Kanha Earth Lodge

A luxury safari lodge in Kanha, Madhya Pradesh

Kanha is among the more frequented national parks in the country and unsurprisingly the area around the entry gates are filled with hotels. But, 30 minutes away from Khatia/Kisli park gate and hidden away in a 16-acre plot of land that resembles the nearby forests lies the secluded Kanha Earth Lodge, run by RT outfit Pugdundee Safaris.

Here you will experience a luxury wildlife stay that is as close to nature as possible. Buildings take up only 2% of the 16 acres and the lodge offers just 12 luxury bungalows ensuring each guest is able to commune with the surrounding nature in peace and privacy. In keeping with the ethos of the group, the structures are inspired by the local Gond tribal architecture and are environmentally sensitive and low-impact. The guest bungalows and main building are made with mud plaster, local stone, terracotta tiles, rough-hewn timber beams and furniture made from waste and recycled wood.

The lodge’s kitchens serve up Indian and Continental dishes cooked with locally sourced, fresh produce from nearby villages. The beautiful forested setting also allows for many open-air dining and barbeque options.

Safaris in the jungle are, of course, the main attraction when holidaying in the wild. However, at Kanha Earth Lodge you needn’t go far to enjoy the wild. The absence of other hotels or highways nearby creates an ideal setting for nature walks, birding and cycling trips through the surrounding forest. So guests can opt for a night trail or nature hike within the property or go on a cycling trip in the many forest lanes nearby (Pugdundee offers multi-day cycling packages between the different safari lodges they operate in Madhya Pradesh).

Village walks and market visits offer a great opportunity to understand the local way of life and how the local tribal communities have lived in harmony with nature for centuries.

In the nights, you can lie back on the large verandah of your own forest bungalow and gaze at the millions of stars in the clear night sky!

Price: From Rs 19,500 per double room (includes meals and taxes) to Rs 33,000 (includes meals, taxes and two safaris).

Read more: https://www.kanhaearthlodge.com/

Slow Travel

Pugdundee Safaris’ Kanha Earth Lodge follows RT practices. It has eco-friendly and local construction and eco-sensitive waste disposal, like garbage segregation and composting of organic waste. The property offers RO water filter and refillable steel water bottles for guests to ensure plastic bottles are avoided. It also avoids plastics in other ways, like offering newspaper bags, using wooden spoons during picnics, using plant-based food packaging boxes and providing glass toiletry dispensers in bathrooms. Only 2% of the land has built structures and the remaining property has been rewilded. The property has created a natural wetland by digging a large pit for rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge, which now attracts wild animals, especially in summer. About 85% of the team is from nearby villages. The property has an organic kitchen garden and has also partnered with five local families who grow fresh produce for the lodge and in turn receive support with seeds and technical advice.