Amrabad Tiger Reserve - More Than Tigers

Have you heard of Amrabad Tiger Reserve? Even we had not heard of it. 

Tiger Reserves are closed in India during the monsoon months from 1st July to 30th September. Ghumakkad grabbed the earliest dates thereafter and travelled to Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR) with his grandson Ansh. Ansh also loves driving and wildlife besides adventure activities. It was a perfect match. We wanted to go to Pench which was fully booked for Safaris during the first long weekend in October. Our next choice was the ATR, which turned out to be worth it!

This story takes you to ATR which is part of Nallamalla Forest Range. ATR offers you more than tigers!

No Plastics Zone

All vehicles and bags are physically checked for any plastic bottles, wrappers or food packets in plastic covers. Very strict enforcement. Most impressive.  Entire ATR is thus a No Plastics zone.

Location

ATR is located 200kms from our home in Secunderabad. A leisurely 3.5 hours drive on NH-765 south of Hyderabad. See the map below. 

Dindi River

Driving from Hyderabad, you will cross Dindi River which has an irrigation bund. During and after the monsoon, the river overflows the bund. It is a spectacular sight. You may read our story of the magical spectacle by clicking the link below:

Dindi Dance -- When a river dances, the traffic stops!

Jungle Safari

Sighting a tiger in a jungle safari is a matter of chance. As visitors we should not go with too much expectation. If the sighting happens, it is bonus. The jungle safari lets you experience the forest, its flora and fauna, aroma, sounds and at times the silence! We did two safaris. The Park had just re-opened after the monsoon months. The mud track was slushy and we had to cross many streams. Six hours of  'hunting'-- but the tiger did not oblige us although we saw fresh pug marks within minutes of entering the Reserve. The safari ends late evening much after the last light. It was an eerie feeling to be driving through the jungle in an open vehicle in darkness. And, how can we forget when our 4WD broke down in a deep slush with the tiger around somewhere! See the pictures and the videos below. 

A short 9-sec video below shows the slushy track as our safari vehicle crosses a stream.

And then our 4WD got stuck in the slush! Imagine being stranded in a tiger reserve? 

But thanks to the following safari vehicles and some of us who got down to help, we could push the vehicle out of the slush. See the video below taken just after the restart!

We also spotted a Changeable Hawk Eagle. Look at its stare in the picture below.

The video clip below gives you a feel of being in a jungle safari after sunset. have you experienced it anywhere?

River Krishna flows through ATR. The Reserve is rich in bio-diversity.

Forest Trek

The tiger package of the resort includes a forest trek in the morning.  There are two areas. One called Prataprudra Kota (named after Rudrama Devi's son of the Kakatiya dynasty) and the other atop Uma Maheashwar temple and gorge. Since we stayed for two nights, we could do both the treks.

Prataparudra Fort Trek

Our guide spotted a millipede which climbed on his palm. He then put it down. When I offered my palm, it refused to climb! See the video below. Wonder what was the reason?

The next morning we did the second forest trek in a different area.

Nallamalla Forest Gorge

When a grandpa leads his grandson during a hike! Short video clip below.

Short video clip below shows the trench and the panorama around the gorge. Get a feel!

Where to Stay

There are many resorts near the ATR. But we chose to stay in Munnanur Jungle Resort managed by Telangana Forest Department. It can be booked online. The package of Rs 7K per night (2025 prices) includes AC accommodation for two in a Chenchu hut, all meals, Forest trek with a guide in the morning and a jungle safari in the evening. They also have tree houses and other cottages. Few pictures below.

Places Nearby

Octopus Viewpoint

Tourists get a view of Krishna backwaters in the valleys which resemble a large octopus. We could not visit the viewpoint as it needed another half a day.

Mallela Thirtham Waterfalls

Mallela Thirtham is a scenic 160-foot waterfall located in the Nallamalla Forest in Nagarkurnool, Telangana, India, featuring a 300-400 step descent and a surrounding valley. Visitors can walk underneath the falls and enjoy the natural beauty. We could not visit the waterfall as it was closed for the tourists. A tiger had been spotted in the area few days ago.

Farahabad Viewpoint

It offers excellent views of Nallamalla forest. It is located inside the ATR. The name translates to 'Mount Pleasant'. It is included in the jungle Safari. On a clear evening,  sunset view is simply breathtaking. See the pictures below.

Akkamahadevi Caves

Located on the left flank of Krishna river, the caves are accessible by boats. It is another half a day outing which we could not do. But something which should be done by travellers.

We bade goodbye to the Tiger Reserve. It was more than the tigers!

Jungle Walk at Night

We did a jungle walk on a dark night in Amrabad. We had to abort the night adventure as we had to rush to rescue a cobra nearby. Read the thrilling account in the picture story linked below:

Jungle Walk at Night Rescuing a Cobra - it also includes links to three other picture stories of rescuing an injured Fruit Bat and a Black-Winged Stilt (both entangled in manjha माँझा  the sharp-edged thread used during the kite flying season) and an abandoned baby squirrel.

Hope the above stories have taken the fear out of you to venture into a Tiger Reserve! But don't go alone. 

Thanks for browsing and stay connected. Do leave a comment. It keeps us going.

   - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Ansh Bhargava/ 5th May 2026/ Secunderabad and Amrabad

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