About India

Luxurious Safari Lodge's


MAHUA KOTHI
BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK

    Mahua Kothi at a glance
  • Bandhavgarh supports one of the highest densities of tigers in India
  • Twice-daily jungle safaris
  • &Beyondtrained naturalists
  • Taj trained hospitality staff
  • Elephant safaris
  • Guided nature walks
  • Cultural walks and cycling through a traditional village
  • Birdwatcher's paradise
  • Picnics in nearby wooded areas
  • Intimate lodge with just 12 suites

About Mahua Kothi

The name Mahua Kothi draws its inspiration from one of India's most beautiful trees, the Madhuca Indica, or as it is commonly known, the Mahua or butter tree. Pronounced 'ma-hoo-a', this tree with its fleshy off-white flowers plays a central role in festivals and rituals. The Lodge sprawls over the 40 acre grounds, just 20 minutes from the park entrance. The original kothi (homestead) comprises the guest areas and has been beautifully renovated, and the guest accommodation is all brand new.

Each of the twelve charming guest suites - or kutiyas (jungle village huts) - are built in the vernacular style of Central India, affectionately known as 'MP Chic' (MP being the state of Madhya Pradesh). Each is accessed through private courtyards with shaded seating and traditional mud floors. Interiors include wooden shutters, tapered mud coloured walls in lime and earth washes (finished by hand), open rafters with roughly hewn wooden beams, and handmade pottery roof tiles. Floors are dressed in katni stone strips set in lime mortar. Each ensuite bathroom features twin hand basins, indoor shower, bath and separate w.c. Richly coloured local textiles, used throughout, are in shades of rust and burnt orange. Each kutiya features roll-down mats to keep out the early morning sun, as well as overhead fans and air conditioning.

Guests delight in the yoga amenities provided in a basket (complete with instructions), as well as traditional Indian games of marbles and Chaupad. Kettles of boiling water on chulhas (charcoal burners) are brought out with early morning tea to the kutiyas. Bicycles, parked in the kutiya courtyards, are an invitation to explore.

About Bandhavgarh National Park

Situated in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh National Park is a 448 km2 renowned tiger reserve. Nestled among the picturesque Vindhya and Satpura ranges, this is one of India's most beautiful national parks. The dramatic landscape features tropical forests and woodlands, and steep rocky hills with flat grasslands in the valleys below. An ancient 2 000 year old fort, 10th century statue of Lord Vishnu, and the dense Sal jungle combined with the grasslands make Bandhavgarh one of the most extraordinary parks in India.

Bandhavgarh supports one of the highest densities of tigers on the Subcontinent. Its hilly open terrain includes many large grassland meadows that offer good chances of sightings. The density of its big cat population has made Bandhavgarh world famous. The Park is also home to a large variety of mammals: leopard, chital (spotted deer), Sambar deer, nilgai, wild boar, chinkara, sloth bear, rhesus macaque, grey langur, jungle cat, hyena, porcupine, jackal, fox, and wild dog.

BAGHVAN
PENCH NATIONAL PARK

    Baghvan at a glance
  • Twice-daily jungle safaris
  • &Beyondtrained naturalists
  • Taj trained hospitality staff
  • Elephant safaris
  • Guided nature walks
  • Cultural walks
  • Birdwatcher's paradise
  • World-class intimate safari lodge

About Baghvan

Baghvan is aptly named after one of India's iconic symbols, the Bengal tiger (bagh - tiger and van - forest). Pronounced 'baaghvun', this enchanting lodge is located on the edge of Pench National Park, a dry deciduous forest of predominantly teak trees and meandering jungle streams. A mere five-minute drive to the park's entrance takes our guests deep into the heart of the Indian jungle.

Breakfasts and lunches are served on a sweeping shaded deck surrounding the beautiful swimming pool and overlooking the nullah, a favoured route of the Pench tigers. Sunset is celebrated with cocktails under a huge Banyan tree whilst watching a giant flying squirrel perform breathtaking aerobatics.

About Pench National Park

One of Central India's lesser known reserves, Pench National Park is situated in the Seoni and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Dominated by hills, forests and valleys, this national park derives its name from the Pench River, which meanders its way through the entire stretch of the 757 kmē park. The river runs from north to south, dividing the park into almost equal western and eastern halves - the well forested areas of Chhindwara and Seoni districts respectively. Kala Pahar, the park's highest hill, reaches 650 m above sea level.

