Roam the jungle in search of tigers and other elusive animals.
Dominated by hills, forests and valleys, the 292-square-mile (757 sq km) Pench National Park derives its name from the meandering Pench River and is one of India’s richest, yet lesser-known parks.
A typical Central Indian teak jungle, the park features hilly terrain and several jungle streams ; and supports a rich variety of wildlife. It is no wonder that the park inspired Rudyard Kipling’s enduring classic Jungle Book.
The charming Baghvan lodge, a Taj Safari Lodge has 12 quaint standalone suites as well as a spacious sitting room.
Each charming individual suite has a contemporary bungalow feel designed in a 50s ambience, and features stairs leading up to a covered jungle rooftop platform or ‘machan’.
The guest area is equipped with a swimming pool overlooking the ‘nullah’ ( stream ) , shaded decks, interactive kitchen, library and a Safari Shop.
A five-minute drive from Pench National Park, the luxury safari lodge is close to key airports—Nagpur (56 miles, 90 km) and Jabalpur (119 miles, 192 km)—and is 205 miles (330 km) away from Bandhavgarh National Park.
Trained naturalists from &Beyond will be your guides and friends in the jungles as they accompany your family on nature tours and jungle safaris, in specially modified Tata open 4x4 vehicles.
Their sharply honed skills at spotting wildlife and revealing the park’s secrets ensure you have an intimate and meaningful interaction with nature.
Children have a particularly memorable vacation recreating the adventures of Mowgli of Jungle Book fame!
Start your day with a sumptuous breakfast on your private verandah or in your suite. Experience picnics at Khoka Lake and lunches by the pool.
Savour dinner on a shaded deck overlooking the ‘nullah’ and enjoy sunset cocktails under the shade of a tree, while being entertained by a giant acrobatic squirrel.
Visit Pachdhaar village and marvel at the gorgeous local pottery. Explore a nearby fruit-bat nesting site. Discover incredible Indian flora and fauna through exciting safaris twice a day - the adventurous can even opt to explore the jungle on elephant back!
Wake up with the soft first rays of the sun coaxing you out of your private machan. Each spacious suite has a contemporary bungalow feel with two bedrooms – one air-conditioned indoor, and an outdoor machan.
The machans have large courtyards, shaded sit outs and an outdoor shower.
The cuisine served at Taj Safaris is an exploration for the taste buds. Each meal is freshly prepared, with organic home grown ingredients. Meal timings are flexible and no venue needs to be adhered to.
Private butlers serve you in the privacy of your room, by the pool side or a table for two under the shade of a tree. Influenced by local cooking styles, each dish is a gourmet’s delight.
Choicest dishes from the local cuisines of the Vidarbha region and the Saoji style of cooking are adopted at Baghvan and tempered to suit all palates.
Salads and traditional drinks like butter milk and lemonade which cool the body, are accompaniments at all meals and perfect for a warm region like Pench.
A sumptuous breakfast is set up on the safari vehicle bonnet deep in the jungle. Freshly baked muffins and cookies along with sandwiches, fresh fruit and hot kathi rolls are washed down with freshly plunged
coffee and a selection of teas. A perfect refuelling for the rest of the morning safari.
A covered wooden deck along the dry river bed running parallel to the Pench national park is one of the most exciting dining venues. One can often spot deer and jackals that use the riverbed as a pathway.
An array of Indian street food is served from a hand cart for appetisers, while hot breads are served directly from the tandoor to pair with succulent kebabs, curries and lentils.
Chefs explain the dishes and the therapeutic effects of various ingredients.
Guests are thrilled to hear night jars or the occasional hoot of a barn owl from the jungle while dining in the safety of the deck.
A large old Mahua tree with sprawling branches provides a perfect canopy for a lantern lit dinner. crackling bonfire. Live food counters are placed in a semi-circle and whiffs of delicate aromas rise from the grill.
Guests enjoy delicious canapés and swap stories with an eclectic mix of guests from around the world, before settling down to an elaborate dinner under the stars.
Dinner by the poolside is one of the most tranquil experiences at this safari lodge.
