Pench Tiger Reserve

Situated in densely forested hills of Satpura Ranges, Pench Tiger Reserve is tiger heaven in MP India. It is about an 80 km drive from Nagpur Airport and about a 200 km drive from Jabalpur Airport. Rudyard Kipling made these hills of Seoni popular in his "Jungle Book" which was later made into a film by Walt Disney. 

The forests are home to the characters of Jungle Book but not in the same numbers. The wolf at Pench is in decline. the tiger thrives in good enough numbers so do leopards, wild dogs, and many species of deer. You encounter a tiger more often than a leopard on safaris but the leopard it is more sighted here than in any other place in Central India. The Indian wolf is seen outside the park but keeps moving as human pressure is a troubling factor.    

The reserve is the best place to see the bison about 700 hundred live here. the herbivores exhibit excellent health and are larger than their counterparts in other reserves in MP.  Many films have been made on the wildlife of this National Park. The popularity has resulted in more visitors coming on wildlife safari every year. Birding is excellent in these forests a treat to bird watchers. Less work has been done here on avian species therefore more discoveries are in offing.    

The habitat at Pench differs from Kanha and Bandhavgarh since it is dry to a greater degree and the rainfall is quite deficient. The park is well protected and tigers have increased during the last decade. Sloth bears, wild dogs, and small cats are often seen. The Nilgai herds are impressive with some reaching their full growth. Other animals seen are the wild boar, langur, rhesus macaque, jackal, fox, civet cats, ratel, porcupine, and jungle cat. Some of these are nocturnal and can be easily seen on night safaris.      

The park is named after the Pench River which intersects the park to reach the Totladoh Dam. This reservoir is excellent for wetland birds and a crucial lifeline during the dry summers. Birds like Osprey, Ruddy Shells Duck, Northern Pintail, storks, Marsh Harriers, Booted eagles, and Vultures are drawn among the birders. 

Pench attracts a lot of tourists on a tiger safari in MP in India. The number is growing every year in terms of inbound travelers. There are a number of wildlife camps in the jungle which offer budget accommodation. For upscale tourists, luxury lodges in Pench offer the finest accommodations at a reasonable price. The park guides conduct safaris in the park. A vehicle entry fee has to be paid for entering inside. The safaris have to be booked in advance since the number of vehicles is restricted. It is best to ask your hotel to do the booking before you arrive.   

Welcome to a Wildlife Resort

Ever since I started frequenting Kanha as a naturalist guide, I developed a habit to account all things interesting at this wonderful National Park in India.

The last trip was a few days before the Kanha gates closed for the monsoon. Monsoons are a period of heavy rains in most parts of India including Kanha National Park.

Once you become a Kanha fan it beckons you, again and again, such is the magic of this nature preserve. Not only the tigers, but the paradise also has so much to offer.

On my last visit, I happened to visit a luxury resort at Mocha - a few kilometers from park gates - in order to take a measure of new accommodations that have been established in recent times.

The Celebration Van Vilas Resort in a true sense defines the word "luxury". Yes, the Kanha Resort is a three-star resort set amidst the lush green ambiance of Kanha. It has been designed to cater to upper-class tourists who wish for luxury yet do not wish to sacrifice the feel of the wilderness and tradition.

As a premium three-star jungle lodge Celebration keeps its promise. It delivers luxury and comfort and yet mingles perfectly with the surroundings of Kanha's pristine forests. In spite of being a luxury lodge meant for high-profile tourists from India and Abroad it retains India's rustic charm and warmth.

No wonder the owners are age-old conservationists and wildlife lovers and hence their experience of forest life speaks quite loud in their venture at Kanha. The resort justifies its surroundings and adds to the natural beauty of the forests. The wide expanse of the property with a large number of cottages dressed in ethnic splendor and a cool pool invites wildlife lovers with open arms. The hotel spells class and justifies it with its superb architecture, exquisite decor, and dotting service and cuisine which never fail to impress. Yet the resort is a prime example of responsible tourism.

• The resort has all the must-haves of true old-time hunting lodges - a lofty machan (hide) for bird watching and catching sight of the elusive panther who patrols the jungle treks in the night as a sentinel of the wild. He often drops in to say Hello to the guests...Well almost.

• Naturalist guides with years of experience who regale you with enchanting encounters in the wild with tigers and other mammals. The interactive well-equipped lecture hall is where one should lend ear to detailed lectures on Kanha and Indian wildlife. One should also spend free time with the nature guides here for interpretative dialog on the amazing biodiversity - flora, and fauna of Kanha.

• The well-stocked library lets you step deep into the realms of the wilderness, hunting, and wild animals of India, penned by top naturalist guides, wildlife biologists, and writers. Else watch a movie about nature and wildlife in the auditorium.
  

I rate Celebration as the best place to stay in luxury at Kanha. It cannot be outdone in organizing luxury wildlife safari in the park as well. Celebration Van Vilas is simply the best.