Imagine traveling through the jungle at 1:00 a.m. in the night/morning! Imagine a pair of gleaming eyes welcomes you on the dusty road on the way to your resort! Imagine the thrill, and anticipation that engulfs you every time you take the 10 kms jungle road to the resort.
For us, it was AMAZING! For me, jungles are emotions. It is not just a tourist destination, but a love relationship which takes me back every year. Only difference being, this year, it was Tadoba Jungle Camp who showered us with that extra love, and made our stay super enriching and comfortable.
Tadoba Jungle Camp is located at a distance of about 15 minutes from the main Tiger Land of Tadoba core gate, Moharli Gate. Situated at a distance of 140 kms from Nagpur Airport, the drive of 2.5 hours is smooth and absolutely safe!
The direct flight from Kolkata lands pretty late at the airport, and then the drive through the highway and the 10 kms main jungle path is exhilarating. You’re so alert all the time, and in the hope that a big Bengal cat might just come by to say “Hi”!
Tadoba Jungle Camp is a resort, not a hotel which means it is spread amidst a huge acre, and there’s a lot of movement space and greenery. Given its location, overlooking the Irai river, and the space sharing with the core jungle area, this one’s the best choice, possible. Houses 12 luxury elevated cottages, the resort is eco-friendly and sustainable. With a strong focus on sustainability, and local produce and recyclable waste, this wildlife resort is a perfect choice of conscious travelers, and family groups.
Every cottage is elevated, and gives a jungle treehouse feeling every time you set foot inside your cottage. Every cottage is equipped with 1 double bed, and 2 single beds, and 2 washrooms. The balcony opens up onto the core jungle area and the attic/machan within the room adds to the jungle feeling and the rustic charm. If you’re lucky, you might sit inside your air conditioned loft bed, and gaze outside from those huge glass windows and spot wildlife. Yes, and we did spot herd of deer, and wild boards. Imagine enjoying sunrise and sunsets from your bed!
The resort offers additional services to help their guests. Listed as:
- Airport Pickup and Drop (At an additional cost)
- Boating Arrangements on the Irai Lake
- Jungle Safari Bookings (Based on Gate and Zone Availability)
- Cycles are available onsite
- Watch Tower Visit
- Recreation Room – Play Chess or Table Tennis
- Badminton Racquets available
- Library
The resort houses a huge swimming pool which is covered, giving their guests relief from the sultry sun. Tadoba Core areas are closed on Tuesdays, and Buffer areas are closed on Wednesdays. Given every thing is dependent on time zones, they’re quite particular with their meal set ups and timing. The food quality is excellent, and blew me away. The choices were huge, and it was a buffet set up everyday.
Breakfast Timings: 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.
Lunch Timings: 12:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Hi Tea Timings: 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Dinner Timings: 8:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.
They pack your breakfast for the morning safaris where you spread it on your gypsy bonnet, and enjoy eating with wild cats, and the smell of the real jungle. The spread is huge, and so is their packing system! Best thing being, the resort doesn’t offer any plastic utensils, bottles nothing. Every room has glass bottles, and water bottles packed for you are steel, not glass. Just so thoughtful!
Our stay at Tadoba Jungle Camp was wonderful, not a single loose end, not a single dull moment. We were super happy with the safari bookings, the driver ji and the guide ji, both were so so knowledgeable, and made sure we witnessed tigers everyday! And our stay was super fun, all thanks to two gentlemen – Himanshu Sir, GM and Mr. Monthung, Operations Manager.
All photographs are shot by Swarnava Mukherjee Photography.
Disclaimer: We were invited by the management for a stay, but the views expressed are solely ours and unbiased.
The Bong Trippers 