- Best time
- June to September
- Safari duration
- About 90 minutes
- Distance from Hyderabad
- About 300 km
- Distance from Mancherial
- About 50 km
What you can see
The forest is mostly teak mixed with bamboo and other dry-zone trees, which thin out in summer and make animals easier to spot. Herbivores are the most common sightings, and the park also shelters several large predators.
Birdlife is good throughout the year, and after the rains you will notice butterflies in the open clearings and langurs calling from the canopy. A local guide can point out pugmarks, scratch marks on trees and plants you would otherwise walk past.
- Chital (spotted deer) and sambar
- Barking deer and nilgai
- Indian bison (gaur)
- Sloth bear and leopard
- Tiger, seen only occasionally
History and conservation
Before it became a sanctuary, the forest was a private hunting ground of the Nizams. Falling tiger numbers later led to its upgrade as a tiger reserve. The forest also matters for water: it forms the catchment of the Kadem river, which feeds into the Godavari, so protecting it helps farms and towns downstream.
Safari and best time to visit
The usual way to explore is a jeep safari along the forest tracks. A drive of about an hour and a half covers the main stretch, and early morning departures give the best chance of seeing tigers and other shy animals.
From June the monsoon brings the forest back to life, and the months from June to September are good for long drives, jeep safaris and birding. Evenings are calm, and staying until dusk lets you hear the forest settle down for the night.
How to reach
Kawal lies roughly 50 km from Mancherial and around 300 km by road from Hyderabad. Most visitors drive from Hyderabad or combine the trip with other places in the Adilabad region. We can arrange a car with a driver and plan safari timings for you.
Also nearby
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