Location: Village Rancha, Bandhavgarh National Park, Dist Umaria, Madhya Pradesh, India.

About: The lodge is spread in a sprawling estate of 12 acres in Rancha village (8-10 minutes from the park gate) and is surrounded by Sal forested hills on all sides. It has 18 cottage rooms with en-suite modern bathrooms. All cottage rooms have large open verandahs overlooking Sal forest and grasslands.
 

Accommodation:
It has 10 cottage rooms and 8 stilt cottage rooms with en-suite modern bathrooms.

Facilities at the Lodge:

• All rooms have A/C, large verandah with great views,writing table and chair. The rooms are well appointed with wood furniture in honey hues and inviting crisp cotton linen.

• 24 hours Power Backup in all rooms.

• All bathrooms are with 24 hour Hot and Cold water, bath tubs and all modern facilities.

• Multi-cuisine dining hall with a fire place overlooking expanses of wild grasslands back dropped by Sal forested hills.

• A well stocked nature library and a watch tower.

• Massage facility is available on request at the lodge.

• A informal seating area to enjoy evening bonfire and drinks.

• Swimming pool with eco friendly water filtration plant.

• A specialized team of experienced naturalist with focus on birding and an overall wildlife experience.

• Eco friendly construction and eco sensitive waste disposal systems. The units are designed to blend with the surrounding landscape and with architectural style being rural vernacular.

Activities:

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is famed for its Jungle Safaris on Jeep and Elephant. We offer Jungle Safaris in 4 x 4 Open Suzuki Jeeps with front facing elevated seats. Morning safari is from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and the evening safari is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., The park permits entry only after sunrise and exit before sunset, so the timing tends to change with the season.

Every vehicle is accompanied by a trained naturalist who helps the guest interpret the jungle with ease. Elephant safari is organized by the forest department and is subject to availability depending on Tiger sightings.

To minimize the ever increasing vehicular pressure on the park the lodge offers cycling and walking in the wilderness. Walking and cycling is encouraged in the periphery of the park with a trained guide.

Day walks can be organized to the Bandhavgarh Fort which is inside the national park and forms the heart of it. It offers great birding opportunity and fantastic views from the top. The fort is also prime habitat for the tiger and other wildlife.

The name Bandhavgarh is derived from the word ‘bandhav’ meaning brother and ‘garh’ meaning fort. According to Legend, Lord Rama was passing through these forest after defeating Ravana. He decided to build a fort here and gift it to his devoted brother Lakshman. Several historical monuments and twelve large water tanks are scattered around this 580 acres Fort.

Village visits and workshops with bamboo weavers are organized to get to explore and learn about the village life in forest areas. Bandhavgarh also offers great opportunity for picnics at water bodies and in the reserve forests.
 

How to reach:

By Flight:
There are daily flights to Khajuraho from Delhi by Jet Airways, Indian Airlines and Kingfisher and from Khajuraho it is a 5-6 hour road journey.

There are also daily flights to Jabalpur from Delhi, Mumbai, Indore, Gwalior and Bhopal, from Jabalpur it is a 4 hour drive.

By Train:
Bandhavgarh is best connected by train, Umaria, Katni and Jabalpur are convenient rail head and many trains connect there from all parts of the country. We will be happy to assist with ground transfers from railway stations and airports.

By Road:
Bandhavgarh is located in the heart of central India and is not relatively easy to reach, the road journey towards the end is through beautiful forests, jungle villages and stunning landscapes. The beauty of Bandhavgarh combined with the call of the wild makes the journey worthwhile especially when you are expecting an audience with the King of the jungle.

Distances from important towns to Bandhavgarh.

Delhi: 880 Kms (approx 21 hours)
Khajurao: 280 Kms (approx 6 hours)
Satna: 112 Kms (approx 4 hours)
Katni: 95 Kms (approx 2 hours)
Kanha National Park: 240 Kms (approx 6 hours)
Jabalpur: 220 Kms (approx 4 hours)
Varanasi: 475 Kms (approx 9 hours)
Allahabad: 345 Kms (approx 7 hours)
Rewa: 225 Kms (approx 2 hours)
Umaria: 34 Kms (approx 1 hour)

Tariff:

Special package for Indian Nationals

valid from 15th Oct 2010 to 30th Jun 2011
2N / 3D
 

Includes:

• Accommodation in deluxe AC cottage.

• Welcome drink and complimentary use of non alcoholic mini bar.

• All meals (2B, 2L, 2D) and morning/evening tea/coffee service.

• 2 shared jeep safaris in National Park with entries and guide included.

• Services of an English speaking naturalist.

• In house activities like nature walk, bird watching and cycling on request.

• All taxes.

Does not include:

• Elephant Safari

• Laundry or any other personal expenses.

• Beverages, alcoholic drinks, extra meals, misc.

• Extra Safari – Rs 1800/- per jeep (Seats 4) plus park entries.