I started with my much awaited getaway to Kanha and Pench National Park ( Madhya Pradesh ) on the 28th October 2017. We took an overnight Duronto 12289 train from CST - Nagpur.
On can also take a train/flight to Jabalpur and then drive to Kanha and go ahead to Pench.
I reached Nagpur at 7:30 a.m. After freshening up and breakfast, I started my journey to Kanha National Park which is approx 260 kms from Nagpur.
NOTE : The road conditions are not that great in the Maharashtra region, but as you enter Madhya Pradesh, the roads are beautiful with breathtaking landscapes.
I had booked my stay at Club Mahindra Kanha resort. It was almost 4:30pm and I had 100 more kms to cover. It started getting dark as if it was 6-7 pm. The weather got cooler and so pleasant. I managed to reach before it to got completely dark and I lost my way.
Tip : Mobile networks could go for a toss in these Forest regions. So try reaching your destination before sunset.
On arrival I was greeted by the manager. I checked in and realized the temperatures are dropping considerably. Around 8 pm I decided to move out and try a few local delicacies. After asking a few locals, I was suggested with Maratha - Veg and Non - Veg restaurant, which is more like a dhaba. But the food was delicious. After filling my tummy, I visited a souvenir shop, had a few chats with the owner who apparently was also a guide in Kanha National Park. He shared his stories about Munna - the tiger who has a CAT symbol on his forehead. He is apparently 14 years old and the most photographed tiger in Kanha.
After the warm conversation I decided to get back to the resort as the cold was unbearable.
As planned I was supposed to visit Jabalpur today which is approx 160 kms from Kanha, but decided to drop the plan as the Manager and a few locals told me about the new road construction on that way.
Had a lazy morning, munched onto some breakfast at Maratha ( again) and again visited the souvenir shop. Met the owner cum guide Sanket. Asked him about a few local places for sightseeing. He suggested I rent a gypsy and they will take me around. So we started off by driving into the buffer zone of Kanha National Park (which is the outside area of Core zone).
The forest was beautiful, every 500 meters we would spot barking deers or monkeys or spotted deers. No cars, no pollution, no honking, no concrete jungle.. It was just absolute peace. After driving into the jungle for about an hour we reached Chiraidongri Falls. The falls at this point were small but the guide mentioned it gets gigantic during rains. We hiked around the place. Spent some time soaking in the beauty of the place. And decided to get going to the next destination. We then drove through villages with such cute houses that I couldn't resist but stop and click a few pictures. The villagers were so warm and welcoming, it felt like home ❤️ Capturing those happy faces we moved to a tribal village. Baiga Tribe - a primitive tribal community. Their settlements are deep into forest, far from other local settlements. We took permissions and drove into the village. It was past 5:30 pm. And was quite dark. The village had no electricity. They lit bonfires to deal with the dropping temperatures. The guide helped me communicate with them, as I could hardly understand a word they were saying. It was such a beautiful experience.
After a long day I asked Sanket (guide) to take me to some snacks shop. And he took me to this amazing bhaji (pakoda) place..Ummmmm the moong dal and aloo bhaji were too good.
Heading to the resort, Sanket gave a few insights regarding my Jungle Safari next morning.
Read my next post as I share the details and my experience of the Kanha National Park Safari.
Kudos ~ Travel is Therapy
