Wan Sanctuary

The Wan Sanctuary is placed at a height of 1118 meters above the mean sea level and is at a peak adjacent to a natural valley. As per local myth, this sanctuary is located exactly at a place which is believed to be the battle ground for Bheema and Keechaka of Mahabharata.

Story further goes as Bheema fought and defeated Keechaka on the hill top and threw him deep into this valley. This valley came to be known as the Keechakadhara. The Chikaldhara region which is also an extension of this valley is believed to be named after Keechakadhara.

This sanctuary is an amazing place with serene nature, fabulous waterfalls and amazing greenery. This region is also popular for Coffee plantation.

Within the Wan sanctuary flows the huge Chilka Lake, which is the main source of water supply for the animals. Early morning visit to this lake can be exciting for tourists with loads of animal sightings. This sanctuary is the abode of varied flora and fauna. Sloth Bear, Hyena, Bison, Barking Deer, Sambhar, Panther, Leopard, Wild Dogs and Wild Boar are commonly seen on a jungle safari. Teak, Air, Tiwas, Dhawda, Kusum, Moha Bamboos, Tectona Grandis, Aola and Lendia are the main trees found in the forest. Some of the parts are heavily crowded with Bamboo trees as well and the area is also rich in medicinal plants.

The best time to visit the sanctuary is between October and February when the weather is cool and pleasant. During this time animal sightings can be less. People on adventure tourism to this place can come between April and June to view maximum number of animals.

Within the sanctuary there is no rest house and the sanctuary closes at 6 pm everyday. The nearest rest house is at Dhargad, which is in the Melghat Tiger Reserve. A road trip to this place is most enjoyed. Roads are pretty decent and private vehicles are allowed even within the park.

Getting There

Various tour packages are available covering this place and tourist bus can take you for a one day trip to the Wan Sanctuary. Akola is the nearest junction, which is about 45 kilometers from here. Local buses and auto are available from Akola.

Akola is well connected by road, railways and air to the rest of the country.

Akola Railway Junction lies on both the Mumbai-Bhusawal-Howrah rail line and the Kacheguda-Jaipur rail line. Buses as well as cab facilities are available from the railway station for further travel.

Akola has its own domestic airport known as the Akola Airport. The airport is situated at a distance of about 7 km outside the main city on National Highway No. 6. Currently there are no scheduled airlines operating at Akola Airport.

Nagpur Airport is the nearest international airport which is located at a distance of about 250 km from Akola.

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