For all wildlife enthusiasts heading to spot majestic creatures in Pench National Park, Jungle Camps India is the ultimate place to book for a supremely comfortable stay rooted in sustainability. Here is a glimpse of my journey into the wild, along with all the details you ought to know before you book!
Almost a two-hour drive from the Nagpur airport, Jungle Camps India is nestled amidst pristine wilderness with easy-to-access pathways, enrouting a journey through the jungle that will already have you spotting deer and wild boars. Founded in 2002 by Mr. Ganjendra Singh Rathore, the property offers beautiful stays at four lodges: Rukhad Jungle Camp, Pench Jungle Camp, Kanha Jungle Camp, and Tadoba Jungle Camp. I had the pleasure of visiting Rukhad Jungle Camp and Pench Jungle Camp. All of these aim to connect oneself with nature and emphasise its beauty. The aim is to let travellers immerse themselves in the most authentic and raw jungle experience while offering the best of hospitality, as well as the best safari experience that will include spotting some exotic and unseen creatures in the wildest surroundings.
Rukhad Jungle Camp
Their Rukhad Lodge is actually inside the jungle, right in the buffer zone (serving as the corridor for Pench and Kanha). It has a machan experience nearby, completely built over the shore of a water body. The rooms have the best amenities, with spacious washrooms, Wi-Fi, and a balcony attached to the space, from where you can relax and enjoy the beauty of the jungle.
The machan nearby serves as the perfect spot from where you can spot exotic birds and sambar deers and have a nice evening tea and dinner experience. The food that they serve is all made in-house from scratch, and the menu is pretty expansive and delicious. I recommend going for their homemade brownies, making the end of the dinner and machan experience all the more delightful. Expect a serene yet magical backdrop of birds chirping to come to life. They have an amazing safari experience in the buffer zone that starts early morning, and a scrumptious breakfast is served in the middle of the jungle during this ride.
This camp currently has eight rooms, all of which open up to beautiful waterside views with interior decor inspired by wildlife. You can book this space at any time of the year; it's the most unique opportunity to stay inside the vicinity of a literal jungle. Definitely an experience that will keep calling you back and become a core memory.
Price: INR 17,000 onwards per night
Pench Jungle Camp
The Pench Lodge is more traditional but with its fair share of many cool features that make the experience absolutely wonderful. The moment you enter, you are greeted with a cold towel and a delicious welcome drink —the perfect way to feel refreshed as you process the beauty of your surroundings. There is a little souvenir shop at the reception as well, helping locals to sustain themselves and uplift their art and craftsmanship. There are in total of six kinds of lodging available there. The safari tent and safari cottages are the most luxurious picks, you get lovely rooms with an attached private balcony.
The property also houses a spa centre, an indoor pool, a fire-pit area, and a recreation center, along with a restaurant serving the most delectable food, with a perfect mix of local and global cuisine, and of course, everything is made fresh and in-house. There are no TVs in the room, which is an intentional choice by the owners. The idea is to let people connect and appreciate nature away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
This space also has a machan experience, just a couple of minutes walk away from the property. You can gaze at the stars and have a chill, fun evening with friends and family here. The staff is kind with a great manager, who would make sure that your stay is as comfortable as possible. If you'd like to enjoy the place at its best we suggest opting for cycles, available at the property for free, and biking around. That's not all, the property is pet-friendly and has four absolute darling dogs as permanent residents. We loved their attention to detail when it comes to making conscious choices; something as small as your toothpaste has been switched out for toothpaste tablets. You'll find that locals from around have been hired to work here, which has truly uplifted the community. They also have an in-house naturalist who provides deeper insights into the wondrous creatures and their ecosystem.
This property is a truly stark emerging candidate for ecotourism, striving to preserve nature while giving everyone an opportunity to embrace it. Here too, you get to have breakfast in the forest during your safari, which makes this experience all the most interesting and fun. I personally spotted tigress Mastani, in all her glory, probably looking for Bajirao (yes, that's the name of the other tiger.)
Price: INR 12,000 onwards per night
