Banjaar Tola, Kanha National Park

Located on a 90 acre private concession overlooking the core forest zone of Kanha National Park, Banjaar Tola encompasses two elegant tented camps of nine suites each. Named after the gypsy tribes who camped by the Banjaar River, the luxurious ensuite tents are lightweight and eco-friendly structures designed with rustic local supplies, leaving a gentle and charming footprint on the sensitive riverine environment.

Each camp offers its own romantic suites (pictured) with intimate private deck overlooking the meandering river, comfortable guest area with a large open-air dining space and interpretive library. Guest at camps can enjoy a dip in the unobtrusively located swimming pool, savour regional delicacies at the interactive kitchen and collect interesting souvenirs from the safari shop.

Diverse flora and fauna, interpretive game drives with highly trained naturalists, and distinctive Taj hospitality, make this a fascinating Jungle Book adventure.

Banjaar Tola’s two dramatic camps are perched right on the edge of the river, each containing nine tented suites designed with a contemporary twist with canvas roofs, pressed bamboo wall panels, natural bamboo floors, exotic wooden and rattan furnishings, soft fabrics and textures, delicate tones of saffron, washed green and rich block prints celebrating the Bastar and Dogra art, mud pottery and bell metal figurines.

Each suite features an attractive soak tub with a view, stylish indoor shower and its very own floating private deck replete with traditional Indian lounge cots, cushions and oil lanterns that add to the romance. The guest areas express a vibrant décor with an interesting safari shop, an intimate café, interpretive spaces, quaint libraries, pristine dining decks, and a discreetly positioned swimming pool.

Dining in Banjaar Tola is an exciting and unexpected Safari in itself, with several deliciously surprising twists and turns.

• Fresh local ingredients, homemade accompaniments, fruits and veggies, clay oven cooking and dining customs, create never-before dining spots that give you as much of a rush as the game drives to follow.

• If you want to begin your game drive with the first rays of the sun, you can take along a steaming packed breakfast to enjoy deep in the woods or have a quick bite in the dining area.

• If you’d prefer a more leisurely meal in the confines of your tented suites, this can be provided.

• At lunchtime, enjoy a scrumptious palter at the beautiful lounge deck.

• In the evening, enjoy cocktails in the interactive kitchen with live spit-roasting, generations-old khud cooking, platter dinners and regional folklores.

• At dinner time experience savour mouthwatering regional preparations conjured up by the chefs. pool dinners, riverside dining, private deck meals the options are endless and divine.

The camp naturalists are more than just guides. Vigorously trained, the interpretive safari experience is brought to life by the &beyond trained naturalists who have a deep knowledge and understanding of every inhabitant of the forest and the regions flora and fauna. Their sharp understanding of the jungle seasons and animal behaviour truly makes it an unforgettable safari as they involve and engage guests in understanding animal and bird profiles, patterns, movements, calls, signs, body language and the fine nuances of the jungle as a whole. Warm, chatty, genuinely excited about sharing their knowledge and infectiously passionate, they are an integral part of what makes the Taj Safaris experience unique.