Pravin Sudhakar Surpam
Certified Wildlife Naturalist
A local naturalist from Mathani, Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra, with 10+ years of experience in the forests of Tipeshwar.
- 10+ years experience
- Primary gate: Nandai Gate
- Marathi, Hindi; understands English
Local knowledge of Tipeshwar, from Mathani
Pravin Sudhakar Surpam grew up in Mathani, a village on the edge of Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary beside Nandai Gate, which was formerly called Mathani Gate. He has 10+ years of experience in and around these forests and knows their trails, waterholes and seasonal changes first-hand.
On safari, Pravin helps guests read the forest. He follows the signs a tiger leaves behind, such as pugmarks, scrapes and the alarm calls of deer and langurs, and explains what they may mean. He spots and names birds along the way, and helps guests identify the animals they meet and understand how they behave.
Pravin holds the Certificate for Skill Competency – Naturalist Wildlife Tourism from the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), an NCVET-recognised qualification. He speaks Marathi and Hindi, and understands English.
Maya Stays helps guests request Pravin as their naturalist. His qualification is a professional skill certificate; it is not a government or Wildlife Department appointment.
Tipeshwar is a natural wildlife habitat. Tiger and other wildlife sightings depend on animal movement, weather, forest conditions and chance. Maya Stays cannot guarantee sightings of any particular species.
What Pravin brings to your safari
Tiger tracking
Reading pugmarks, scrapes, alarm calls and other signs to understand where tigers may have moved, without promising a sighting.
Birdwatching
Spotting and naming the resident and seasonal birds of Tipeshwar's dry deciduous forest and grasslands.
Wildlife identification
Helping guests identify the mammals, birds and other animals seen on the trail.
Tipeshwar wildlife & behaviour
Local knowledge of the animals found in Tipeshwar and how they behave through the day and across seasons.
Certificate for Skill Competency – Naturalist Wildlife Tourism
- Sector skill council
- Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC)
- Recognition
- NCVET-recognised qualification
- Field
- Naturalist, wildlife tourism
Team Maya has seen the original certificate. To protect Pravin's privacy, only the professional credential details are shown here; the certificate itself and its personal details are not published.
Request Pravin for your safari
Choose your safari details and send a pre-filled enquiry to Team Maya on WhatsApp. We check Pravin's availability and confirm the arrangement and charges with you before anything is booked.
All naturalist bookings are subject to availability and confirmation by Team Maya. Safari permits, Gypsy and naturalist charges are confirmed separately and follow Wildlife Department rules.
Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is normally closed for regular safaris on Tuesdays, subject to Wildlife Department updates. Need a safari permit as well? Safari booking assistance is complimentary for guests staying at a Maya stay.