Treehouse Hideaway - In the heart of Bandhavgargh

An elephant ride into the deciduous forests of Bandhavgargh, on a cold winter morning, can be the most exhilarating experience of one’s lifetime. It was for me. But unlike Africa where spotting animals, means simply driving out on to the Serengeti; India guards her secrets jealously and only those most determined, discerning and in a sense fortunate, get a glimpse of her magnificent wildlife. That morning the forests unveiled her soul for me, like a maiden in the mist. The sounds of the mahout’s grunts and the rustling bamboo leaves was interrupted by a low threatening growl that seemed to come from the very bowels of the earth. The elephant stopped. There barely 15 feet away in a clearing on the ravine floor lay a magnificent specimen of a tiger, the current dominant male.

If you have followed the Discovery Channel’s series on the most famous pair of tigers in the world, Sita and her mate Charger, you’ll be happy to know that the great saga continues to play out deep in the jungles of Bandhavgargh. Only this time it features the new generation of Chakradhara, Bhitri, Banvai, Bachi, and twenty two other stripped felines, of all ages

That night as the sparks from the night fire danced beneath a moonless sky, tiger stories unfolded. Once during the monsoon rains as Abhyuday Singh walked along a path on his property, suddenly from the left a large full grown tigress broke cover. It was a long tense minute before she turned and walked away. Had he run or showed signs of fear she would have taken him down in a few bounds. Apparently this happened less than 50 feet from where we sat gazing into the fire.

At the centre of the Treehouse Hideaway property is a giant Mahua tree with the dining hall built around it. The five others tree, Banyan, Peepal, Mahua, Tendu and Palash, each have a large very spacious and luxury tree house built more than 15 feet high up among their branches. Though the houses are kept cool and breezy throughout the day because of the leafy branches all around, the rooms are fit with all weather comforts of air conditioners and heaters. The Mahua tree has been given pride of place because a lot of life, traditionally, in this region revolves around the Mahua, especially its intoxicating flower. The large balcony of each of these five exclusive homes in the sky overlooks the lodge’s twenty two acres of wild forest, which is located literally at the edge of the Tiger Reserve. The tree houses are far apart and do not infringe on each other’s space, leaving one with a sense of freedom rare for any city animal.

About three hundred yards from the dining area is the lodge’s other special site, the Machaan which has been built over a jungle water hole. I spent a whole evening gazing at the wildlife come and go and took a few hundred photographs. I can think of nothing more exciting than sitting up in a machaan, alone, watching life pass you by.

Abhyuday is a natural born wildlife genius who has learnt to treat the jungle as his living room. To help his guests take the experience to another level he has provided each room with a Complete Indian Birds, hardback edition.

For me once is certainly not enough, I am sure return again and again.No Complaints.

Well equipped

Bandhavgargh has a large pool of very experienced naturalists this ensures that every guest is afforded a fantastic wildlife experience. Most naturalists are equipped with a powerful set of Binoculars and a professional camera.

Where is Bandhavgargh?

In the heart of India. 2 Hours Drive from Katne, in MP. Katne is connected by Rail to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and most other Indian Metros. One can fly to Bhopal and drive the 5 to 6 hour drive to the National Park.

Sanctuaries and National Parks in MP

Panna National Park

Kanha National Park

Pench National Park

Madhav National Park

Sanjay National Park

Fossil National Park

Satpuda National Park

Van Vihar National Park

Mahua

The Mahua tree is a large more than 100 foot tree that bares flowers which Tribal and rural folk (of MP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, and even some parts of UP and Bengal) make a wonderful and strong alcohol.