Safari and Wildlife Viewing

The heart of the Mahua Kothi experience is the interpretive safari and wildlife excursions brought to the lodge by the expertise of conservation specialists, &beyond. Taj Safari guides undergo an intensive 14-20 week training programme, the first of its kind in India. As a result, these expert naturalists are able to provide wildlife enthusiasts and adventure travellers with distinctive, interpretive wildlife experiences in India which are based on a proven and sustainable eco-tourism model. Their sharp understanding of the jungle seasons and animal behaviour truly makes for a memorable Safari experience.

At Mahua Kothi, Guest Can

Participate in twice-daily jungle safaris in the reserve
Learn about the rich biodiversity of Central India from a &beyond trained naturalist
Observe tigers and other predators from the safety of an elephant’s back
Travel in comfort in a specially designed Tata Open 4x4 safari vehicle

Observe hundreds of unusual bird species
Take guided nature walks
Take a walk or a bicycle ride through a traditional Madhya Pradesh village

Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park, located among the picturesque hills of Vindhya and Satpura, supports one of the highest densities of tiger populations in India. Bandhavgarh’s dramatic landscape comprises tropical forests and woodlands, steep rocky hills, with flat grasslands in the valleys below. An ancient 1,000 year old fort featuring the reclining statue of Lord Vishnu, and the dense Sal jungle combined with the grasslands make Bandhavgarh one of the most beautiful parks in India.

Fauna

Bandhavgarh’s hilly open terrain includes many large grassland meadows that offer good chances of tiger sightings. The density of its big cat population has made Bandhavgarh world famous. The Park is also blessed with a large variety of mammals: leopard, chital (spotted deer), Sambar deer, dhole, nilgai, wild boar, chinkara, sloth bear, rhesus macaque, black faced langur, jungle cat, hyena, porcupine, jackal, fox, and wild dog.

Flora

Bandhavgarh has a large variety of tree cover and excellent tree and foliage concentration. Approximately half the Park is covered with fir trees, while mixed forests are found in the higher reaches of the hills. In the slightly higher elevations, there is a more mixed vegetation of sali, saj, saja, and dhobin, etc. Beautiful stretches of bamboo and grasslands extend to the north. The main wildlife viewing takes place in the core of the Park with its picturesque, wooded hills.

Naturalists

Our naturalists are more than just guides. Vigorously trained by &beyond, they have an encyclopedic knowledge of every inhabitant of the forests, and every secret nook and pathway of the wilderness. Warm, personable, and genuinely excited about sharing their knowledge, they are an integral part of what makes the Taj Safari experience unique.

Safari Vehicles

The custom made Tata TL 4 x 4 single-cab pickup is built for the this tough terrain and has the power and design elements required for safari vehicles. It is powered by a 92bhp, 1948cc turbocharged intercooled engine ideal for driving through the off-road forest landscape. The front cab was removed and a foldable windscreen installed for better vision. The driver’s door was also removed to enable the naturalist to stand up and point out points of interest to guests. A narrow rear door was fabricated on the right side of the pickup bed to allow access to the three rows of bucket seats placed at different levels. The first row sits on the original floor pan while the other two are on raised platforms to enable all guests to have a good all round view. To accommodate the third row of seats, an extension frame of about 33 mm was fabricated and the space below it has been used to make a boot of wire mesh. This boot holds the icebox with all the refreshments and the hot cases for the ‘bush breakfast’ that is served to guests after the game drive.

&beyond

&beyond is the continent’s leading Ecotourism company and one of the most comprehensive safari operators with exceptional lodges and safaris in Africa's most breathtaking wilderness locations. The company is well known for its success in creating a business that has reaped viable financial returns through long-term investment in commercial wildlife conservation. With over 30 years of tour operating and safari planning in Africa, and a strong focus on guided and walking safaris, &beyond portfolio consists of 38 high-end private game lodges and camps across South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana. Some of their internationally acclaimed lodges include Phinda, Londolozi and Ngala in South Africa and Mnemba and Ngorongoro in Tanzania.

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