Visit the Kanha Jungle Lodge
A Rich Legacy of Four Generations
India’s visionary Tiger Man, the late Kailash Sankhala’s pioneering work in the field of tiger conservation and field research, wasn’t the only legacy he left behind. Generations of the Sankhala family, hailed as the first family of tiger conservation, strive to integrate responsible tourism and create awareness about wildlife at Kanha Jungle Lodge.
A visit to this lush green lodge is meaningful and thrilling at the same time. It is rich in biodiversity and is almost at the doorstep of the Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh. The lodge is close to the Mukki Gate, which is considered the best entry gate for Kanha wildlife safaris.
Unique Activities
Discover Wild Magic on A Kanha Safari
The forests of Kanha Kisli National Park are dense and rich in flora and fauna. This is the largest national park in Madhya Pradesh and was created in 1955. It was designated a tiger reserve in 1973. The park encompasses an area of 940 kilometres in the two districts, Mandla and Balaghat.
If you are looking for some history about the park, you will be interested to know that it was originally a part of the land of the Gond tribes. Along with its famed tigers, Kanha is also home to the barasingha swamp deer, wild boar, civets, sloth bears, wild dogs, leopards and more.
Let the Naturalist in You Come Alive
When it comes to passion for wildlife, there is no better family to guide you on your adventures as a greenhorn naturalist than the Sankhala family. Kanha Jungle Lodge is a part of Tiger Resorts and was founded in 1988. Owner/manager Tarun Bhati, who has been running the lodge for close to 25 years, will give you the best advice on nature walks, the insects and birds there, and how to learn more about the flora and fauna around you.
Moreover, the lodge’s naturalists and guides know Kanha Park like the back of their hands. From young naturalist Jai Bhati, you can learn more about stargazing, spiders, the 200 varieties of wildflower species in the park or flying squirrels at sunset.
Lodging
Relax in Your Special Home in the Forest
As you sit on a charpoy, sipping a cup of tea, or warming your hands around the campfire, you will hear the jungle all around you. Your stay here is all about blending in with the forest in the most eco-conscious way and relaxing while you are at it.
The lodge is set in 11 acres of abundant forest and has eight tastefully decorated rooms and two charming deluxe cottages with private patios. The canopy of sal trees gives you the feeling of being deep in the forest, and it’s not unusual to see deer or other animals enjoying the shade.
Adding to the rustic charm of your boutique home are locally made furnishings, artwork and indigenous sloping, baked-earth roofs on the cottages.
Dining
Enjoy the Flavours of a Farm-to-Table Experience
The variety of foods at Kanha Lodge will not only give you an experience of local flavours made with recipes sourced from the region, but you will also get to taste the best of international and Indian cuisine as well.
Food from the Madhya Pradesh region is diverse and rich, and Hostess Dimple Bhati, who has authored Recipes of Kanha Jungle Lodge, will ensure that everything from the lal bhajito potatoes to matar jeera shorba will leave you asking for more.
From homegrown herb patches and vegetable gardens to fruit trees, the focus on the farm-to-table experience is a top priority here.
Meet the People
The rich legacy that Kailash Sankhala left behind is carried on by four generations of the family. His son Pradeep integrated tourism with conservation by setting up Kanha Jungle Lodge in 1989. His grandson, conservationist and wildlife expert Amit Sankhala, works towards responsible and sustainable ecotourism and reducing human-wildlife conflict.
The Bhati family’s love for the wild is legendary. Tarun is the jungle’s documenter and the go-to person about Kanha. Tarun and his wife, Dimple, have published a handy booklet on the butterflies and flowers of Kanha.
But it is young Jay who steals the show. He is one of India's youngest and most prominent wildlife experts and is proudly carrying on the work of his great-grandfather.
Sustainability Story
At Kanha Jungle Lodge, the approach to sustainability is all-encompassing. Empowering the local population and helping them sustain their livelihoods is done conscientiously here. You will see that the workforce here is 95 percent local, and almost half of that workforce is tribal women from nearby villages.
Local artwork is proudly exhibited in the lodge to encourage regional artists and local crafts are sourced directly from artisans.
The farm-to-table practices here also help sustain the ecosystem. Medicinal plants are grown for the staff to use at the lodge and even guests are encouraged to follow responsible tourism practices. Kanha Jungle Lodge is plastic-free.
Discover More Immersive Experiences at Kanha Jungle Lodge
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