We landed at Nagpur Airport and headed to National Park, the same jungle which Rudyard Kipling drew it’s inspiration from in the famous Jungle Book, Kanha National Park.
As we were moving closer , the nostalgia was taking over my senses. There was a sudden rush of childhood memories and an unexplainable emotion of seeing Sher Khan.
We had booked our stay at this fine hotel Chitvan Jungle Lodge. It is the best option to stay around the National Park. The resort is built over 13 acres of land and offers cottages and suits stay options . It also houses a huge dining area , backyard garden where vegetables are home grown, play area where you can indulge in indoor games and a pool to relax by during evenings. The rooms are artistically created to camouflage with the surroundings and has a rustic feel to it. We stayed at Prithvi cottage which costs 9000 Rs inclusive of breakfast and dinner .
You can find more information on their website on suits available.
https://www.chitvan.com/accommodation.php
The hotel also arranges safari rides, nature walks and tribal dance for the entertainment of the guest.
We reached the resort after 6 hours of journey and decided to relax on the first day.
Day 2 was kept for safari ride and we took an early morning one which is usually the best time to spot tigers.
The guide was very resourceful. He guided the driver based on bird and langur warning calls about the position of tiger . We finally spotted the elusive animal from a far off distance. The tiger was resting under a tree. It is one of those experiences where you feel your senses leaving you and you draw a complete blank. It was surreal.
Apart from tiger , we spotted monkeys, spotted sheetal, barasingha, eagle , woodpecker and wild boar .
We retired the day with wine and camp fire.
The hotel arranged a morning walk in which the guide told us about the local folklore and local flora. We even spotted footprints of wild boar just outside the resort.
We took a second safari in the afternoon post which we headed back to airport.
Please note it is usually recommended to take 2-3 safari rides to maximise your spotting of tiger.