It is an unhurried experience as guests enjoy a sumptuous meal ending with traditional Indian desserts and soothing camomile tea.
The crisp night air is pleasant and the lanterns cast a reflection on the water adding to the charm of the evening.
Tables for each set of guests are placed around the pool and served by attentive butlers.
A romantic dinner at Baghvan is a phenomenon best experienced. Each Guest bungalow has an open wooden deck overlooking the forest, forming an intimate spot for a romantic dinner.
A table for two is laid out complete with a snowy table cloth and tea light candles.
Service by a private butler is efficient yet unobtrusive.
A perfect evening of peace, excellent service and delicious fare with no time frame for guests to savour the experience.
Experience the beauty of Pench National Park and feel it come alive as expert naturalists interpret the mysteries of the jungle on twice-daily safaris at Baghvan. Travel on the back of an elephant or in an open 4x4 safari vehicle.
Embark on a foot safari to discover tiger pugs in the ‘nullah’ or admire intricate pottery at the Pachdhaar village.
PENCH NATIONAL PARK
An aspect enhancing the romance and thrill of Pench national park is the fact that it is the backdrop for Rudyard Kipling’s famous tome ‘The Jungle Book’.
Located on the southern edge of the Satpura mountain range, the park is divided into two nearly equal halves by the river Pench that meanders through it and gives the park its name.
The park is a large forest tract about 1500 sq kms in area spreading across the two states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The jungle is a mosaic of rocky patches, wooded hills, backwaters of the river and vast grasslands akin to the African Savannah.
Pench was declared a National Park in 1983 and given a tiger reserve status in 1992. The park was adjudged the ‘Best Managed National Park’ by the government in 2011.
A three part documentary by BBC called ‘Tiger: Spy in the Jungle’ narrated by Sir David Attenborough has brought the park international recognition.
Pench Tiger Reserve is also among the best areas for bird watching.
There are elephant rides organized throughout the day, and hordes of visitors enjoy this experience to the fullest.
For the adventurous youngsters with a love for all things wild, this Budding Naturalist Programme is an interactive curriculum.
Cycle or walk through Turia Village, past lush fields and find yourself at the tranquil Kohka Lake. Ask the hotel to organise a picnic hamper and watch the waterbirds as the setting sun colours the sky hues of orange.
Experienced, informed and skilled, Expert naturalists provide an interpretive jungle experience.
Be it the nature trails offered in the buffer zone of the park or a leisurely nature walk, it is an opportunity to get acquainted with the smaller creatures.
Bring home jars of delicious forest honey from the souvenir shop at the Pench Interpretation Centre at the park entrance gate. Safari-themed mugs, t-shirts, caps and wildlife postcards make other interesting souvenirs to shop for.
Pachdar Village is a tiny community of potters located close to Turia, one of the gateways to Pench. Try your hand at the potter’s wheel or watch local artisans skillfully moulding clay into exquisite artefacts.
A Typical central Indian teak jungle, Pench supports a rich variety of wildlife.
Pench National Park has a unique allure. The deadly Indian wild dog is a rare but stunning sight. You may also encounter langurs, spotted deer, jackals, wild boars, sambar and more species. Some people have also been lucky to catch a glimpse of a leopard or tiger.
Pench National Park is rich in fauna, and is home to a number of endangered species. Discover the exotic Indian jungle from the comfort of a specially designed Tata open 4x4 safari vehicle.
After a day of adventure and excitement in the jungle, watching the brilliant night sky is a very relaxing activity. The constant North Star and the Milky Way are especially exciting to young guests.
A leisurely stroll in the villages of Kohka or Khambrit allows guests a peek into an idyllic rural life. Alternatively, a visit to a potter’s village makes for a most interesting afternoon.
Children can open a lot of interesting things through a range of creatively stimulating activities, in the very forests that inspired Jungle Book.
As cities grow and green areas shrink, Baghvan helps city children rediscover adventure, nature and village life.
BAGHVAN, PENCH NATIONAL PARK
Village Avarghani Pench Avarghani Madhya Pradesh India