A typical Central Indian teak jungle, Pench supports a rich variety of wildlife, including the tiger, leopard, wild dog, gaur, sambar, chital and brilliant birdlife. The Park's open habitat not only lends well to wildlife viewing, but it also offers striking views of the area's sheer beauty. This national park received international recognition from Rudyard

NOW OPEN
BANJAAR TOLA
KANHA NATIONAL PARK
    Banjaar Tola at a glance
  • 2 elegant camps of 9 suites each
  • Each camp with own intimate tented sitting area
  • Swimming pool
  • Kanha is one of nine reserves in 'Project Tiger' (launched to save the species)
  • Home to the highly endangered hardground barasingha
  • Approximately 70 different tree species

About Banjaar Tola

Taj Safaris' third jungle safari lodge is situated along the banks of the Banjaar River, directly overlooking the heart of Kanha National Park. The luxurious, yet lightweight, ensuite tents have been designed in a contemporary style, with pressed bamboo wall panels, gorgeous bamboo floors and locally crafted furniture hewn from the timber of exotic Indian trees. The textiles have been designed in tones of delicate saffron and acid-washed green, with rich block-printed Madhya Pradesh cottons and silks. The atmosphere is light, ethereal and organic.

The lodge boasts two elegant camps of nine suites, each with its own intimate tented sitting area. Banjaar Tola has its own unique identity, celebrating the Bastar and Dogra art that hails from nearby Chattisgarh.

About Kanha National Park

Kanha is one of India's largest national parks, covering 1 945 kmē, and is located in the Maikal Hills of the Satpura Hills range in the south eastern part of the state of Madhya Pradesh. The Park has beautiful areas of sal forests, large bamboo stretches and lush green meadows.

In 1973, when Project Tiger was launched to save the tiger, Kanha was one of the nine reserves selected for the project. It is prime tiger country and is the project's star success story.

Herds of animals are found in the central parklands, where approximately 22 animal species are regularly spotted, including the more unique species such as the three-striped palm squirrel, common langur, jackal, wild pig and black buck. Striped hyena, leopard, mouse deer and porcupine also reside here, as do the chinkara and ant-eating pangolin. Kanha is home to the highly endangered deer, the hardground barasingha, as well as sambar, chital and gaur. Kanha features approximately 70 tree species and is a bird watcher's paradise, with over 200 recorded bird species.

NOW OPEN
PASHAN GARH
PANNA NATIONAL PARK

    Pashan Garh at a glance
  • 12 Luxury stone cottages
  • Spacious central courtyard
  • Welcoming guest area
  • Cascading waterfalls

About Pashan Garh

Taj Safaris' new jungle safari lodge comprises a cluster of stone cottages huddled atop a small hill, with magnificent views over the forest and a large nearby waterhole, which has been host to numerous tiger and resident antelope sightings.

This lodge draws inspiration from the dry-packed stone houses of the Panna region. These houses differ from other Madhya Pradesh styles, with dramatic roofs constructed from massive slabs of irregularly shaped slate. The guest areas celebrate Haveli design, with a spacious central courtyard. The interiors are a contemporary mix of chocolate linens, block-printed black silks, celadon cottons and cotton lace chandeliers. A strong motif throughout the lodge is the motif of the crocodile, which inhabits the nearby Ken River. Although the structures are rough, chunky and stony, the interiors are sleek and sexy.

The lodge features 12 stone cottages, with a central guest area showcasing fabulous leather furniture made in Delhi, with massive black and white photo canvasses of the dramatic Panna landscapes. There are subtle references to the erotic stonework at the nearby temples of Khajuraho.

About Panna National Park

Panna is situated in the Vindhya Hill range and spreads over the Panna and Chhatarpur districts in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh. Panna National Park is the most important protected area in the north-central highlands of India, as it links the eastern and western populations of wild animals through the Vindhya ranges.

Situated just 31 km from the world famous temples at Khajuraho, Panna National Park is located along the banks of the Ken River. The Park, with its deep ravines, cascading waterfalls and thick teak forests, is predominantly a plateau, with sprawling flatlands punctuated by hills, deep valleys and gorges. The terrain is largely rocky and uneven. There are mixed dry deciduous forests with short grasses and open woods. Lower altitudes are characterised by taller grasses and closed woodlands. Common bamboo also occurs on hilly slopes and gorges.

Home to the majestic tiger, guests may also see leopard, wolf, hyena, jackal and sloth bear. The reserve is also well known for sightings of nilgai, sambar, chital, wild boar and Indian crocodile.

(Book Now)