Gorewada safari to starts from Friday

Nagpur: Eight months after the Gorewada jungle safari was closed for tourists due to coronavirus, tourists will once again be able to enjoy the jungle drive as the park reopens from November 13.

Gorewada has decided not to allow children below 10 years and senior citizens above 65 years for safari. Only four persons per vehicle will be allowed. This is against directions from PCCF (wildlife), who had relaxed the conditions by allowing six of a family including children and senior citizens.

In Gorewada, as there are only 4 Gypsys available, private vehicles are allowed. Most private vehicle have a capacity of five persons. If the norm of four tourists is followed then only four people and not five will be able to enter the park as guides will be mandatory. The park has also banned night safari, which was allowed earlier.

The safari will remain open in the morning (6am to 10am) and evening (2.30pm to 6pm). “We have got requisite permission from the district collector, who is also the chief of District Disaster Management Authority. Hence, safari has been opened as per the existing protocol. Therefore, children and senior citizens have been barred,” said Pramod Panchbhai, divisional manager, FDCM.

Visitors can also opt for online bookings from the mahaecotourism.gov.in website. Per vehicle safari charges are Rs550, including Rs200 towards guide fee and Rs350 as entry fee. For online bookings, it would cost Rs520.

The park management has made arrangements to follow Covid-19 distancing norms. Thermal scanning will be done for every tourist and wearing masks and face shields is mandatory for guides and drivers.