India's First Tiger Circuit is Complete

  • March 15, 2009
India's First Tiger Circuit is Complete
Situated on the edge of the Banjaar River overlooking Kanha National Park, Banjaar Tola was designed with a light footprint and the charm and luxury for which all andBEYOND safari lodges are known.

Banjaar Tola is a collection of two camps (each with nine tented suites), spacious guest areas, swimming pool, comprehensive library and plenty of places for al fresco dining. Locally crafted furniture and textiles designed in tones of saffron and muted green, with rich block-printed Madhya Pradesh cottons and silks, adorn the guest areas. Each suite has a contemporary feel with sweeping canvas roof and walls, pressed bamboo floors, and glass doors leading out onto a veranda overlooking the river.

Daily safari excursions include interpretive morning and evening drives in the jungle with expert andBEYOND-trained naturalists and tiger viewing by elephant. Kanha is one of India's largest national parks, covering 750 square miles, located in the Maikal Hills of the Satpura Hill range in the southeastern part of the state of Madhya Pradesh. In 1973, when Project Tiger was launched to save the tiger, Kanha was one of nine reserves selected for the project. It is prime tiger viewing country and is the project's star success story.

Within the park's borders, approximately 22 animal species are regularly spotted, including the more unique species such as the three-striped palm squirrel, common langur, jackal, wild pig and black buck. Striped hyena, leopard, mouse deer and porcupine also reside here, as do the chinkara and ant-eating pangolin. Kanha features 70 different trees and is a birdwatcher's paradise with over 200 recorded bird species.

Getting to Bangaar Tola: Guests visiting Banjaar Tola fly from Delhi to Jabalpur, followed by a five-hour chauffeured journey by road to the lodge. Alternatively, fly from Mumbai to Nagpur, followed by a five-hour chauffeured journey by road.

The circuit consists of Mahua Kothi (Bandhavgarh National Park), Baghvan (Pench National Park), Pashan Garh (Panna National Park) and Banjaar Tola (Kanha National Park).

andBEYOND, formerly CC Africa, owns and operates 46 luxury lodges and camps in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya and India, in conjunction with Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces. The company was established more than 18 years ago and its commitment to world-class hospitality, sustainable responsible travel and community empowerment is evident in every lodge. Please visit www.andbeyond.com for more information.