Masinagudi is a forested hill town in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris. Here, among the jungles of Mudumalai is the forest stay, Julgle Hut. Started by Joe and Hermie Mathias in 1986, after having spent 25 years at tea plantations, Jungle Hut was born as a family-run homestay in the wilderness. Today it is a cozy resort that is run by the next generation Mathias - Anushri and Vikram.
Jungle Hut is spread across 20 acres of forested land in the hamlet of Bokkapuram, near Masinagudi at the foothills of the Nilgiri Hills. The resort offers a mix of rooms and tents. All are spacious and comfortably furnished and offer sweeping views of the surrounding wilderness.
This resort falls within the buffer area of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, where live animals like the Bengal Tiger, Leopard (panther), Asian Elephants, Indian Gaur (Bison), Sloth Bear, Hyena, Wild Boar, and Cheetal. Jungle Hut and the surrounding areas are also a hot spot for bird life and birding is one of the most popular activities at Jungle Hut. Jungle walks, treks and safaris are also organised.
Jungle Hut is child friendly. The resort offers ample space, plus play areas so the little ones can enjoy the outdoors. The resort also organises child-focused activities like art classes, wildlife quizzes and treasure hunts.
Price: From Rs 8,960 (rates depend on type of accommodation and season); includes all meals and taxes.
Read more: https://www.junglehut.in/
Slow Travel
Jungle Hut resort in Masinagudi constantly contributes to the environment, afforestation, and the local community. The rooms at Jungle Hut are constructed using local materials and local labour. All rooms are fitted with energy efficient bulbs. Jungle Hut has numerous solar panels around the property. These heat the water used in the guest rooms. All the water requirements are met with the water from natural springs fed by the catchment area up in the hills and from rainwater harvesting. Gullies created for drainage slows down the water flow, helping recharge the groundwater, arresting soil erosion, and aiding clear-water flow back into the river. A series of ponds within the property fed by springs and rainwater help conserve water. The land was mostly barren when it was acquired and Jungle Hut was set up. But it has been reforested and indigenous varieties of trees have been planted and attract flocks of native and migratory birds, butterflies and bees. The abundance of resident cows and the spotted chital ensure Jungle Hut’s lawns are kept trimmed without the use of machinery! The resort composts its dry and wet vegetable and leaf waste. The garden is fertilised with homemade compost and cow manure provided by the resident livestock. Jungle Hut provides direct and indirect employment to local communities in the area, some for almost three decades. The resort has constructed homes with attached toilets for all the tribal community members who work at the resort and have also built a house for an elderly tribal couple not connected to the resort. The resort also provides educational and healthcare support to the local community.