From rugged ravines to its forests to its ancient temples, Madhya Pradesh is the heart of India houses amazing vibrant diversity. Khajuraho, the medieval Hindu and Jain temples of love, known for their erotic sculptures are a world heritage site and the gateway to the state. The CC Africa lodges at Panna, Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench are designed with a light footprint emulating &BEYOND’s (Taj Safari) sophistication of simplicity.

The lush sal and bamboo forests, grassy meadows and ravines of Kanha were Rudyard Kipling’s inspiration for his famous ‘Jungle Book’. With 1945 sq kms, it is one of the largest parks of the subcontinent and a good place to see the critically endangered tiger in the wild and the rare hard ground swamp deer.

Located in the central Indian highlands, the Kanha National Park is a horse-shoe shaped valley that falls in the districts of Mandla and Balaghat, surrounded by the Satpura mountains. It was established as a sanctuary in 1933 and was subsequently declared as a national park in 1955. Despite the spectacular range of its wildlife collection, the park is best known as the habitat of the tiger, being one of the better protected project tiger reserves, and has a long history of conservation. The country’s first sanctuary is also the natural habitat of the Barasingha, an endangered member of the deer family.

Most of the forest cover is of the tropical, moist, deciduous variety, and the national park encompasses over 1000 different plant species, 22 mammals and some 300 varieties of birds. Two rivers flow through it: the banjar and the perennial halon river. A number of tanks and dams support the two rivers in providing a supply of water for the park inhabitants.

Safaris, tiger spotting, and elephant rides
The most likely area to spot the elusive tiger is in the heart of the park where human activity is absolutely prohibited. You can also sign up for the morning tiger show, which entitles you to an elephant ride. Jeeps are available for touring the park, and visitors may also take their own petrol vehicles in. The organized morning safaris are guided by a resident naturalist and you have the option of taking an afternoon safari as well.

Birding and other must-sees
Kanha National Park plays home to several bird species, resident and migratory during the winter . You can walk along trails in the buffer zone for a better look and knowledgeable guides are available to show you around. Bamni dadar, also known as sunset point is another park must-see.

There is small lodge of 4 villas is indeed the flame of the forest. A dream of a home in the forest, of conservation, of responsible living, where guests embrace the same vision, was the inspiration of this fairy tale spot. Its’ homemade herbal soaps to its homemade organic food set with candlelight on the rivers’ sandy spot, makes for an intimate experience, not only with your companion but also with the forest. The highly-trained naturalists can tell you the taxonomy behind every butterfly, and the life and times of every anthill.