the country.

Long before it became India’s 48th tiger reserve in 2014, Bor lived in relative anonymity as Bor Wildlife Sanctuary, notified back in 1970. But forest officers knew better. For years, GPS collars and camera traps showed a repeated pattern: tigers were using Bor like a bridge, moving between Tadoba, Pench, and Melghat.

In conservation terms, Bor is not just a sanctuary; it’s the keystone that keeps central India’s tiger population genetically healthy. Without this corridor, the big cats across these major reserves would become isolated pockets over time.

Small in area. Massive in importance.

Unlike the dramatic cliffs of Satpura or Tadoba’s dense teak groves, Bor doesn’t shout for attention. It reveals itself slowly.

First come the teak-lined corridors—tall, straight, golden trunks that glow in the afternoon sun. Then bamboo thickets take over, brushing the sides of safari jeeps as you drive past. The Bor River winds through the reserve, widening into a calm reservoir formed by the Bor Dam, dividing the forest into two distinct blocks:

Nagpur side — more open, with stretches of grassland.

Wardha side — slightly wilder, thicker, and quieter.

Together, they form a beautiful puzzle of dry deciduous forest, riverine pockets, and meadows where animals appear like characters in a slow, natural play.

Bor isn’t the kind of place where ten jeeps chase a tiger. Safaris here feel almost old-fashioned—slow, patient, and blissfully uncluttered.

If you’re lucky, you may spot over 22 tigers, around 14 leopards, more than 3,500 chital, 1,600 sambar deer, 1,400 nilgai, and at least 16 sloth bears moving quietly through the forest. The reserve is also home to wild dogs, wild boar, barking deer, gaur, langurs, and hundreds of bird species that bring the landscape to life.

Yet, Bor’s magic is not just in sightings. It’s in the feeling—the softness of early morning light, the distant alarm call, the hush that settles over the grasslands just before a predator appears.

For birdwatchers, the Bor reservoir is a paradise—kingfishers, drongos, eagles, quails, owls, migratory ducks, and more than 160 species create a living orchestra around the water.

Reptile lovers will find Indian cobras, Russell’s vipers, monitor lizards, and even rock pythons moving quietly in the undergrowth.

Bor’s comeback is not accidental. The Maharashtra Forest Department, along with NGO Srushti Paryavaran Mandal, has spent years restoring habitats, building waterholes, mapping wildlife movement, and rehabilitating orphaned tiger cubs.

The result? A once-forgotten sanctuary is now a thriving breeding ground for big cats—and one of the safest ecological corridors in central India.

The ideal months are October to May, when the forest is open and wildlife sightings are at their best.

Safari zones are limited—just 5.21 sq. km for eco-tourism—which keeps the experience uncrowded and intimate.

By Air: Nagpur’s Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport is the nearest, about 80 km away.

By Train: Wardha Junction is the closest railway station (approx. 30–35 km).

By Road: Bor is just 65 km from Nagpur via the Wardha–Nagpur highway (MSH3).

The nearest bus stop is at Hingni, 5 km from Bor.

Accommodation options range from private lodges to the comfortable MTDC Bor Dam Resort, which offers double rooms, dormitories, in-house dining, and stunning views of the reservoir—perfect for a peaceful weekend wildlife getaway.

Bor isn’t just about forests. The region has a gentle spiritual charm with several ancient temples worth visiting:

• Shiva Temple, Khori-Khapa.
• Bruhaspati Temple, Chauki.
• Hanuman Temple, Khadki.
• Famous Kelzar Ganesh Temple.

A mix of nature and heritage that adds depth to your trip.

• Keep voices low; sound travels sharply in dry forests.
• Maintain a safe distance from wildlife.
• Wear muted colours—olive, browns, greys.
• Carry water, snacks, and a first-aid kit.
• Follow all sanctuary and guide instructions.

Bor’s beauty lies in its calm—help preserve it.

Bor Tiger Reserve may be one of India’s smallest, but it has a presence far larger than its boundaries. It protects tigers, connects forests, shelters endangered species, and offers travellers a rare experience: a forest that still feels untouched.

If you want an escape that blends serenity, wildlife, fresh air, and a hint of adventure—skip the crowded reserves and head to Bor. Sometimes, the smallest places leave the biggest impressions.